Come+Home+-+The+Odyssey

//The Odyssey// and //The Iliad// are both epic poems of Greek mythology. They both share similar concepts, and //The Odyssey// occurs after //The Iliad//. Both stories show how much the Greek Gods influenced the mortal realm. The Gods interfered with the Trojan War, which prolonged the time it took for there to be a victor. Poseidon prevented Odysseus from returning home. Although the Gods were supposed to be like parents, since they created the humans, they didn't see a problem with using them. It seemed like it didn't matter to them if a human died or if they caused extreme agony to one. Although they were superior to humans, their attitudes matched those of humans. They could be just as greedy, stubborn and irrational.

media type="custom" key="25956218" This song starts off peaceful and beautiful, but then slowly becomes powerful and dramatic. I'd imagine the sirens to sing like this.

media type="custom" key="25956236" The mermaids in Pirates of the Caribbean reminded me of the sirens in //the Odyssey//. The mermaids are gorgeous and beguiling. They appear to be harmless, and entice sailors by singing. When the sailors are close enough, they attack and devour their victims. Do the sirens in the book actually contain knowledge? Perhaps they do know the secrets of the world, but the sailors are murdered after hearing them. I also think that the song might change depending on who is listening. Odysseus wanted knowledge, another sailor could want power so they would sing about granting him that instead.

I Imagine this song from both Odysseus', Penelope's and Telemachus' views while Odysseys was trying to return to Ithaca.
 * Come Home- One Republic**
 * http://tinyurl.com/6afx4ft**

//The first verse makes me think of Telemachus as he waits for his father to returns. He knows that he is young and inexperienced, but has no father to guide him. He misses his father dearly, and doesn't know that he is a lot like him. Telemachus thinks Odysseus is in the wrong place because the right place would be home with him and his mother.//
 * Hello world**
 * Hope you're listening**
 * Forgive me if I’m young**
 * For speaking out of turn**
 * There’s someone I’ve been missing**
 * I think that they could be**
 * The better half of me**
 * They’re in the wrong place trying to make it right**
 * But I’m tired of justifying**
 * So I say to you..**

//All Telemachus has ever known is the fight to be with his father. He must deal with the crudeness of the suitors as they mock him for being weak. He is supposed to be the man of the house, but is still treated with no respect. His mother also must deal with the pain of her husband being away. Odysseus left the day Telemachus was born, and she had to raise him all by herself.//
 * //[Chorus]//**
 * Come home**
 * Come home**
 * Cause I’ve been waiting for you**
 * For so long**
 * For so long**
 * Right now there's a war between the vanities**
 * But all I see is you and me**
 * The fight for you is all I’ve ever known**
 * So come home**
 * Oh**

//Penelope waited twenty years for her husband to return. He is her other half, the man she adores with all her heart. She never cheated on him and was loyal to him the entire time. She needs him to come home, and she is almost about to give up all hope, but finally he returns.//
 * //[Interlude]//**
 * Everything I can’t be**
 * Is everything you should be**
 * And that’s why I need you here**
 * Everything I can’t be**
 * Is everything you should be**
 * And that’s why I need you here**
 * So hear this now...**

I think a major theme in //the Odyssey// is the importance of family. No matter what, family is here for us. Friends will come and go, but family is the one thing that never gives up. We love each other unconditionally and for forever. Odysseus fought for hard ten years at sea to get back home. He faced terrible beasts like cyclopes and cannibalistic giants. he even fought against the fury of the Gods. He had a choice to stay with Calypso, who was a beautiful and powerful goddess. However he chose to be with his wife Penelope. Penelope could have given up hope for her husband, and married one of the suitors. The suitors were all handsome and good warriors, but she stayed true the entire time. Family stays together no matter what, and never leaves anyone behind. //The Odyssey// might be a myth, but it symbolizes what some people in this world actually do experience. Wars do occur and can last for an extremely long time. Even if there isn't an active war, soldiers are stationed in different countries. Children and spouses of military soldiers have to deal with being away from them for a long time. It is a constant struggle and fight. I couldn't even imagine the sorrow they must feel. Penelope never knew if Odysseus would come home, just like no-one knows if their beloved ones will come home from war.