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Essay / Humanity and Craftsmanship in Homer's Odyssey
The purpose of The Odyssey is to show that no matter who the person is, no one can do everything themselves. Homer illustrates that yes, a person must be physically and mentally capable, but when the odds are against them, they will need help from others and a little luck. Homer shows that Odysseus has the motivation by showcasing his love of family, and that he is more than capable, by showing his cunning. But Homer knows that being qualified and having the drive doesn't always guarantee success. This is the reason why Homer shows hospitality and divine intervention. Hospitality means the acts of kindness of others, and divine intervention shows random luck. And even though this book was written centuries ago, the main message of this book still applies to the modern world. For example, in corporate America, to succeed and advance in the system, a person not only needs to be able to do their job, but they also need motivation, connections, and just a little bit of luck. Although one would think that a man like Odysseus would be able to overcome any obstacle on his own, he ultimately also needed the help of others and divine intervention to return home, proving that no one can accomplish everything on their own.