Odysseuss Bow
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Throughout many stories in literature, audiences can locate symbolism, one of the major ways authors enhance their tales. In many stories, writers use the character's actions, possessions and animals as ways to show symbolism. In Homer's The Odyssey, translated by W.H.D. Rouse, the author uses many different objects to show symbolism, including Odysseus's bow, brought forward near the end of the book. This object represents friendship, honor for Odysseus's country, manhood and power.
Odysseus, the main character in the story, possesses a very special bow given to him from a friend who Hercules killed which mirrors friendship and since Odysseus would only use his bow to fight for his own country, the bow represents honor. For example Penelope, while she removes the bow from it's shining case, expresses that Odysseus "treasured it in memory of a well loved friend", Ithopa (234). When ever Odysseus uses his bow, that his dead friend gave him as a present, he remembers their friendship and all the good times they experienced together...