This list of important quotations from The Odyssey by Homer will help you work with the essay topics and thesis statements above by allowing you to support your claims. All of the important quotes from The Odyssey listed here correspond, at least in some way, to the paper topics above and by themselves can give you great ideas for an essay by offering quotes and explanations about other themes, symbols, imagery, and motifs than those already mentioned and explained.  Aside from the thesis statements above, these quotes alone can act as essay questions or study questions as they are all relevant to the text in an important way. All quotes contain page numbers as well. Look at the bottom of the page to identify which edition of The Odyssey by Homer they are referring to.

“Just think of all the hospitality we enjoyed at the hands of other men before we made it home, and god save us from such hard treks in years to come. Quick, unhitch their team. And bring them in, strangers, guests, to share our flowing feast.” (Book 4, ll. 38-42)

“He's plotting a way to journey home at last; he's never at a loss.” (Book 1, l. 237)

“Tell me about yourself now. You're truly Odysseus' son?…. Uncanny resemblance.'” (Book 1, ll. 239-241)

“[W]e have still not reached the end of our trials.  One more labor lies in storeóboundless, laden with danger, great and long, and I must brave it out from start to finish. ” (Book 23, ll. 282-285)

“[T]he gods are working now in strange new ways.” (Book 7, l. 236)

“You've counseled me with so much kindness now, like a father to a son. I won't forget a word. But come, stay longer,so you can bathe and rest and lift your spirits, then go back to your ship, delighted with a gift, a prize of honor, something rare and fine as a keepsake from myself. The kind of gift a host will give a stranger, friend to friend.” (Book 1, ll. 352-360)

“Not one could equal Penelope for intrigue, but in this case she intrigued beyond all limits.” (Book 2, ll. 134-135)

“What good sense resided in your Penelope. The fame of her great virtue will never die. The immortal gods will lift a song for all mankind, a glorious song in praise of self-possessed Penelope.” (Book 24, ll. 213; 216-218)

“And tell me this: I must be absolutely sure. This place I've reached, is it truly Ithaca?” (Book 24, ll. 286-286)

“I took the new arrival under my own roof, I gave him a hero's welcome, treated him in style. And I gave my friend some gifts to fit his station.” (Book 24, ll. 300-303)

Be sure to also check out the Paperstarter entry on The Iliad, also by Homer

Reference:   Homer. The Odyssey. New York: Penguin, 2006.

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