The Odyssey by Homer
The Odyssey is a prime example of a character becomes cut off from his "home". Odysseus has left his hometown of Ithaca and is thought to be dead. Although he is still alive, he is trapped on the island of Ogygia by the nymph Calypso. He is then rescued by Hermes and begins a journey home where he is reunited with his wife Penelope and son Telemachus.
Odysseus's experience while on exile is alienating because he was on this great free journey where he got to do lots of things (visiting the land of the Lotus Eaters and visiting Hades to see Tiresias) to where he is being held against his will by a women who he has no love for. He really truly just wants to go home to his loving wife and son. He also has some idea that there must be some power rifts going on with him being gone for so long which could threaten his power and his families power. He also knows that there is nothing he can do to control anything because he is being held against his will.
Odysseus's experience while on exile where enriching because he got to experience many new things, visit new places, and meet new people. He also got a closer relationship with the god Athena. Odysseus experiences illuminate this work as a whole because the whole story is about Odysseus experiences while on exile and how he ultimately reunites with his wife and son and rules his kingdom again.
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