The epic poem entitled The Odyssey, written by the poet Homer, is one of the many classic stories of ancient Greek culture. It tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey home from the war with Troy, which occurred in Homer's other Greek epic, The Iliad. Odysseus faces many trials and missions on his journey home and to take back his kingdom from the suitors, such as meeting the witch Circe, blinding a Cyclops named Polyphemus, dealing with Poseidon, and being with the goddess Calypso. The poem has many themes that are relevant to it. One of these themes is the redemption factor. Redemption is usually a typical topic in any type of religion, such as Greek religion and Christian religion. The story of Odysseus has an underlying message that he receives redemption from the Greek gods. The Odyssey is a story of redemption because it is about Odysseus being forgiven by the gods after having to go through many trials and wrongs to rightfully claim his wife and the throne of Ithaca. What exactly does the term redemption mean? M. Wayne Clark, in his editorial entitled “Redemption: Becoming More Human” in Expository Times, lays out his thoughts and ideas on what this word really means. Clark says this word has several specific meanings. One of these is that "'redemption is salvation from states or circumstances that destroy the value of human existence itself'" (76). This means that this term is about being forgiven for past sins and crimes that someone has committed. It is known that sins and crimes are very fragile to someone's right to exist as a human being. Clark says another way redemption can be defined is that it is a type of forgiveness that removes the sha...... middle of paper......ne and kills any suitors who have taken advantage of his wife Penelope. hospitality for many years. This story shows that the gods of any religion, such as the Catholic faith and the Greek religion, show forgiveness for almost everything. Redemption is something we all receive. Works Cited Clark, M. Wayne. “Redemption: Becoming More Human.” Editorial. Exhibition Times December 2003: 76-81. EBSCOhost. Network. February 13, 2011. Gabriel, Andrew K. “Contemporary Images for Communicating Atonement and Redemption: Liberator and Lover.” McMaster Journal of Theology & Ministry 10.(2008): 53-68. EBSCOhost. Network. February 15, 2011.Halkin, Hillel. "Sailing to Ithaca." Editorial. Commentary November 2005: 69-76. EBSCOhost. Network. 13 February 2011. Homer. "The Odyssey." The Norton Anthology: World Literature. 2nd ed. vol. 1. New York: WWNorton &, 2009. 274-563. Press.