Ithaca

Ithaca is the Greek kingdom of which Ulysses is the ruler. it is characterized as a land of "barren crags," not a particularly rich or wealthy land (2). In addition to its rocky mountains, it contains plentiful oceanfront land and a harbor. Its people are described as rugged, poorly educated, and difficult to rule. By contrast, in The Odyssey, the land of Ithaca is idealized as Ulysses consistently longs to return home.

The Sea

Ulysses can glimpse the sea from his home of Ithaca, but he also reflects on his previous time spent in this setting to a much greater extent. His voyage through the Grecian isles is described as one of both hardship and wonder. He emphasizes the many different places he has been and the diversity of experiences he had there, although he does not speak of any in particular detail. The sea is also a site...