What does this excerpt indicate about the purpose of The Odyssey? Is the work’s purpose to inform--to teach history or to serve as a reflection of ancient Greek culture? Or is the purpose to entertain--to tell an exciting and memorable tale? Could the purpose be to serve as a moral compass, to guide listeners and readers as they make their way in the world? What contribution does the character of Odysseus make to the overall purpose and meaning of the text? Address these questions in an argumentative essay that makes a claim about what you think the main purpose of The Odyssey is. Support your opinion or point of view with relevant textual evidence. Maintain a formal style and an objective tone in your writing, and provide a conclusion that follows from and supports the argument you presented.