Editing Odyssey (section)

=== Omens ===
[[File:Odysseus and Euryclea by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein.jpg|thumb|upright|''Odysseus and Eurycleia'' by [[Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein]]]]

Omens occur frequently throughout the ''Odyssey''. Within the epic poem, they frequently involve birds.{{sfn|Thornton|1970|pp=52–57}} According to Thornton, most crucial is who receives each omen and in what way it manifests. For instance, bird omens are shown to Telemachus, Penelope, Odysseus, and the suitors.{{sfn|Thornton|1970|pp=52–57}} Telemachus and Penelope receive their omens as well in the form of words, sneezes, and dreams.{{sfn|Thornton|1970|pp=52–57}} However, Odysseus is the only character who receives thunder or lightning as an omen.{{sfn|Homer|1975|loc=20.103–104}}{{sfn|Homer|1975|loc=21.414}} She highlights this as crucial because lightning, as a symbol of Zeus, represents the kingship of Odysseus.{{sfn|Thornton|1970|pp=52–57}} Odysseus is associated with Zeus throughout both the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey.''{{sfn|Kundmueller|2013|p=7}}

Omens are another example of a type scene in the ''Odyssey.'' Two important parts of an omen type scene are the ''recognition'' of the omen, followed by its ''interpretation''.{{sfn|Thornton|1970|pp=52–57}} In the ''Odyssey'', all of the bird omens—with the exception of the first—show large birds attacking smaller birds.{{sfn|Thornton|1970|pp=52–57}}{{sfn|Edwards|1992|pp=284–330}} Accompanying each omen is a wish which can be either explicitly stated or only implied.{{sfn|Thornton|1970|pp=52–57}} For example, Telemachus wishes for vengeance{{sfn|Homer|1975|loc=2.143–145}} and for Odysseus to be home,{{sfn|Homer|1975|loc=15.155–159}} Penelope wishes for Odysseus' return,{{sfn|Homer|1975|loc=19.136}} and the suitors wish for the death of Telemachus.{{sfn|Homer|1975|loc=20.240–243}}