Most of us have experienced Homer in high school or perhaps college, so this story should not hold any surprises. Though I did not expect them, I found a few new things to share.

The trope is a familiar one. The hero is on a journey rife with challenges on a path to love and riches. It sounded like a Dora the Explorer episode to me. Every time the gods came to help, I heard the map song and every time they tried to thwart Odysseus, I heard that shaker sound of Swiper. But Homer brings more than just the original Dora concept and a captivating narrative. He describes the self-interest, loyalty, and resilience found in human nature.

If we all acted in our own self-interest, the world would be easier to predict, but it would be a sad world. The suitors act in their self-interest using societal norms to justify eating and drinking Penelope and the family out of everything. There is nothing progressive here; they treat the disguised Odysseus as inferior because he looked inferior. The suitors do what they can, not what they should. Vengeance is their reward. While few of us are completely altruistic, we must remember the moral aspect of our conduct over the legal.

Though many thought Odysseus would not return, their loyalty remained. Others, the suitors again, never considered the needs of their sovereign or his family. It was the great test, the disguise enabled by the patroness Athena, which showed true motivations. It was easy to see why loyalty was strongest with Penelope and Telemachus, being the wife and son, but why did Homer vest the same in lowly servants? The swineherd and old maid held considerable loyalty to their king. Might this be the loyalty we show our leaders when they care and develop us?

The last theme I took away was that of resilience. It is abundant in this poem. Failure and setback followed one another through both Telemachus’ and Odysseus’ journeys. Neither gave up hope despite the challenges or the time that passed. The fight against the suitors left the town divided but Odysseus and family pressed on…and were rewarded with peace brokered by the gods.

I really was not expecting to gain much while listening to this classic. I intended to check the box, “Yes, I’ve read Homer,” but I came away with a few gems. It spurred thought, contemplation, and a bit of emotion…what more can you ask for? The moral of this story: pick up a classic and give it a look. It could surprise you.

Lieutenant Colonel Christopher L’Heureux is an Armor Officer currently assigned as an instructor at the School of Command Preparation. He commanded 2d Squadron, 2d US Cavalry in Vilseck, Germany.