Search results
ITHAKA is a nonprofit with a mission to improve access to knowledge and education for people around the world. It offers digital libraries, learning platforms, preservation services, research and advising, and innovation in education.
- Who We Are
As ITHAKA’s Chief Operating Officer, Nathalie Udo oversees...
- Contact Us
Contact Us - Home - ITHAKA
- Careers
ITHAKA is committed to building and sustaining a diverse,...
- Our Inspiration
Debbie Barrett, ITHAKA’s VP of Work Life & Culture, shared...
- Ithaka and Jstor in 2023
At ITHAKA, we have facilitated this digital transformation...
- Mid-2023 Community Letter
In Ithaka S+R, we are also collaborating with colleges and...
- Who We Are
Ithaka is a Greek island that inspired the ancient poet Homer and the modern poet Cavafy. Read the poem that celebrates the journey of life, the adventures, the discoveries, and the wisdom of Ithaka.
- Summary
- Meaning
- Structure
- Literary Devices
- Detailed Analysis
- Historical Context
- Similar Poetry
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
‘Ithaka’ by C. P. Cavafy describes the journey of Odysseus to his home island, Ithaka, and how it can be prolonged for increasing knowledge, wisdom, and wealth. In this poem, the speakerguides the epic hero Odysseus while he sets out for his homeland. Ithaca, being his destination, will always be there. But, the journey that he takes to return ther...
This poem deals with Odysseus’ journey to “Ithaka.” The meaning of this poem is simple yet there are layers of meanings. To begin with, through this piece, the poet signifies the importance of the journey of life. “Ithaka” is a metaphorand it can be comparable to different ideas. Readers can compare it to knowledge or a spiritual abode. Through thi...
This poem consists of five stanzasand the line count in each of them is not regular. The number of lines in a section decreases as a reader progresses through the poem. There is no specific rhyme scheme. It is a free-verse poem that does not resemble conventional diction. Though there is no rhythmic pattern, it does not sound monotonous. Cavafy use...
The title of the poem, ‘Ithaka’ is a metaphor. Cavafy presents it as a spiritual resort of Odysseus. It is his home island as well. In the text, the poet uses some other devices that are not limited to the device mentioned above. He uses repetition in the line, “full of adventure, full of discovery.” Readers can find the use of palilogy here. In th...
Stanza Two
In the second stanza of ‘Ithaka,’ the poet takes a different stand. After advising the hero regarding how to overcome difficulties, he shows how he can make the most of the journey. He hopes there may be several summer mornings to welcome Odysseus. It is important to note here that the “summer morning” is a symbol of life as well as hope. When he enters the foreign harbors may there be a sunlit morning to welcome him. On his way, he may halt at the trading stations of Phoenicia (An ancient ci...
Stanza Three
The third stanza begins with the importance of one’s homeland. According to the speaker, Odysseus should always keep the essence of Ithaka alive in his mind. His country has brought him up and given him the resources that he needed while leaving his home island. One day, he will be arriving there. It is destined to happen. But, hurrying to reach the end before incorporating the lessons learned from the journey, should not be encouraged. The speaker thinks it would be better if his journey las...
Stanza Four
In this section, Cavafy makes it clear why Odysseus should not expect Ithaca to make him rich. According to him, the desire to return to his country has given him a marvelous journey. It is constructive in both ways, intellectually and spiritually. Without the lifelong learning he got from his motherland, he would not have set out for the journey at all. Therefore, he has to give something in return to her, rather than wanting something back. Whatsmore, his motherland does not have anything m...
Cavafy wrote ‘Ithaka’(also pronounced as “Ithaca”) in 1911, inspired by the return journey of Odysseus to his home island, as described in Homer’s Odyssey. This epic describes his travails lasting for 10 years, as he tries to return home after the Trojan War. By returning to Ithaca, he can reassert his place as the rightful king. The poem, ‘Ithaka’...
Here is a list of a few poems that similarly deals with the theme of the journey of life as depicted in C. P. Cavafy’s poem, ‘Ithaka’. 1. Ithacaby Carol Ann Duffy– It’s one of Duffy’s best-known poems. This poem addresses Odysseus or an imaginary modern traveler and signifies the importance of Ithaca. Explore more Carol Ann Duffy poetry. 2. Odysseu...
A poem inspired by Homer's Odyssey, Ithaka explores the journey of life and its lessons. The speaker guides Odysseus to his home island, Ithaka, and advises him to enjoy the adventure and discovery along the way.
- Male
- Poetry Analyst And Editor
Ithaka is an ancient Greek island and the home of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's Odyssey. In this poem, Cavafy advises the traveler to enjoy the journey, not the destination, and to seek adventure, knowledge, and excitement along the way.
People also ask
What is the meaning of the poem Ithaka?
What if I set out for Ithaka?
Where can I find Ithaka?
What does 'Ithaka' mean?
Ithaka is a famous poem by the modern Greek poet Cavafy, who advises a traveler to enjoy the journey rather than the destination. The poem draws on the myth of Odysseus and his long and adventurous homecoming to Ithaka.
Poem analysis of C. P. Cavafy’s Ithaka through the review of literary techniques, poem structure, themes, and the proper usage of quotes.
Ithaca, Ithaki or Ithaka (/ ˈ ɪ θ ə k ə /; Greek: Ιθάκη, Ithaki; Ancient Greek: Ἰθάκη, Ithakē [i.tʰá.kɛː]) is a Greek island located in the Ionian Sea, off the northeast coast of Kefalonia and to the west of continental Greece.
