What are the major themes in the Odyssey?

Question

I am doing an essay relating the odyssey to family events and i have run out of ideas.

Answer 1

Perseverance
Penelope and Odysseus especially embody the theme of perseverance. One of the reasons that they are well matched is that they are both survivors. Odysseus has been absent for 20 years, 10 at the Trojan War and 10 more in his journey home. According to the most aggressive of the suitors, Antinous, Penelope has persevered against the invaders for about four years, playing one against another and confronting them with cunning, most notably exemplified in her ruse of weaving a shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes.

Odysseus’ perseverance is legendary, especially in the section of the epic involving his wanderings. Through the use of guile, courage, strength, and determination, he endures. Perhaps the most difficult test of his perseverance as well as his loyalty is the seven years he spends as Calypso’s captive, a situation he can neither trick nor fight his way out.

Vengeance
Poseidon and Odysseus are the most noticeable representatives of the theme of vengeance. In order to escape from the cave of the Cyclops (Polyphemus), Odysseus blinds the one-eyed giant Unfortunately, the Cyclops is the sea god Poseidon’s son; Odysseus has engaged a formidable enemy.

Odysseus’ vengeance is formidable when it is directed toward the suitors and his disloyal servants. He demonstrates impressive tolerance as he endures, in disguise, the insults and assaults of the suitor Antinous, the goatherd Melanthius, and the maidservant Melantho, for example.

Appearance versus Reality
The theme of appearance versus reality is at the core of the relationship between Athena and Odysseus. Athena is the maven of makeovers. Her most memorable illusions in The Odyssey are disguises for herself or Odysseus.

Answer 2

this site might help!
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/themes.html

Answer 3

how he returns home