The poem “Ithaka” describes a hopeful journey, using imagery to visualise the adventures taken, “to buy fine things, mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony.” It describes the journey Odysseus has taken, and can be interpreted as Odysseus telling the story to other people who will embark on a journey similar, such as to Telemachus. Furthermore, descriptive words have been used in order to give the readers the sensation of beginning this journey, using different senses such as smell “sensual perfume” to do this.

Moreover, the last line of the poem says “these Ithakas” which illustrates that Ithaka does not only represent a destination in this poem, however it is also a representation of the journey. Demonstrating that the journey is almost a representation of life, as it illustrates the hardship and the victories along the way, however overcoming them in the end. Odysseus goes to Ithaca knowing he will die there, and knowing the situation.