...In the Greek literature of mythology, we have examined Odysseus. Students and scholars alike debate weather Odysseus is a true hero, as read in The Odyssey. There is many supporting evidence to prove all sides of the debate and opinions held of Odysseus. It is of my opinion that Odysseus is a hero for his homeland, his family, the Greek people, and for us to learn from to this day. To support my reasons for my topic I want to explore Odysseus in the physical strength he had to overcome extreme conditions that he faced on his journey. For example, during one part of his voyage, Odysseus came upon the Sirens. He knew that if he gave into the temptation of their song, he would be killed. Odysseus, had made wax for ear plugs for his crew to use...
Words: 1203 - Pages: 5
...After a vast hero had seen the remarkable birth of his child, he had embarked on a journey with his men to battle in a brutal and callous war. Embarking on his vast journey, he had left his faithful wife and newly born child to fight in a vicious war. The Odyssey is a Greek epic which captures the boundless journey of Odysseus, as he strives to return to Ithaca after battling in the Trojan War. Homer had been a prominent writer who had expressed the vast legends and myths of Greek gods and goddesses and captured Odysseus’ endless adventure, the challenges and temptations he had experienced throughout his journey, and the reflection of his most exceptional and imperfect qualities. As Odysseus had embarked on an endless journey filled with misery and agony, to battle in the Trojan War, he had been greatly praised and celebrated by many Ithacans and his homeland. However, although Odysseus had been greatly praised and portrayed as an outstanding individual and king throughout Homer’s epic, his actions and desires had undoubtedly reflected the worst qualities and aspects of his character. As Odysseus had embarked on his vast and extensive journey from Ithaca, he had been disloyal and faithless to his wife Penelope, who had been sincere, waiting years for his arrival...
Words: 796 - Pages: 4
...The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer telling the story of the King of Ithaca. Odysseus displays the traits of a true hero; strength, nobility, confidence, courage, and the love of glory. He gains fame through his journeys, victories and skill. As with all Homer created heroes, Odysseus possesses pride which causes him to do very unwise things. The Iliad is another epic poem written by Homer entertaining us with a story about Achilles. Achilles was the greatest warrior in the Achaean army. The most significant flaw of Achilles is his excessive pride. He is willing to subvert the good of the whole army and to endanger the lives of those who are closest to him to achieve emotional blackmail. The plot of the Odyssey is Odysseus’ 10 year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. While Odysseus battles mythical creatures and faces the wrath of the gods, his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus fight off suitors or fakers trying to steal Penelope's hand from Odysseus and Ithaca's throne long enough for Odysseus to return. The Odyssey ends with Odysseus winning a contest to prove his identity, killing the suitors, and retaking the throne of Ithaca for himself. The plot of the Iliad is about the final year of the Trojan War, a conflict in which Greek warriors sailed the Aegean (Turkey) and surrounded the fortress of Troy for ten years, three millennia ago. The plot also includes the greek hero...
Words: 444 - Pages: 2
...Folktale Motifs of the Nausikaa Episode in The Odyssey In Book VI of The Odyssey, the tale of princess Nausikaa exhibits the folklore motifs of struggle, lust, persuasion, marriage, determinedness, and gender roles that are historically valued in Western culture. People perceive the episode of Nausikaa and the Phaiakians in different ways. Book VI is a wonderful representation of a "fairy-tale" encounter that simply allows those who are involved to experience hope and change. In the Nausikaa episode, innocence is almost lost, persuasion becomes a method for salvation, kindness is overabundant, and genuineness to the self is of great importance. Folktales have been used throughout history to pass along customs, beliefs, and ways of life. They have influenced society's structure and development, along with metaphorically reminding and teaching people about how things were in the past and should be in the future. In Book VI of The Odyssey, Odysseus is washed onto the shore of the island of the Phaiakians, is wakened by the princess Nausikaa and her maidens, and his encounters are filled with folktale motifs. These motifs are cliché elements that constitute the Nausikaa episode, are defined in nonfictional culture, and express the themes of persuasion, eroticism, forbidden beauty, social norms, and rebirth. John Arnott MacCulloch, a Scottish author whom wrote many works on mythology and folklore, describes folktales and relates their use in culture and The Odyssey's Book...
Words: 1624 - Pages: 7
...constituent attributes of a Greek Epic Hero? Explicate with reference to Odysseus and Achilles. The definition of an epic hero is very wide and varied. It includes a lot of attributes and criterions, but for a particular hero to reach the epic stature, it isn’t really necessary to fulfill all the demands and to come up to all the standards. In a very conventional sense, an epic hero is supposed to possess these qualities or is supposed to come up to these standards: 1. Is an important figure from history or legend. 2. Is usually favored by Gods or even partially descended from Gods i.e. semi-divine nature. 3. Takes part in a cyclical journey or quest, faces adversaries and returns home with significant transformation. 4. Illustrates traits, performs deeds and exemplifies certain morals that are valued and held dear by the society/ culture from which the hero comes. 5. Usually embodies cultural and religious beliefs of the people. 6. Has no superpowers, but is smart, brave and has fears too; which he must overcome to protect his friends, family and / or nation. 7. Can also be a warrior of some sort who performs extra-ordinary tasks that most find difficult. 8. Is also a polished speaker who can address councils of chieftains or elders with eloquence and confidence. Literature is replete with examples of epic heroes. Classical Greek literature in particular has produced some of the most famous epic heroes. The epic hero in Greek literature is best...
Words: 2029 - Pages: 9
...Odyssey The Iliad and the Odyssey are two of the world masterpieces that have survived the times . Admired through the ages as the ultimate epics Homer 's Iliad and the Odyssey , was venerated by the ancient Greeks themselves as the cornerstone of their civilization (Nagy , Online . The two epics are the portrayal of early Greek civilization with the spotlight focused on heroism and the heroes ' struggles and triumph Early Greece likewise was depicted in the two epics as a people who believed in the power of the immortals which was clearly shown in how br the gods and goddesses ran the lives of the characters The Iliad and Odyssey are both colorful and dramatic . Not only was Homer able to use vivid s of the different war episodes but he was also successful in portraying supernatural beings that Odysseus met during his journey back home . These styles of Homer likewise characterized the people during the time that the epics were written A very diverse Greek culture was shown in the Iliad and the Odyssey Just like what was previously mentioned , people in ancient Greece revered their heroes . The people then consider men or women who were endowed with superhuman abilities which were believed to have come from the gods and the goddess as their heroes . These heroes likewise embodied the character of the Greek people as a whole . Homer used the different characters in the two epic to give a picture of how society and the people was during the earlier times Achilles was regarded...
Words: 1411 - Pages: 6
...years. The city was conquered and destroyed by a Greek army that was led by a king named Agamemnon. According to Homers the Iliad, the Trojan War started because of the abduction of Helen, who was a queen from Sparta. The king of Troy Priam, his son Paris who was also prince of Troy was behind the abduction. The Trojan War was thought to have taken place during the Bronze Age, which was around 1200B.C. What we knew it as was Myceanaean that spread through Greece. This civilization had also developed a system of writing (LIVESCIENCE: The Legend of Troy). In Homer’s the Iliad it takes place in the tenth year of the Trojan War....
Words: 1140 - Pages: 5
...A hero is defined as many things. One who is selfless, one who shows compassion, one who not only leads others into battle but fights alongside them. In the greek parables, The Odyssey, by Homer and in Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles a hero is described as someone who perseveres on even when burdened by the weight of the unknown. The hero of The Odyssey is named Odysseus, a young man who overcame many trials to get back to his home in Ithaca, and the hero of Oedipus Rex is King Oedipus, a ruler who has his people's best interest at heart. The protagonists in these tales are both reputed to have heroic qualities and yet how they dealt with being receptive to new ideas, their humility, and their relationship with a higher power was what led each to...
Words: 1234 - Pages: 5
...In the words of George Elliot, “It is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view.” In the case of Homer's two epics, this quote holds true. It shows how Homer is able to present many points of views. Both the Iliad, and the Odyssey show how the lives of Achilles and Odysseus represent the crucial differences between a true hero, and a strong soldier. He shows their different views on honor, and how they view the society they live in. In these two epics, Homer uses specific events in the story to define the characters' views of their humanity as exemplified by their actions. Stereotypical heroes are thought of as being perfect beings. Yet, all heroes are flawed. The sign of a true hero is one who overcomes adversity,...
Words: 758 - Pages: 4
...Both the Odyssey and the Aeneid describe the journeys of the two Greek heroes –Odysseus and Aeneas, as they struggle towards their goal through the crises and deadly situations caused by the wrath of the gods upon them. In the Odyssey, we see that Poseidon (god of the sea/earth shaker) has a grudge against Odysseus while Athena, god of wisdom, aids him throughout his journey. Similarly in the Aeneid, we see that goddess Juno dislikes Aeneas as he is destined to destroy the city of Carthage loved by Juno during his mission to find a new land- Rome, whereas Aeneas’ mother Venus aids him. In these epics, many points of similarity and differences arise such as the characters of the heroes, how their journeys are delayed by women obsessed with love, what they are destined for and how they achieve the final goal in the end of the epic. The very first similarity we see in both the epics is that Virgil starts his poem in the same way Homer does, that is they both refer to Muses to sing about the epic heroes of Greek mythology- Odysseus and Aeneas. Virgil again refers to Muses for the second time in book six of the Aeneid. Another similarity is the assembly of gods in Olympus described by both Virgil and Homer. As seen in the Odyssey, Odysseus’ character is clever and smart one. He is a learner and later becomes self controlling. His ‘never give up’ attitude shows that he can go through any situation to get what he wants. Also, his character is full of twists and turns. While in the Aeneid...
Words: 1431 - Pages: 6
...In the epic “The Illustrated Odyssey”, by Joel Skidmore, and in the movie “The Odyssey”, directed by Andre Konchalovisky, they both focus on Odysseus’s 20-year journey battle in the Trojan war and his return home to Ithaca. First and foremost, in his absence and warnings to move on, Odysseus family remained loyal and true. His wife Penelope and his son Telemachus stayed loyal in many ways. Even though Odysseus was gone for 20 long and hard years, he had no reason to be concerned about his family. His son, his wife, and the great Greek hero himself showed a huge theme of loyalty throughout both the movie and the book. To begin with, Penelope was very loyal to Odysseus in many ways. Even after her own husband had demands for her to move...
Words: 620 - Pages: 3
...ancient Greek culture is polytheistic, and the new Christian faith, now the official religion of Rome, is monotheistic, this is not the main religious difference of the two cultures. Odysseus lives in a time, when gods are like people; Augustine lives in a time, when the Christian god is different; and He is expects people to be more like Him. Homer reflects the religious beliefs of the ancient world, while writing about “the heroic lives of the protagonists, not the rightness of the god’s plans for them” (DeVaney-Lovinguth). The Odyssey focuses on one man who survives war, personal tragedy, and human, as well as supernatural enemies. The story is, in the words of Athena, about “godlike Odysseus” (Book I, Line 71). But, Augustine...
Words: 703 - Pages: 3
...Odysseus and Aeneas are characters created by Homer and Virgil. Homer’s character and story was constructed about eight hundred years prior to Virgil’s, but both stories center around one thing. The Trojan War and what happened after the fall of Troy is the basis for what happens in both stories. On the winning side you have Odysseus, and on the losing side you have Aeneas. This can be paralleled by the authors of these epics. Homer is a Greek which is the winning side, and Virgil the Roman is on the losing side. The Odyssey features Odysseus who is a Greek warrior that is trying to make his way home after a triumphant victory against the Trojans. The Aeneid features Aeneas who is trying to find a new home after the destruction of Troy. Both of these characters have something in common here; they are brave warriors that are trying to find their way home. There are some immense differences between the two though. The crafty Odysseus’s devises plans that involve cunning and plotting. He...
Words: 442 - Pages: 2
... English 1A November 4, 2014 The Odyssey The Odyssey, a great epic, told us the story of Odysseus and his adventures. Its characters , their problems, obstacles and their morals weave their way into our live as well. The morals and beliefs of the Greeks represent to us through stories and incorporate themselves into our mind. I believe the Odyssey to be an allegory, meaning it has two parts of interpretation to it. The obstacles, problems and goals relate to our modern day lives. It symbolizes the events that occur in our life and how we react to them just shown in the Odyssey. Odysseus and his trails put a representation of obstacles that ourselves face in our present day life. The journey to the Land of the Dead where the dead receive reciprocity was not so much a test for Odysseus as it is an epiphany. His mortality is put in context as he watches shades of warriors, comrades, legendary figures, and even his own mother. To followed instruction, he must speak to Tiresias, the blind seer from Thebes, before he can allow his mother or any other to approach. Then, he drank the blood to temporarily revitalize the deads , so they can communicated with Odysseus to speak the only truth. First, Tiresias warn him when he goes to the island of Helios his crew shouldn’t eat his cattle. If they does, they would die. At last...
Words: 642 - Pages: 3
...Gilgamesh and Odysseus were two heroes from two completely different time periods that were both in search of the meaning of life, or what could be done in a lifetime. Gilgamesh and the Odyssey are both categorized as hero myths. This is because both hero's go through growth and change throughout out their conquests. The epics that the two characters are featured in Gilgamesh, was developed from early Mesopotamia and the Odyssey in early Greece. Gilgamesh was a very popular and it was very valuable to the historian of Mesopotamian culture because it reveals much about the religious world, such as their attitudes toward the gods, how a hero was defined and regarded, views about death and friendship. The Odyssey was also very popular in its era. It was set in ancient Greece where in its culture; mythology was the heart of everyday life. Gilgamesh, the hero from the epic Gilgamesh, was the historical king of Uruk in Babylonia, on the river Euphrates. He lived about 2700B.C. Odysseus, the hero from the epic the Odysseus, was the ruler of the island kingdom of Ithaca. He was one of the most prominent Greek leaders of the Trojan War. Both of these men were granted certain strengths, Gilgamesh had physical, while Odysseus had mental strengths. The journeys of Gilgamesh and Odysseus are two incredible stories written long ago; these two heroes have many similarities, but also many differences. The differences are between these two great heroes are slim, but significant. Gilgamesh was...
Words: 2517 - Pages: 11
