...In Homer’s The Odyssey, Homer presents a perplexing and complex dilemma revolving around the ambiguity and problematic language used to describe the ideology of justice and vengeance. Moreover, it is the returning of equivalent harm for harm that seems to run through the heart of the archaic Greek culture that allows for crimes to merge with and become their own punishment. The relationship between crime and punishment is a tight linkage that seems to be arranged by Homer in an attempt to justify the moral positions as well as the actions of many major characters throughout The Odyssey. Distinctively, the role of justice and vengeance can be exhibited in the interactions between Polyphemus, Odysseus, Poseidon and the suitors. The conflict...
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...In the film, Odyssey, the directors utilize characterization, setting, and music to enhance the audience’s experience and portray the theme of Homer’s epic tale. Characterization is one of the most significant tools that the directors used. It compelled the audience to feel sympathy towards the characters and stressed the most prominent theme, vengeance. The directors used emotional scenes in which the characters appeared to the audience as relatable. In the film, the directors redid the part of the text where it said, “Then throwing his arms around this marvel of a father Telemachus began to weep. Salt tears rose from the wells of longing in both men”. Instead of using narration, the directors used indirect characterization to convey the...
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...The idea of revenge is one closely tied with that of honor. In many instances the two are intertwined in a seemingly delicate balance. On the one hand the idea that one must uphold their honor is a persuasive argument, yet a person pursuing a path to maintain their integrity and status can often become swayed and have their actions dictated by the feelings of revenge. In the case of the Homer’s epic The Odyssey translated by Robert Fitzgerald, we see these two ideas clashing on a canvas filled with mystical creatures and legendary challenges. Odysseus wants to maintain the honor of his family and yet some might argue that that his actions are motivated by revenge. His actions, abrupt as they may have been, were motivated by a keen sense of justice and desire...
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...surmount. Heroes are everywhere. Odysseus is the hero of the “Odyssey” by a blind poet, Homer. Odysseus fights in Trojan War for 10 years and it took him another decade for him to get home. He had to pass many hardships to get to his homeland Ithaca. The three main stages in Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey” that exemplified in Homer’s The Odyssey are the crossing of the first threshold,the road of trials, and freedom to live. For example, Joseph Campbell describes that the crossing of the first threshold is the hero which is Odysseus who is accompanied by the guide which is Athena, the goddess of wisdom goes beyond the boundaries of his or his everyday, enter the wilderness, and has the first encounter with...
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...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...
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...direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination”, in reference to completing journeys. These words are relevant to Homer’s epic The Odyssey, and Kira Salak’s travel memoir The Cruelest Journey, where they both adapted to grueling situations during strenuous journeys. In Homer's piece, the protagonist Odysseus, embarked on a 10 year journey to his home and family in Ithaca, upon arrival he faces challenges to reclaim his family and kingdom. Likewise, In Salak’s memoir The Cruelest Journey, she reveals her arduous trip along the Niger River. Proving abilities to themselves, fulfilling a goal, and proving others wrong helped drive Odysseus and Salak...
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...Bailey Ormond Friday, October 6th “Disguise Is Necessary” 1 In The Odyssey of Homer, disguise plays an influential role in the development of the plot and Odysseus’ return to Ithaca. In Book 1 of The Odyssey, Athena uses disguise to influence Telemachus. Athena comes to Ithaca disguised as Mentes, an old friend of Odysseus. Mentes convinces Telemachus to go search for his long lost father (1:271-279).1 Athena’s use of disguise in the opening book puts faith in Telemachus that his father may still be alive; this is very important for the development of the plot because Telemachus was on the cusp of giving up hope that Odysseus would never return home. The departure of Telemachus also reveals the character of the suitors as they plan to murder him upon his return to Ithaca. The suitors have already been characterized as greedy and disrespectful but their plot to kill Telemachus is evidence of how despicable they truly are. In Book 6, Athena uses disguise to persuade Nausicaa. Athena visits Nausicaa while she is asleep disguised as “the daughter of Dymas, famed for seafaring, a girl of the same age in whom her fancy delighted” (6: 22-23). Using this disguise Athena urges Nausicaa to wash clothes the following day (6: 25-31). Without Athena stirring Nausicaa in her sleep, her and Odysseus would not have been acquainted. Athena also persuades her to have a favorable opinion of Odysseus by making him appear more handsome and favorable than he actually is (6: 223-231). Athena’s use...
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...Odysseus v. Telemachus In Homer’s, The Odyssey, he tells the stories of Odysseus journey home and about his son Telemachus’ search to find him. Homer emphasizes Odysseus’s and Telemachus’ variances in strength when they try to string a bow, he demonstrates the differences in their courage when they discussed how they are going to get revenge on the suitors, and he talks about their different opinions on compassion. What sets Odysseus apart from everyone else is his strength. However, his son Telemachus is very strong too but Homer wants you to see the sheer strength of Odysseus. Homer uses the distinctions, in the strength of Telemachus to the strength of Odysseus when they both attempt to string the Odysseus’ bow. Telemachus tries to...
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...The Odyssey is written by the Greek bard / poet, Homer. The epic poem is considered to be written around the 8th – 7th B.C.E. However the elements of the epic suggest it takes place in the twelfth century B.C.E., a time the Greeks believed when the deities seen in the epic roamed the land and there were more heroic demi-god like morals as champions of different lands. This was a time period when Greek civilization was in a peak of its history and perhaps associated this success as a result of divine blessings given to them by the deities they worshipped and sacrificed too. Leading to the fact of why there are so many instances we see the various deities have, whether it be direct or indirect, influence on the various characters in the epic....
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...right to choose his own path. While clearly present in The Odyssey, it is through Homer’s writing that we begin to see the underlying belief, in ancient Greek culture, of divine intervention and the gods’ power to control and shape man’s destiny. Their influence is evident in determining the outcome of every adventure and obstacle that the hero, Odysseus, faces during his lengthy, perilous journey home following the events of the Trojan War. Man’s free will is overshadowed throughout this epic poem by the use of prophecy or the direct influence of the gods to ultimately foretell and decide the outcome. The choices Odysseus makes may have direct consequences and influence on his life, gaining or denying him favor with the gods. He cannot; however, change his fate or escape their will. The influence of the gods is shown early on in The Odyssey during a meeting of the gods where they decide amongst themselves that the time for Odysseus to return to his home in Ithaca has come. At the time of the meeting, Odysseus is trapped in a suspended state of inactivity on the island Ogygia with the goddess Calypso. No matter the remarkable wit and cunning the hero is shown to possess, it is the decision of the gods at this meeting to send Hermes to pave the way for his release from the island. Zeus to Hermes: “Hermes, you’ve been our messenger before. / go tell that ringlet nymph it is my will / To let that patient man Odysseus go home. / Not with an escort, mind you, human or divine...
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...The post-war treatment of veterans has changed immensely throughout society from showing disrespect and not realizing they need treatment, to coming up with effective ways to treat vets and giving them the respect and gratitude that they deserve. Many soldiers stay in combat mode after a war, often suffering from the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus, after fighting in Troy, tries to go back home, but the gods give him a long and dangerous ten-year journey back to Ithaca. While Odysseus and his crew are on the island of Ismarus, they decide to celebrate, but are still in combat mode: “I stormed that place and killed the men who fought… we took, and we enslaved the women, to make division, equal shares to all…” (Homer lines 44-46). Although welcomed as heroes to Ismarus, Odysseus and his men prove to be dangerous and war-like. This is the last...
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...In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus displays his renowned cleverness in his journey to get home, but he also shows he is very prideful. While trying to get home, Odysseus and his crew land on the island of the Cyclops, a race of one-eyed, man-eating giants. They end up stuck in the Cyclops Polyphemus’s cave, and Odysseus uses his ingenuity to get (most) of his men out. Polyphemus is so massive, that the rock he seals the entrance with, lifted easily by him, is impossible for Odysseus and his crew to budge. The men are helpless as they watch, each night, the Cyclops devour two more of their number for supper. Shrewdly, Odysseus gives Polyphemus wine, ostensibly as a gift to gain favor, until he is drunk, and then he tells the Cyclops his name is Nobody....
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...A summary of Civilization: Greek Era What really is education? It is not literacy, nor information. Education is a logical attempt towards human learning. There are two types of leaners, passive learners and purposely engaged learners. Purposeful engagement is said to equal successful learning; so instead of spending time getting interested, find what is interesting. Making connections is what creates learning. Everything we learn may not be interesting, but it is important to make connections to something that is. Find meaning in what is taught and interpret the idea, thinking deeply and meaningful about ideas helps discover new learning and interest. Intellect performance shows what we know what we are trying to portray. During the highest peak of the Greek era the society valued body and mind intellect; creating some of the most famous philosophers known to time. Main Ideas and Values of Ancient Greek Civilization Ancient Greek civilization has contributed too many parts of today's society. The teachings and doings of Ancient Greeks have contributed important lessons that many societies still use to base their own laws and ethics on. The Ancient Greeks realized values of loyalty, glory, intelligence and hospitality were important to incorporate into everyday life. Ancient Greek civilization valued dualism, truth and “good society”. Helping your fellow man was an important aspect of ancient Greek society. They offered food, shelter and protection to travelers without...
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...sits completely still, fear seeping into its veins as it watches the adversary assess its prey. Like the apprehensive squirrel, humans often become anxious when they have insufficient information about the obstacles they must deal with; such is the case with Odysseus, the main character in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey. Odysseus is inhibited from returning to his homeland, Ithaca, throughout his ten-year long journey after the Trojan War. Once he arrives home, men trying to woo his wife prevent him from being reunited with his family. The challenges that Odysseus faces implies that a lack of knowledge and understanding creates fear. Odysseus’ adventures throughout his journey home displays that dread can be a result of insufficient information and wisdom. Trapped in the cave of Polyphemos, Odysseus and his men attempt to escape the Cyclops by stabbing his eye with a sharpened stave. Although the monster is much stronger than the men, his blindness prevents him from seeking revenge. With this disability, Polyphemos does not know who or where the men are in his cave, so, due to his ignorance, his attempts to punish them are unsuccessful. The sightlessness of his single eye also symbolizes the blinding of one’s mind. Because Odysseus used an alias, “Noman,” instead of revealing his true name, it shrouded the truth from, or blinded the eye of, Polyphemos, thus establishing a sense of fear in him. Like the Cyclops’ loss of vision, people without knowledge are arrogant to reality and are...
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...EXAMINATION OF DUTY AND SELF CONTROL IN THE ODYSSEY Aashna Jamal INTRODUCTION Under the rule of Zeus, events did not occur in isolation but in interdependence causing there to be a flux in the totality of events and the whole drama being played on a cosmic plane. The central theme of Zeus’s rule is the preservation of his “ oikos” or household management where the prevalence of order over Chaos is of utmost importance. In this paper, using the Odyssey as a case study, I will examine the thematic importance of the decisions taken by a hero in accordance to or defiance of self control and pietas and the consequences they lead to. These expectations are clearly marked out for the reader who waits in anticipation to garner the fate of the hero. I will analyse the themes of self control and pietas or duty in the Odyssey and discuss their special significance in this epic. I will then briefly talk about the Hindu concept of duty or Dharma with reference to the Ramayana. I however do not intend to use the concept of monomyth coined by Joseph Campbell also referred to as the hero's journey(which is a basic pattern that its proponents argue is found in many narratives from around the world.) in comparing these epics. The example of the Ramayana will only serve my purpose of highlighting the theme of duty in mythologies across the world. Lastly, I will conclude with the importance of inspecting these themes because of their significance to the plotline. Georg Wissowa notes that pietas was...
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