A boy from my second grade class boasted about owning the world’s highest jump and, once challenged by another student, proved it to us by leaping off the playground swing while it was at its maximum height. The results were a broken leg and the regrets of an act of arrogance. Guy de Maupassant's short story “The Necklace,” Edgar Allen Poe’s short story “The Cask of Amontillado,” and Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, illustrate a shared theme on excessive pride resulting in self-sabotage. Arrogance stems detriment. De Maupassant's “The Necklace” characterizes Mathilde Loisel, the main character, as a beautiful, egotistic woman who desires only wealthy apparel. He emphasizes the negative results of narcissism by blinding Mathilde with that trait
Odysseus is known as a very honorable man recognized as brave, noble, and a hero in the Odyssey. He is described one way, but his actions are contradicting towards his distinguishable character. In Homer’s The Odyssey, it can be argued that Odysseus is too deceitful, narcissistic, and pretentious to be considered an honorable hero. To support this, I will be analyzing the use of the word “honor” in situations where Odysseus was described as a man with great honor by the gods.
Odysseus uses his intellectual prowess over his might multiple times in The Odyssey. One example is when Odysseus puts beeswax in his men's ears so they don’t get tempted by the sirens. Strategically, Odysseus says “Coming forward, I carried wax along the line, and laid it thick on their ears (548).” Odysseus is very strategic in doing this because he knows that the siren's songs are irresistible.
The line between self-confidence and arrogance is a fine line to walk, especially for those fortunate enough to be skilled and praised widely for it. The interactions between humans and gods make up a significant portion of classical mythology as we know it. One of the most common themes that is explored in a multitude of Greco-Roman myths is hubris, which Dr. Arnold Mitchell defines as “insolence stemming from excessive pride [. . . ] It is a pride which challenges the gods, that is, defies the nature of reality, and destroys a man.”
Glory and fame are what people in our society want today, this way we can feel special and popular. Ancient Greeks want this more than us and are even seeking glory when they are dead, glory not for themselves, but also throughout their families and generations. This way like us they can also feel special. In Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, in book 11 on lines 562-596, Odysseus travels to the underworld to hear about his prophecy, while also meeting the ghost of Akhilleus. Homer then characterize Akhilleus as strong by using diction and flashback to further emphasize how much glory means to Ancient Greeks.
We came up with the conclusion of Jesus assuming that the centurion is challenging his honor by sending the Jewish elders instead of going to Jesus himself for assistance. In a broker client relationship there is not mediated between the two by having the elders mediated implies that he wants to shame Jesus publicly. The centurion sees Jesus as broker between him and god so by publicly challenging him ensure that if the servant was not healed, people’s doubt about Gods power will continue. To answer the second question we believe that there is honor challenged between clients, brokers and patrons when favors are asked this is proven when Malina and Rohrbaugh state that by “Giving a gift is a positive challenge and requires reciprocation in kind (Kindle Location 1185).”
Shelsea Lopez-Massella Contrast in the Usage of Pride within the Biblical text and Homeric Epic Differing texts, the Odyssey and the Hebrew Bible serve to exemplify how “pride” is a term whose definition can be a spectrum with opposing ends rather than a solid meaning. As a word, it is able to connote a definition ranging from narcissism and self-adsorption, to self-assurance and respect for one’s reputation. Pride is an essential aspect of the Greek “hero”, being a characteristic that separates the common man from one of noble lineage and authority. Contrasting to the Homeric use of pride in heroism, the biblical use of the trait is always that of an example of behavior or character that is best averted rather than embraced; as it is a
In The Odyssey, the author Homer writes a fascinating epic poem. It all began when Helen the queen of Sparta was kidnapped. Her husband sent an army of great warriors behind her, including Odysseus. A 10 year war was fought between the trojans and Odysseus’ army. It ended when the greek army retreated leaving only the finest warriors behind, led by Odysseus they hid in a wooden horse that at in front of the trojans gate.
Odysseus, in The Odyssey by Homer, and I both demonstrate self-restraint. One time Odysseus shows self-discipline is when he’s in the cyclops’ cave and stabbed his eye. The cyclops “squatted in the breach with arms thrown wide for any silly man or beast that bolted” (907). Odysseus restrains himself from running the first time he sees a way out. Instead he stays back and plans for a better way out.
The Odyssey by Homer is an exemplary story that teaches life lessons to those going on a journey for themselves. It illustrates how the challenges and obstacles one may face can help someone become a better leader. The Odyssey highlights one man, Odysseus, a man filled with excessive pride, experiencing the wrath of the god Poseidon. He expects to arrive at his home, Ithaca, safely to reunite with his wife, Penelope, but unfortunately faces many temptations and setbacks. Due to the challenges he faces, it prevents him from arriving home as early as he thought he would.
People today experience pride in their life, just has Odysseus had
The Odyssey is often cited as an epitome of the hero’s journey and the monomyth. The hero of the story, Odysseus is on a 10 year battle homeward from the Trojan War to see his wife and son again. With the help divine intervention, Odysseus is able to return home and save his wife from the evil suitors who have continuously tried to win her. One could easily argued that Odysseus is an exemplar of the hero, but there is another story: Odysseus is the opposite of a hero and is not worthy to be called such. He is the villain where the gods are the hero.
Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, chronicles the homeward bound voyage of the main character, King Odysseus of Ithaca. After Trojan War which lasted ten years, Odysseus sets foot on another adventure, which also spans ten years, to return to Ithaca. Odysseus is gone from his home for a total twenty years, but upon his arrival back to Ithaca, he finds that his title has been defended by his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus, who have been awaiting his return this entire time. Odysseus and Penelope are meant to be a model couple, so people often argue about which of the two is more admirable. To be admirable is to have faced a struggle with honor and dignity.
This example shows how honor is not necessarily one thing, but a combination of how one acts, treats others and handles situations. It is a reflection of how others see us and something that others determine. In the encounter with the Cyclops, Odysseus is seen as honorable by his men due to his actions. Rather than run away, he stays with his men and finds a solution to save them all. He does not put his life or value himself more than his men.
“We had just escaped Scylla’s wrath to whom I had lost six of my men to. The wind was blowing at a calm pace and the waves were well enough for us to travel at a good pace. There only seemed to be one problem; everyone on the crew had begun to lament over their wish to return home. We had endured many ferocious monsters with the providence of Athena of the bright eyes. We were on our way home, however, home had seemed as though we would never find it.
Originating in France, ‘The Necklace’ is a short story written by French writer Guy de Maupassant in the late nineteenth century, the period where literary movements realism and naturalism dominated French fiction. Maupassant played an important role in both the realist movement and the naturalist movement through his depiction of the setting as well as the character’s decision. The short story reflects upon the rigid patriarchal society during the late nineteenth century, demonstrating how the wealth of a person can lead to their generosity and greed; thus affecting their lifestyles. Through ‘The Necklace’, Maupassant aims to depict the conflicts between the upper-class and the lower class, how their inner desires vary. This essay will analyze ‘The Necklace’ and how Maupassant uses the social context, characters and literary devices in the short story to illustrate his misogynistic viewpoints towards women.