Temptation In The Odyssey
In The Odyssey, temptation is a theme repeatedly explored by Homer. The issue of temptation is constantly providing the protagonist, Odysseus, with conflicts. From the very beginning of the epic tale, with Paris’s lust for Helen, temptation causes mayhem in the lives of the characters. It repeatedly prevents Odysseus from achieving his main goal of returning home to Ithaca. A major plot storyline, and one of the most explored temptations in The Odyssey, is Penelope and the suitors. There is temptation on both sides; Penelope certainly has waited a long time for Odysseus, and has to combat affairs with the suitors, and the suitors are lusting after Penelope. If permitted, they would have succumbed to the urge to wed her. Telemachus and Pallas …show more content…
He was tempted to steal food, and succumbed to staying longer than was necessary. This set off a sequence of events that led to Poseidon seeking vengeance on Odysseus. This simple action caused chaos for him and delayed his return to Ithaca by many years. It also caused havoc for others, such as the Phaeacians. Later, Odysseus's homecoming was further delayed by his crews actions, who were warned not to kill Helios’s flock. However, they were tempted and killed the cow anyway. His crew's actions hurt Odysseus’s journey. Finally, a temptation described in The Odyssey was the proposed killing of Telemachus. When Antonius proposed ambushing him at sea, Amphinomus resisted the temptation and convinced others to do the same. Amphinomus was rewarded for this later in the book, when beggar Odysseus warned him of the impending slaughter. Through Homer's depictions of temptation and their consequences, we can conclude Greeks constantly struggled with temptations. Homer thought how one deals with temptation determines character and the consequences that follow. If one did not give in, rewards followed, but if they did, punishment ensued. The Greeks were similar to us in their desires, but exceedingly lusted after beautiful women and reigning power. The Gods proposed heinous things to those that submitted. Homer was enthralled with the idea of temptation and used it in The Odyssey’s plot exceedingly
Honor In The Odyssey
1263 Words | 6 PagesHe would rather compete in the Phaeacians' games to prove his own egotistical power, even though it meant delaying his return home. Choosing to stay away longer is one of the many selfish choices of Odysseus on his journey, and just proves how pretentious he truly is. His popular taunts on others’ who he thought of as less worthy resulted in many consequences. As Odysseus fled after attacking Polyphemus, he called the Cyclops an idiot and told him "you had it coming (Homer 425)”. His crew replied with, “Why are you being so insistent and taunting this wild man?
The Negative Effects Of Curiosity In Homer's The Odyssey
1064 Words | 5 PagesEarlier in the epic, Odysseus frequently abuses his role as captain of his crew because of his curious nature. He makes several stops on their journey home in search of more opportunities to prove his skillfulness, even though he is already a king and has won a major war. One of these stops is at the Island of Polyphemus, home to the cyclops famed for eating all humans that enter his cave. Even though Odysseus is well aware of the danger ahead, his curiosity tempts him to
Ancient Greek Values And Virtues In Homer's Odyssey
913 Words | 4 PagesIt is often wondered how words are formed or created. Many of our words are derived from different older cultures, like the civilization of Ancient Greece. An example of this is the word museum which comes from the word muse. The Muses were greek goddesses of the fine arts who were prayed to by philosophers, musicians, and artists who seeked inspiration. The Greek poet and author of the famous stories The Iliad and The Odyssey was one of them.
Odysseus And Greed In Homer's The Odyssey
1277 Words | 6 PagesHis fate and journey are ultimately changed by the actions of others who are selfish, greedy, and foolish. The suitor’s greed gave him the extra desire to finally return to Ithaca, and his journey changed as he became desperate to return to Penelope. The selfishness crew caused his journey to be delayed, as he was forced to travel for ten extra days. The foolish crew, and their need to die with full stomachs caused Odysseus to be alone and stuck on an island with Kalypso resulting in more time away from
A Character Analysis Of Odysseus Arrogance In The Odyssey
414 Words | 2 PagesOdysseus shows considerable hubris when he brags to King Alconis about slaughtering the small village of Ismarus. Odysseus claims that he and his men “stormed that place,” enslaved the women, and slaughtered those who fought. (Homer 43). Due to Odysseus’ arrogant decision to assault Ismarus, a few of his men died. This demonstrates how arrogance and the hunger for victory will lead to certain death.
Temptation And Pride In The Odyssey
664 Words | 3 PagesHave you ever felt tempted to cheat on your homework or on a test? Have you been prideful of what your status or accomplishments? In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, the brave hero Odysseus encountered these obstacles of temptations and pride that people today still face. Therefore, temptation and pride were Odysseus’ greatest enemy throughout his journey back to Ithaca, as they distracted him on his voyage, prevented him from getting home, and displeased the gods.
Pitfalls Of Temptation In The Odyssey
779 Words | 4 PagesAfter this, the men agree with their fellow shipmate. They eat the cattle while Odysseus is sleeping. Lord Helios finds out and tells Zeus. The men don't realize the consequences of their actions, and Zeus shocks their ship with his thunderbolt, nearly destroying the entire ship. Another example of “the pitfalls of temptation” is when birdlike-creatures try to lure Odysseus’ men away from their boat.
The Transformation Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey
688 Words | 3 PagesThe Odyssey by Homer revolves around the character, Odysseus, and his ten-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. As the epic’s idol, he displays the combination of a clever, handsome, and courageous man popular among the mortals as well as the gods. Essentially, he embodies the ideals of the ancient Greek culture, being adorned with many favored characteristics of the era. However, an intriguing aspect of Odysseus lies in his personality. As the protagonist, he does not manifest the entirety of a stereotypical hero because Odysseus has a fatal flaw—his arrogance.
Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's Odyssey
865 Words | 4 PagesIn The Odyssey Homer makes Odysseus’ journey to his beloved Ithaca excruciating. Odysseus encounters many friends and foes throughout his journey and has to be a leader throughout his experiences. As an example, he encounters Polyphemus and Poseidon, both of whom make his journey mentally and physically painful. Odysseus faces countless scenarios in which he has to save multiple people in those situations. He also encounters the suitors, who are a group of men that try to marry Penelope, when he returns to reclaim his home.
Diction And Imagery In Homer's Odyssey
472 Words | 2 PagesWe can depict this through a quote found in chapter 9, “A wind from seaward served him, drove us there. We are survivors, these good men and I.” Being the heartless creature the cyclops is, he still goes on to eat Odysseus’ men, shocking them as they believed they should have gotten better treatment and a gracious greeting from the Cyclops as if they were noble heroes. However, soon Odysseus learns that
Temptation In The Odyssey Analysis
704 Words | 3 PagesST2: Furthermore, Odysseus submits to temptation again, and Homer displays the temptations as another display of hubris on Odysseus’ voyage home. 1: Homer portrays Odysseus’ displays of hubris as one of the biggest temptations, seen as Odysseus tempts the cyclops, even when his crewmates plead for him to stop, saying, “‘So headstrong— why? Why rile the beast again?’”(9.550), but Odysseus’ provocation of the cyclops is not hindered by their pleas. 2: After escaping the cyclops, Odysseus expresses overconfidence, leading to the taunting of the cyclops, while his crew cries, “‘Why rile the beast again?’” for fear that Odysseus would be further tempted to lengthen their journey home.
The Flawed Character Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey
432 Words | 2 PagesAt the end of part 2 of the Odyssey, when Odysseus is finally home and confronts the suitors in his home, he decides to slaughter them all for invading his home and courting his wife: “Not for the whole treasures of your fathers, all you enjoy, lands, flocks, or any gold put up by others will I hold my hand. There will be killing till the price is paid” (22.62-64). This quote from Odysseus shows that he was furious at the suitors, and he would allow no other atonement for their crimes except death. While the suitors all did wrong things, their actions did not deserve the death penalty. This shows that Odysseus was not thinking straight and being fair, and this is not something a hero would do.
Odysseus Character Development
1042 Words | 5 PagesI wouldn’t let any of my crew / Spell me, because I wanted to make good time.” His poor decision of not telling the crew about the winds, and insisting to sail by himself is another byproduct of his pride. This scene can be directly contrasted to his journey from Phaeacia to Ithaca, as he finally trusts his crew and reaches home peacefully. The significance of this incident very much fortifies the obstacles and predicaments that Odysseus faces on his way home, as well as unmasking the impurities in the character of
What Is The Hero's Journey In The Odyssey
1064 Words | 5 PagesOdysseus starts to learn the importance of being modest through moments of despair. One can perceive a change in character midway through the journey, during his trip to Helio 's Island. Prior to the trip, the crew was deliberately told not harm Helios’s, cattle, for they will suffer the consequences. However, hunger grew in all their bodies leading them to eat the sun god’s cattle. In despair, Odysseus cries to Zeus explaining how he needs a god to save him from starvation.
Morality In The Odyssey
1314 Words | 6 PagesAlso, the text shows the beneficial outcome of resisting from temptations that distract people from completing their goal. As well, how learning from mistakes can prevent their repetition. The Odyssey, a text of antiquity, serves its purpose as a moral guidebook for contemporary behavior. A distinguished moral in the Odyssey was learning how to view
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