Archetype In The Odyssey

An Odyssey in modern definition is a “long series of wanderings and adventures”; so unsurprisingly Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey is exactly that: a string of adventures that centers on Odysseus as he travels back to his home, Ithaca, after the Trojan War. Aside from the long journey, the much more can be inferred from just than the places and persons visited; The character of Odysseus can be explored to show what makes him a hero, what his qualities and flaws are, and how he is an archetype.

In my opinion, Odysseus is an epic hero because he is only human. In being human his feats of outsmarting the Cyclops Polyphemus seems much grander. His feat of withstanding the Sirens is much more spectacular. His feat of escaping Circe’s clutches seems much more astounding. All of Odysseus’s accomplishments become more impressive because Odysseus is human like the rest of us. Vulnerable like the rest of us, yet he is able to contend with the supernatural and be noticed by the Olympian gods.

Odysseus, of course is brave and courageous as he doesn’t seem to crumble with fear when facing an enemy. He is also confident in his abilities as he never falters under pressure or when in a dire situation. Perhaps, Odysseus’s most important quality is his intelligence. As opposed to his enemy’s brute strength or mystical power, Odysseus is still able to defeat his enemy with his wit and intelligence such as telling Polyphemus that his “name is Nohbdy.” Odysseus major flaw is his pride which is seen when he continues to taunt Polyphemus by saying “…if mortal man ever inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him that Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye…” despite his crew warning “Why bait the beast again. Let him