1st paragraph- Mahatma Gandhi once said: “Anger is the enemy of non-violence and pride is a monster that swallows it up.” Pride is seen by many as a weakness but pride is what encourages many to prove themselves. Odysseus’ major flaw is believing he is greater than any other human, sometimes even the gods. Odysseus demonstrates this weakness when he encounters the Cyclops and enrages him by trespassing into the one-eyed beast's cave. When Odysseus finally escapes he yelled his name to the Cyclops, out of pride, when he could have used a decoy name. Zeus decides to teach Odysseus a lesson for hurting his son and provides many obstacles for Odysseus on his journey home.
After his men and him escapes unnecessarily losing two men in the process, Odysseus taunts Polyphemus which leads to him saying “ Hear me Poseidon, sustainer of the earth, god of sable locks. If I am yours indeed and you claim me as your son, grant that Odysseus, sacker of cities and son of Laertes, may never reach his home in Ithaca”(Homer 124) . This quote shows that one of Odysseus’s many flaws is that he allows his pride to take control of his actions and doesn’t clearly consider the consequences. Another instance of Odysseus’s foolish pride is when he crossing the threshold Circe advises Odysseus to
After Odysseus dodged the throw, his son threatens and reprimands him. “Ktesippos, lucky for you, by heaven, not have hit him! …else you’d have my lance-head in your belly” (385). Telemakhos’ ability to stand up to the insults and deal with the suitors is quite mature. One time when a suitor provoked him with jokes about his friends, saying that he should throw him into a slave ship, Telemakhos simply ignored them.
She survived the death of her first love and even though afterwards she loved again she was a changed person, colder and more focused on personal gains that anything else. What would she have been like if Caesar wouldn’t have been murdered? How would History look like if Octavian’s Admiral Agrippa would have worked for the opposite side? We will never know but what we do know is, that Cleopatra is one of the most well-known and inspiring Women in history. The myths and secrets that surround her make her and the courage that she showed during her lifetime even more
Once her father hears these accusations, he commands to “let her die” as a result of the crimes she committed (IV.i.163). These incidents in the play illustrate Hero’s sacrifice of her angelic and pure character. Hero does little to convince others of her innocence. Moreover, clinging to the traditional views of women, men are unlikely to listen to what women have to say. Shakespeare portrays women 's ranking in relation to men by illustrating Hero’s great sacrifice, and how her closest mentors refuse to help support her.
Penelope’s dream is foreshadowing what is going to happen to the suitors. In Penelope’s dream, the eagle represents Odysseus and the geese represent the suitors. Penelope tells the beggar, which is actually Odysseus, her dream. The beggar immediately recognizes the meaning but Penelope seems to be oblivious. Penelope has been known to be smart and cunning throughout the book, leading one to assume she would be able to interpret the dream herself.
In The Odyssey, it is Odysseus that is telling the story, and he shows his own high opinion of himself by exaggerating his successes and making his failures seem inconsequential. In The Penelopiad, on the other hand, Odysseus’s faults are brought forward through the observations of his wife. Penelope mostly comments on his wit, which boarders on malicious manipulation. Both accounts show different sides of Odysseus but Penelope’s observations remind the audience that he is not an infallible hero, but a man. Following the visit to the Cyclops den in The Odyssey, Odysseus shows arrogance by declaring his escape from there to be a success despite having lost six men while trapped.
Athena is Odysseus' most powerful ally. She appears throughout The Odyssey in disguise, offering instructions, encouragement, and magical protection to Odysseus. She also aids in part to test the character development of Odysseus. When he is disguised as a beggar, she tests Odysseus to see if his pride will cause him to fight against the suitors prior to when she advised. She also does not intervene in the battle against the suitors until the end (by showing her shield), once Odysseus has proven himself.
This action is important because Odysseus portrays it throughout the whole story. This value is used with Calypso, Polyphemus, Circe, and many more individuals. On Odysseus’ way to get home to his family he got stuck on Calypso’s Island. In this case he had to wait and use his patience. Calypso is a goddesses who fell in love with Odysseus and who wanted him
Electra only has the Chorus when she learns the untrue news of Orestes’ death. The Chorus shares her grief and upsetness. “Where are the thunderbolts of Zeus? Where is the bright revealing sun, if they see these things and shroud them in complicity?” (Sophocles, Electra, 789-795). However, when Electra persuades Chrysothemis with her plan the Chorus tries to convince Electra not to live her life like this.