Odysseus’s Tumultuous Journey Heroes in today’s literature often take on difficult challenges that put themselves in constant danger to better themselves. Joseph Campbell came out with a book in 1949 called “A Hero with a Thousand Faces” which he introduced the “Hero’s Journey” formula that Odysseus closely follows. The Odyssey is a Greek mythology following Odysseus, a Trojan War hero who faces many dangers trying to get back to his homeland of Ithaca. At his homeland of Ithaca suitors are eating out his home and trying to marry his wife while Telemachus sets out to find his father, but eventually comes back unsuccessful. Finally, Odysseus comes home and takes back his home and family.
When faced with war soldiers change, for better or for worse. Modern culture celebrates the glory of patriotic sacrifice. However, this celebration often leaves out the gritty details and trauma of violence behind war and the way it affects people. Homer’s The Odyssey and William Wyler’s The Best Years of Our Lives clearly discuss these details. Both debate the long-awaited return of warriors that went off to fight a war and the way the experience changes the protagonists. A warrior’s homecoming is typically thought to be full of loving comfort from family and friends, exemplified in images in popular culture. However, there is in fact a tragedy behind the whole ordeal, caused by the lack of effective communication by the homecoming warriors.
“Antinous, ringleader of the suitors, is just lifting a drinking cup when Odysseus puts an arrow through his throat.” Odysseus killing the leader of the suitors was a passion crime. Odysseus passion makes him a hero because if he wasn’t fighting for something he wouldn’t be fighting at
The 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.
Everyone has their favorite super hero, whether it be Superman, Batman, or even Ironman. These heros helped anyone they saw in need, even if it put themselves in danger. People describe them as brave, daring, and trustworthy. This is not how I would describe Odysseus from the book The Odyssey by Homer, everyone always thought of Odysseus as the “hero” of the story, but he was quite the opposite. He does not deserve the credit for his getting home from the war at all.
Odysseus tells his crew to draw away from the island and his crew is pleading to him to not show signs of hubris to the Cyclops: “ ‘Godsake, Captain! Why bait the beast again? Let him alone!’ ‘That tidal wave he made on the first throw all but beached us! ‘All but stove us in!’
Before he slaughters his opponents, he responds to Eurymachus’ plea: “There will be killing ‘till the score is paid. You forced yourselves upon his house” (1468-1469). In order to maintain his honor, Odysseus chooses to take the suitors’ lives because punishment is seen as just and fair. Since the suitors invade Odysseus’ house and avoid combat, instead begging for their lives in front of him, they break Greek code; in other words, they negatively respond to the generous hospitality they receive and choose not to fight for their lives, which shows great dishonor because they break important traditions of hospitality and combat as set by the
The actions of Odysseus are both inconsiderate and disrespectful to the honored tradition of his ancestors, proving yet again, that Odysseus is no
King Alcinous and Queen Arete shower Odysseus with gifts and wealth while dedicating a sumptuous feast for him filled with entertainment, tales, songs, and merrymaking. Odysseus regales his audience with his heroic achievements in Troy and the chains of disaster that befalls him because of the selfish whims of the gods such as the nymphs Calypso and Circe. He also recounts the tale of when he gains the ire of Poseidon for blinding his Cyclops son, Polyphemus. Despite knowing that Poseidon—the Phaeacians’ ancestral god—has a grudge against Odysseus, they still escorted Odysseus back to Ithaca while giving him more than enough treasures that can be considered more than what Odysseus could have acquired in Troy. This act of being too generous, especially to someone Poseidon considers as an enemy has damaged Poseidon’s honor and reputation.
Odysseus 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.
Being disrespectful is the worst thing you can do in Greece. Everywhere in the world disrespecting someone is not a nice thing to do. Odysseus never disrespected anyone, like when he said “give me a rag for cover, just some cloths” (bk5, Pg162). He respected the girls and wanted to cover after he got to the island without cloths. There were all girls except Odysseus
In the book called The Odyssey by Homer, it mainly follows the story of a king of a village called Ithaca, hundreds of years ago-This man, is named Odysseus. Odysseus goes through many adventures after the victory of the Trojan War. However, this is where Odysseus, is not being as strong as a great war hero and a king as he should be. Although Odysseus was seen as a very strong person, physically and mentally, he lacks the appreciation and the care of his crew throughout the trials and didn’t think through many of his actions thoroughly and how they would affect not only his crew but people around him.
Just as Achilles is confronted in the Iliad with the problem of balancing his honor with his pride, Odysseus repeatedly faces situations in which self-restraint and humility must check bravado and glory-seeking. In his early adventures, he fails these tests, as when he taunts Polyphemus, inflaming Poseidon. As the epic progresses, Odysseus becomes increasingly capable of judging when it is wise to reveal himself and when it is appropriate to rejoice in his
The Odyssey is a fantastic story full of interesting characters, conflicts, and theme. The Odyssey was written by Homer who was a blind poet. It was written in the 8th century B.C during a time of Greek god worship. With intricate characters, exciting conflicts, and an impressive theme the Odyssey is an amazing book for anyone.
Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, is a man that is looked at as a celebrity by humans because of his skillful fighting, and by the gods because of his intelligence and wits. The king went through numerous tasks and obstacles to get back to his homeland. One task in particular proves his power and the love he has for his loyal and wise wife, Penelope. Looking at lines four hundred fifty-one through four hundred seventy-one, the moment Odysseus, while disguised by the God Athena, proves to the suitors and workers that he is the rightful husband, king, and lord by stringing his own bow and shooting it through twelve axes; the task was quick and perfect for Odysseus.