Sacrifice In Homer's The Odyssey

What makes the Odyssey a classic is that even though it was written 2666 years ago the values of a hero portrayed in the poem can still be related to by today's

(Homer 885). He took his responsibility of his crew to new lengths and empowered them to stay strong. Odysseus connected their past to their future to renew their prospective. Continually throughout the story, Odysseus either takes on more responsibility or conquered enormous amounts of it. Homer’s epic poem labeled The Odyssey depicts society struggles with handling responsibility through Odysseus’ crew, the main character Odysseus, and the Cyclops.

In The Odyssey, many tribulations of conquest and vital society transformations take place. Homer included Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, in the epic poem to represent the disintegration of innocence through the will of courage. Also, throughout Telemachus’ hardships, the insights he obtained aided him to becoming more aware of his surroundings and guided him toward true wisdom. During Telemachus’ childhood, his absent father led him to accepting his fate of the suitors overrunning his home (pg. 190).

In the Epic Novella, The Odyssey, by Homer, both heroic and unheroic character traits of the main character Odysseus are found. On the journey of return to his homeland, Ithaca, him and his men are challenged by various obstacles. His journey shows multiple examples of heroic and unheroic character traits of himself. He was known as a great warrior for being intelligent and quick-witted; although he was selfish and arrogant.

Odysseus’s Traits Throughout the Odyssey, the main character Odysseus goes on an epic adventure with his focus being to get home to his wife Penelope, and his son Telemachus. He faces many obstacles dealing with characters such as the Cyclopes, Poseidon, Aeolus, Athena, Helios, Calypso, Zeus, Hermes, Scylla, and Circe. Odysseus’s men are some of the most valuable people to him throughout the Odyssey. He always puts himself in front of danger for them to protect them even though they all died from an unexpected turn of events soon before he returns home. When Odysseus comes home he greets his twenty year old son and straightens things out on his homeland, Ithaca.

Odysseus created an escape plan when he and his men got trapped inside the cave of a deadly Cyclops who had already eaten two of his men. Odysseus kept his cool and devised a plan to hide under the sheep of the Cyclops who were let out of the cave every morning. These actions had an effect on his men, filling them with respect. These are the kinds of actions that make Odysseus an epic hero.

In this story, however, the main character cannot be justified as the hero; he can only aspire to be one. Throughout the epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer vividly illustrates how often times, a person who has gained a certain title will struggle under the pressure of maintaining the continuous justification of the role. This is seen through Odysseus’ endeavor to maintain the responsibilities of a hero along his journey as well as managing the role that come with being a hero. Although Odysseus ventures to become the responsible, classic hero, he acts irrationally whenever he encounters an obstacle as seen through his confrontation with Scylla and Charybdis, proving his intentions of a hero but the lack of ability to execute his heroic actions to the fullest.

Since the beginning, men have worshipped higher beings. Elaborate stories of the gods and humanity have been passed down through generations; and Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ is an excellent example of this relationship. _________ . The Odyssey’s themes of sacrifice and revenge depict this relationship as both beneficial and detrimental, and necessary for mankind.

Odysseus, father of Telemachus, obtains most of the qualities that are similar to his son, and has his own set of qualities that define him. Odysseus is strong, devoted, and a warrior. In Odysseus’ journey back home, he undergoes the punishment set for him by the gods. He and his crew encounter the sirens, the lotus eaters, the cyclops, and are stranded on an island with a beautiful goddess, Circe, but only thinks about getting home. Odysseus proves himself of being loyal and devoted to his wife as when he is trapped on the island with the astonishing goddess that he only thinks about getting home.

Odysseus, the main character in Homer’s The Odyssey was so fascinated with all the interesting things he was hearing about this humongous monster. This monster was named the Cyclops, everyone was talking about how big and scary it was. Odysseus was determined to put his own eyes on this massive creature, so he could have his own opinion of this scary animal. This creature Odysseus thought was fascinating ended up turning into an evil monster, and went against Odysseus and his men.

Who is a hero? A hero takes many forms, such as an allegorical hero, a tragic hero, or an epic hero. In the age of postmodernism, there are instances where a person can be both a hero and a villain. Odysseus is difficult to identify as a hero because of his many vices.