ipl-logo

Moral Action In Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey

1150 Words5 Pages

What defines an action to be moral or political? A moral action is an action that is aimed towards doing good, and does not violate anybody’s rights. Moral actions can also be referred to as ethos. A political action is an action aimed towards gaining or retaining power, which can also be referred to as kratos. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, the main protagonist, Odysseus, makes many decisions that reflect upon his character. Odysseus is portrayed as a formidable, hubristic, steadfast individual. “Could I forget that kingly man, Odysseus?” (3) Individuals around him also agree that he is quite admirable. Odysseus exhibits many traits that depict a sense of entitlement, and that he is quite arrogant. “…if ever mortal man inquire how …show more content…

His decisions are beneficial to him, and him only. Odysseus does what he wants, and how it will affect others does not cross his mind. The Kyklops predicament could have been avoided if it were not for Odysseus’ desire to obtain total superiority. And it was unnecessary for Odysseus to glorify his bow and arrow triumph, but given the chance, he took the opportunity to do so. Egotistical behavior tends to be looked down upon, and is considered to be corrupt and reprehensible. It is also considered wrong to put your own opinions and ideas before others’, especially if it will affect others negatively. Odysseus evidently has demonstrated that his actions are for his own best interest of appearing to be …show more content…

In reference to Odysseus’ charisma towards Nausikaa, he is only using his charm to persuade her to give him food, clothing, and shelter. “But now that you have taken refuge here you shall not lack for clothing, or any other comfort due to a poor man in distress.” (182) He is making her believe that she is the most alluring person that he has ever laid eyes on. By doing this, she develops a liking for Odysseus, and feels sorry for him. When Odysseus used his persuasive way with words on Polyphemus, he only wanted to get the Kyklops drunk so that he could stab him in the eye. “…straight forward they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and I leaned on it turning it as a shipwright turns a drill in planking…” (234) After injuring the Kyklops, he then taunted him repeatedly until he prayed to his father Poseidon, resulting in the death of many of his crewmates. Odysseus’ behavior is most definitely

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of Lying In The Odyssey

    642 Words  | 3 Pages

    Odysseus is overly confident in his skills and has no problem boasting about it. He constantly makes himself and his skills seem more superior to others, making others feel ashamed. Odysseus also shows an extreme amount of confidence after injuring Kyklops. Once the job is done and Odysseus and his crew are leaving, Odysseus yells, “‘ Kyklops, if ever mortal men inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaka’” ( Fitzgerald 160).

    Read More

  • Summary Of D Aulaire's Book Of Greek Myths

    819 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the Adventures of Odysseus, the narrative points to the fact that even those individuals who appear to be untouchable or immortal have fundamental flaws and that pride and hubris make them vulnerable. Odysseus is a famed warrior who has been away from his home for 19 long years due to the Trojan War and a troubled journey home. His adventures include fighting a mighty Cyclops, outwitting the sorceress, Circe, and traveling to the land of the dead. When the Gods finally smile down on him and help him find his way home, he faces more hardships, for there are many suitors of his wife that would kill him if they knew who he was. Throughout the story Odysseus shows strength and fortitude through his hardships, but again and again his pride leads him

    Read More

  • Odysseus Is A Bad Leader Essay

    508 Words  | 3 Pages

    The first trait is that he is a very arrogant person and this often puts him and his men in danger. Secondly, Odysseus can be deceitful and not fully communicate the facts of each situation. Odysseus was a weak leader and his lack of vision in not seeing the strength and possibilities in his men combined with his inability to effectively communicate to those around him ultimately led to his failure of not being able to safely deliver his men back to Ithaca. The story of the Cyclops in Homer 's The Odyssey illustrated how Odysseus '

    Read More

  • Odysseus And Greed In Homer's The Odyssey

    1277 Words  | 6 Pages

    His 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

    Read More

  • Greek Values In Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

    811 Words  | 4 Pages

    Odyssey Essay Did you know Odysseus let many of his men die in the Odyssey? Well, Odysseus is also known for his brave and heroic acts, but to further understand him, you have to know about his Greek Values. In the Odyssey, Odysseus’ strength and weaknesses of leadership, intelligence, and his selfishness. This reflects the Greek Values of leading others to success, and accomplishment, outsmarting others, and caring for others.

    Read More

  • Humility In Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey

    846 Words  | 4 Pages

    When Odysseus is leaving the cyclops cave, his egotistical behavior is shown when he tells Polyphemus who hurt him. Odysseus screams to Polyphemus, “if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus, raider of cities, he

    Read More

  • How Is Odysseus Selfish

    290 Words  | 2 Pages

    Overall, Odysseus is often portrayed as a “model hero”, but in reality he has many faults such as being untrustworthy, arrogant and

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On The Odyssey

    415 Words  | 2 Pages

    Odyssey Argumentative Essay Odysseus is an arrogant egotistical warrior who hardly ever takes the blame for his own actions. Since he does not take responsibility it shows his weaknesses that could be used against him if this were a war. Odysseus’s weaknesses are shown equally in the literature and the movie. In some ways the literature showed it better or explained it better than the movie did. But in some ways the movie outlined his weaknesses than the movie because it is more visual than when you are reading the story.

    Read More

  • Impulsiveness In The Odyssey

    856 Words  | 4 Pages

    He tells them, “I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, know to the world/ for every kind of craft–my fame has reached the skies” (9. 21-22). Odysseus shows his arrogance in this quote. Odysseus is so full of arrogance in the beginning of the book that he cannot let anyone but him get recognition for the stories. Odysseus says himself that he is “known to the world” and his “fame has reached the skies”. These statements show someone who is full of themselves and doesn’t want any point of recognition off of them.

    Read More

  • The Destruction Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

    1066 Words  | 5 Pages

    (Book 10, page 159, PDF). Odysseus had left almost always meant to die with only saving a few which may have caused a sense of controversy and confusion. Also Odysseus hadn’t thought of a way to save all of his men, which eventually impacted his journey and his entire crew. Though Odysseus did have several acts of heroic deeds, the amount of failure in a majority of those other acts overpowered them

    Read More

  • Odysseus Crew In The Odyssey

    1764 Words  | 8 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Transformation Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

    688 Words  | 3 Pages

    Naturally, he has much to be proud of: his sexy and loyal wife, his bravery, and his victorious battles from the Trojan War and beyond. However, his arrogance creates a weakness in his character that negatively impacts himself and the people around him. The evolution in Odysseus’s personality turns him from an arrogant flaunter to a humble man, and demonstrates that the strifes he encounters during his journey home is not simply new experiences, but also his beginning of a profound revelation. Starting from the middle of the mountain, Odysseus’s new transformation will allow him to soar to the top with eagle

    Read More

  • Odysseus Character Development Essay

    591 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • How Odysseus Is An Epic Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

    541 Words  | 3 Pages

    Odysseus’s traits help him achieve his goal of returning to his home. Odysseus and his men have a lot of willpower to continue traveling after some dangerous and life risking experiences with cannibals, lotus-eaters, cyclops and many more creatures that could of killed Odysseus and his whole crew. Odysseus's confidence and epic hero traits only increase as the story goes on, his confidence in his men increase as he starts noticing how strong and powerful his men can be, and also shows confidence in

    Read More

  • Odysseus Character Analysis Essay

    574 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the book The Odyssey, the main character, Odysseus, is a man who is loved and respected by many. In the beginning of the book, we learn that Odysseus has left on a journey and, since it has been many years since his departure, many people assume that he has passed. On his journey, he portrays his many traits, not all of them being good ones either. Some of his good traits include his cunning, bravery, and hard work ethic. On the other hand, his negative traits are his excessive pride, immense curiosity, and rather large temper.

    Read More

More about Moral Action In Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey

Open Document