Odysseus Use Of PTSD In Homer's Odyssey
Upon Odysseus’s arrival back at home it is likely he may have developed PTSD. PTSD is a tragic disease one may develop after being in a harsh, combat situation, experiencing trauma such as sexual assault or rape, and even from having a child. The Odyssey is an example of a harsh, combat situation which sets the cause for a character in the story to develop the condition. After encountering grueling and brutal battles some may even consider it highly likely. During Odysseus’s trip tragic situations occurred where Odysseus tried to help but unfortunately he saw many of his men die. When he returned home as said on page 1242 “...he fails to recognize his homeland until Athena appears and tells him it is indeed home”. This can be seen as Post Traumatic …show more content…
This can be seen as PTSD because a symptom of PTSD is not being able to have positive and loving feelings towards someone like the way you used to. Additionally, by far the most clarifying moment when recognizing PTSD is on page 1264 when Penelope mentions moving a bed outside the bedchamber with flipped a switch of rage within Odysseus. Odysseus says with great fury “Woman, by heaven you’ve stung me now! Who dared to move my bed?...” Odysseus is instantly enraged by what seems a simple, small gesture. This is seen as a sign of PTSD because a sufferer of PTSD often will suddenly become angry or irritable. Odysseus becomes enraged almost as fast as one can flip a switch, however, he most likely did not intend for it to sound that mean rather it was a trigger of PTSD. All of these situations are examples of how one may see Odysseus to be suffering from PTSD after experiencing warfare and death over a extended period of
Odysseus Dependence In Homer's Odyssey
1666 Words | 7 PagesDepending on Others, Can Teach Self-dependence From a young age people are often told, contradictory things. People are told that they should try to do things on their own, but are also told that, if they need help they should ask for it. These conflicting messages are exceptionally difficult for soldiers trying to assimilate back into society after the war. As soldiers return home, they often try to live self-dependently, but sometimes they need help and have to depend on others. This effects Odysseus because when he needs help, he has to rely on the gods to lead him the right way.
Pathos And Ethos Of Culture In Homer's Odyssey
1177 Words | 5 PagesYes, the terribly challenging circumstances in narrative in which the Odysseus finds himself is a challenge of courage and heroism of which very few would willingly volunteer. His ability to remain courageous in the face of brute beast, the actions of gods and demi-goddesses, and in almost impossible natural and supernatural circumstances certainly admirable. However, it is evident that there are circumstances where his hubris leads him to trust his intellect and wit over more reasonable course of action that not only endanger his life, but the life of his entire
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder In The Odyssey
933 Words | 4 PagesThe Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs claim that PTSD is a growing epidemic, with roughly 5.2 sufferers of the illness in the U.S. today. Homer’s The Odyssey illustrates the story of Odysseus after the Trojan war and his journey back home to Ithaca. During his expedition, Odysseus faces many physically and emotionally challenging situations that affect him psychologically in the future. Many scholars recognize Odysseus as a brave warrior in Homer’s
Examples Of Justice In The Odyssey
755 Words | 4 PagesImagine being apart from your family for over ten years, fighting for your life in a war, and in the many battles and problems you will face on your way home from war. Would you be able to fight a cyclops, pass a dangerous whirlpool and have to face the fact that your crew betrayed you? In the novel The Odyssey written by Homer, Odysseus must do all of these things and more. He has been away from his wife, son and many other family members for over ten years now, fighting for his life on his journey home after fighting in the Trojan war.
Why Is Odysseus Forgetful
1117 Words | 5 PagesIn The Odyssey, Odysseus proves to be a weak leader by being overconfident in Book 9, forgetful in Book 10, dishonest in Book 12, and having a short temper in Books 21-23. Odysseus has been gone from home for twenty years. Ten years in the Trojan War, and ten years trying to get back home. Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, has waited for her husband to return home, and has gotten to the point where she believed that her husband was dead. However, he was not dead.
Comparing Odysseus Return And A Soldier's Return
536 Words | 3 PagesOdysseus was haunted by all the things that happened to him during his journey. For example Odysseus had horrible memories of Poseidon torturing him while we was on his journey at the ocean, he was really stressed. Sometimes when soldiers come back from war they have post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Post traumatic stress disorder is a mental health disorder that can be triggered by seeing terrifying events; such as war or in Odysseus’ case, monsters, and being away from his family for an extended period of time. Odysseus being haunted by all these things could symbolize PTSD, which is found in most
Humility In Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey
846 Words | 4 PagesJohn Ruskin once said, “The first test of truly great man is his humility”. In The Odyssey, an epic poem by Homer, the central character Odysseus learns humility through his failures and growth in obedience making him a hero. Odysseus reaches a heroic status through the lessons learned on his journey, which ultimately taught him the value of obedience and the dangers of arrogance. Initially, Odysseus appears to lack the heroic quality of humility, through his narcissistic nature.
Impulsiveness In The Odyssey
856 Words | 4 PagesOdysseus is talking to Athena when she tells him he has arrived at Ithaca. Odysseus is shell-shocked and come back saying, “But now I beg you by your almighty Father’s name…/for I can’t believe I’ve reached my sunny Ithaca,/ I must be roaming around one more exotic land–/ you’re mocking me, I know it, telling me tales/ to make me lose my way. Tell me the truth now, have I really reached that land I love?” (13. 367-373).
How Does Odysseus Change
147 Words | 1 PagesOne way Homer shows change through Odysseus is how he changed emotionally. The author reveals this by making the statement” and the man looked, away wiping a salt tear from his check”(Homer 1248). This statement was made after Odysseus seen his dog and how him leaving affected the dogs life but also I think it was all his emotions and how he realizes he messed up by leaving. Odysseus reveals these emotions also when he sees his son for the first time. The author tries and paints a picture between a father and sons love when he write “Going forward he kissed the young mans head, his shinning eyes and both hands, while his own tears brimmed and fell” (Homer 1244).
The Role Of Suffering In Homer's Odyssey
1141 Words | 5 PagesDuring Odysseus’ decade-long journey to his home, he encounters many forms of suffering, the most prevalent being transformative in nature. Transformative suffering, which is typically caused by mortals, themselves, alters a mortal being; albeit physically, mentally, or emotionally. In the first few years of his journey, Odysseus suffers the loss of much of his crew. He loses men while plundering a small island; he loses some to the lotus esters; and a few to Polyphemus. Throughout all these sufferings, Odysseus learns that he should listen to the advice of others; thus, transforming him mentally and emotionally through these sufferings.
Odysseus As A Dynamic Character In Homer's Odyssey
1777 Words | 8 PagesA dynamic character is defined as a literary persona who undergoes an important inner change; a change in personality or attitude. Odysseus, main character in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, is no exception. Despite facing the hardships of war and the challenges of the journey home, Odysseus keeps his tactical outlook. However, he does not remain the powerful and confident man that left Ithaka.
Odysseus Crew In The Odyssey
1764 Words | 8 PagesAt various times throughout the story, mainly through the trials, Odysseus made many decisions and forced his crew to go through many potentially lethal situations without preparing his own crew, or situations that were just a waste of time. This then leads to not only all of his crew being killed but the creation of many bad relationships. The first example of Odysseus mistreating his crew is when he and his crew went through the trails, “No more. Come, / let me tell you about the voyage fraught with hardship / Zeus inflicted on me, homeward bound from Troy...” 9.42-44.
Penelope Struggles In The Odyssey
1601 Words | 7 PagesThis sets off many emotions in Odysseus all at once, causing him to weep due to the euphoria of finally holding his wife once again. Odysseus’ persistence in returning home throughout a period of twenty years fulfilled his longing for love and to be reunified with his
The Flawed Character Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey
432 Words | 2 PagesThe main character Odysseus in the Odyssey written by Homer is generally thought to be a great hero; however, he shows more traits of a quite flawed character on closer inspection. Around the beginning of Odysseus’ journey home after the war, Odysseus decides to take a detour to the home of a cyclops deciding to not listen to his men’s suggestions to leave while they still could; consequently, it does not end well: “Ah, how sound that was, Yet I refused. I wished to see the caveman, what he had to offer no pretty sight it turned out, for my friend” (9.130-132). This thought by Odysseus shows that he realized his decision to go to the mysterious island wasn’t the most rational one and that his men’s pleas to leave were the better option, but he decides to be stubborn and place his curiosity before his men’s safety resulting in a non-heroic
The Destruction Of Odysseus Free Will In Homer's Odyssey
656 Words | 3 PagesHomer shows how Odysseus feels the pain of the journey strongly when his men are being devoured by the deadly man eating whirlpool, Charybdis. “She ate them as they shrieked there, in her den, in the dire grapple, reaching still for me- and deathly pity ran through me at that sight- far the worst I have ever suffered…”(Lines 821-825). As his men were being consumed by Charybdis, Odysseus realized that the journey would be more painful than expected. Odysseus also felt the grieving emotional pain of the journey when he watched his men face their inevitable deaths. “ No sooner had I caught the sight of our black hull, than the savory of burnt fat eddied around me; grief took hold of me and I cried aloud…”(895-898).
More about Odysseus Use Of PTSD In Homer's Odyssey
Odysseus Dependence In Homer's Odyssey
1666 Words | 7 PagesPathos And Ethos Of Culture In Homer's Odyssey
1177 Words | 5 PagesPost Traumatic Stress Disorder In The Odyssey
933 Words | 4 PagesExamples Of Justice In The Odyssey
755 Words | 4 PagesWhy Is Odysseus Forgetful
1117 Words | 5 PagesComparing Odysseus Return And A Soldier's Return
536 Words | 3 PagesHumility In Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey
846 Words | 4 PagesImpulsiveness In The Odyssey
856 Words | 4 PagesHow Does Odysseus Change
147 Words | 1 PagesThe Role Of Suffering In Homer's Odyssey
1141 Words | 5 PagesOdysseus As A Dynamic Character In Homer's Odyssey
1777 Words | 8 PagesOdysseus Crew In The Odyssey
1764 Words | 8 PagesPenelope Struggles In The Odyssey
1601 Words | 7 PagesThe Flawed Character Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey
432 Words | 2 PagesThe Destruction Of Odysseus Free Will In Homer's Odyssey
656 Words | 3 Pages