Pitfalls Of Temptation In The Odyssey
Temptation Traps Like A Cage
Pitfalls are more than just holes in the ground for trapping bears. In fact, getting caught in any risky or dangerous situation is a pitfall. Temptation can often be considered a one-way ticket to dangerous situations, even when the tempted least expect it. The tempted often feel inclined to take certain actions to fulfill their wants or needs, even if their reasoning is telling them it could put them in danger. This forms the very foundation of the idea of the pitfalls of temptation. The theme “pitfalls of temptation” are demonstrated in The Odyssey by Homer as well as in real life. And, no, this paper is not about how to make bear traps.
First, the “pitfalls of temptation” are demonstrated several times in the Odyssey. One example of this is when Odysseus’ men
…show more content…
Odysseus decides to pray to the gods to end their hunger, but to no avail. A character named Eurylochus then suggests that the men eat the cattle, explaining that they should not listen to Odysseus because, in his opinion famine is the worst form of death. “‘Comrades,’ he said, ‘You’ve gone through everything: listen to what I have to say. All deaths are hateful to us, mortal wretches, but famine is the most pitiful, the worst end that man can come to’” (863-867). After this, the men agree with their fellow shipmate. They eat the cattle while Odysseus is sleeping. Lord Helios finds out and tells Zeus. The men don't realize the consequences of their actions, and Zeus shocks their ship with his thunderbolt, nearly destroying the entire ship. Another example of “the pitfalls of temptation” is when birdlike-creatures try to lure Odysseus’ men away from their boat. Odysseus warns his men that the creatures are coming, but they do not know when they will come. When the creatures approach Odysseus and his men, they start to lure them
Comparing Veasey In The Odyssey And Cold Mountain
482 Words | 2 PagesDespite this, they give in to their hunger, forgoing fasting for the prime cattle of the gods themselves. In parallel, Veasey is also a man of religion, yet as a priest, he is even more tightly bound to the laws of his god. Despite his apparent duties, Veasey is frequently shown to hedonistically over-indulge as well as greedily steal from those who deserve better than he, claiming that “the Good Lord is very flexible on the subject.” Both the crew of Odysseus and Veasey are slain by the end of the book. The two fall to the main antagonists of their
The Negative Effects Of Curiosity In Homer's The Odyssey
1064 Words | 5 PagesEarlier in the epic, Odysseus frequently abuses his role as captain of his crew because of his curious nature. He makes several stops on their journey home in search of more opportunities to prove his skillfulness, even though he is already a king and has won a major war. One of these stops is at the Island of Polyphemus, home to the cyclops famed for eating all humans that enter his cave. Even though Odysseus is well aware of the danger ahead, his curiosity tempts him to
Odysseus Is To Blame For The Death Of The Crew In The Odyssey
933 Words | 4 PagesEven though Odysseus strongly warned the crew about harming the cattle, they still followed Eurylochus’ lead. The decision to ignore Odysseus was detrimental, as after, Helios found out and was assisted by Zeus to bring harm to Odysseus and his men. A devastating storm hit the ship, killing the crew. Odysseus had emphasized to not harm the cattle, but the crew’s ignorance and disregard for Odysseus’ commands is what kills them in the
Examples Of Greed In The Odyssey
877 Words | 4 PagesGreed can be a good thing if it is used for the right reasons. For example, greed can be the key that leads to success. If a person wants to achieve recognition, they’ll go extreme measures to make it happen such as inventing something, excelling in their studies, or even being the best. However, in most cases, greed can lead to disaster. Having the desire to obtain something a person already possesses is selfish.
A Character Analysis Of Odysseus Arrogance In The Odyssey
414 Words | 2 PagesOdysseus 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.
Examples Of Dishonesty In The Odyssey
1122 Words | 5 PagesBefore leaving The Land of the Dead, Teiresias told Odysseus that they will face destruction and only he will survive to return home. After the prophecy, Odysseus and his men encountered Charybdis and Scylla. To avoid destruction, Odysseus demanded his men to sail the ship quickly through Scylla and hug onto the cliff. Odysseus did not want his men to lose hope and turn against him if they knew that only Odysseus would return home. To avoid his men going against him, “Odysseus does not tell his men of Circe’s last prophecy-that he will be the only survivor of their long journey,” (Homer 716-719).
Temptation And Pride In The Odyssey
664 Words | 3 PagesOdysseus and his crew members longed to return home, however this desire was in conflict with the many temptations that they faced. These are similar to the temptations that people today face. For example, on the island of the Lotus Eaters, Odysseus and his men were offered the Lotus
Should Eurylochus Have Eaten The Cattle In The Odyssey
402 Words | 2 PagesWhen to decide to eat the cattle nothing was on their mind but themselves. Odysseus men decided to turn against their promise that they had made to Odysseus. They were told clearly not to eat the cattle. They were not suppose to displease Helios, the gods had understood their talents while humans did not. The men should of sacrificed their life instead of eating someone's
The Consequences Of Eating In Homer's The Odyssey
1054 Words | 5 PagesHowever, the monsters are not as interested in the indulgence of juicy steak, wine, or even the enticing and mystical lotus flowers, but rather in human flesh and blood. The Cyclops, Polyphemus, that Odysseus encounters on his journey gruesomely devours many sailors, tempted by the thought of being able to consume human “innards, flesh, and marrow bones.” The Cyclops continues his feast, “filling his belly with manflesh and great gulps of whey” (IX 312-322), as he greedily causes the demise of many sailors. This passage further reminds readers of the negative consequences of succumbing to the temptation of overindulging. It also acts as a clear warning to readers that feasting in excess is animalistic and inhuman.
Temptation In The Odyssey
381 Words | 2 PagesHowever, they were tempted and killed the cow anyway. His crew's actions hurt Odysseus’s journey. Finally, a temptation described in The Odyssey was the proposed killing of Telemachus. When Antonius proposed ambushing him at sea, Amphinomus resisted the temptation and convinced others to do the same. Amphinomus was rewarded for this later in the book, when beggar Odysseus warned him of the impending slaughter.
Diction And Imagery In Homer's Odyssey
472 Words | 2 PagesWe can depict this through a quote found in chapter 9, “A wind from seaward served him, drove us there. We are survivors, these good men and I.” Being the heartless creature the cyclops is, he still goes on to eat Odysseus’ men, shocking them as they believed they should have gotten better treatment and a gracious greeting from the Cyclops as if they were noble heroes. However, soon Odysseus learns that
Temptation In The Odyssey Analysis
704 Words | 3 PagesTS1 (Thesis): In The Odyssey, Homer depicts Odysseus’ real foe as the theme of temptation with displays of hubris and lustrous goddesses, which portrays the importance of being vigilant to not submit to temptation. ST1: Homer depicts that Odysseus is determined to get home, but Odysseus succumbs to temptation when he leads his crew into the cyclops lair, eats the cyclops’ food, and demands for a gift, resulting in a protracted journey home. 1: Homer displays Odysseus as recklessly brave when he requests, “we’re at your knees, in hopes of… a guest-gift”(9.300) from the cyclops. 2: It is apparent that Odysseus has given into the temptation to be arrogant when he declares for the cyclops to give them, “a guest-gift,” after Odysseus and his men have broken into the cyclops lair, showing even further Odysseus’ isn’t vigilant to
Theme Of Gluttony In The Odyssey
1067 Words | 5 PagesThis George Herbert quote is taken literally, as all of Odysseus's men did not return home after their battle, due to the temptation of food. Odysseus is able to show his heroic traits through resisting this temptation of food, while he also showed is natural human traits when he gives in to gluttony, making Odysseus a token hero in ancient Greece. The repeated motif of gluttony and its consequences points to a strong ethical principal among the ancient Greeks. In many instances, such as Odysseus's encounter with the Cyclopes, the Island of the Lotus Eaters, The Cattle of the Sun, and the suitors behavior in the palace, characters in The Odyssey are confronted with
Morality In The Odyssey
1314 Words | 6 PagesWhat is the definition of a good person? The view of a good person changes as time goes on. However, the Odyssey is still the foundation of human morality. The Odyssey, created by Homer, is an ancient telling of a man named Odysseus and his journey home from the Trojan War. The morals found in the Odyssey show readers the benefit of being able to view situations from multiple points of view.
Theme Of Reciprocity In The Odyssey
1190 Words | 5 PagesEurylochus convinced the crew to go behind Odysseus’ back and do what they were told not while Odysseus was sleeping by saying “Comrades, he said, you 've gone through everything; listen to what I say. All deaths are hateful to us, mortal wretches, but famine is the most pitiful, the worst end that a man can come to. Will you fight it?...better open your lungs to a big sea once for all then waste to skin and bones on a lonely island”(pg 841 L221-257). When Odysseus found out, he blamed Zeus because he 's the one who put Odysseus to sleep. Helios asked Zeus
More about Pitfalls Of Temptation In The Odyssey
Comparing Veasey In The Odyssey And Cold Mountain
482 Words | 2 PagesThe Negative Effects Of Curiosity In Homer's The Odyssey
1064 Words | 5 PagesOdysseus Is To Blame For The Death Of The Crew In The Odyssey
933 Words | 4 PagesExamples Of Greed In The Odyssey
877 Words | 4 PagesA Character Analysis Of Odysseus Arrogance In The Odyssey
414 Words | 2 PagesExamples Of Dishonesty In The Odyssey
1122 Words | 5 PagesTemptation And Pride In The Odyssey
664 Words | 3 PagesShould Eurylochus Have Eaten The Cattle In The Odyssey
402 Words | 2 PagesThe Consequences Of Eating In Homer's The Odyssey
1054 Words | 5 PagesTemptation In The Odyssey
381 Words | 2 PagesDiction And Imagery In Homer's Odyssey
472 Words | 2 PagesTemptation In The Odyssey Analysis
704 Words | 3 PagesTheme Of Gluttony In The Odyssey
1067 Words | 5 PagesMorality In The Odyssey
1314 Words | 6 PagesTheme Of Reciprocity In The Odyssey
1190 Words | 5 Pages