ipl-logo

Pride In The Odyssey

1230 Words5 Pages

Shelsea Lopez-Massella
Contrast in the Usage of Pride within the Biblical text and Homeric Epic

Differing texts, the Odyssey and the Hebrew Bible serve to exemplify how “pride” is a term whose definition can be a spectrum with opposing ends rather than a solid meaning. As a word, it is able to connote a definition ranging from narcissism and self-adsorption, to self-assurance and respect for one’s reputation. Pride is an essential aspect of the Greek “hero”, being a characteristic that separates the common man from one of noble lineage and authority. Contrasting to the Homeric use of pride in heroism, the biblical use of the trait is always that of an example of behavior or character that is best averted rather than embraced; as it is a …show more content…

Here, the pride of the men is a shot at elevating themselves above others, to put themselves in a lofty tower that shadows all, leading them to a disarray of language barriers set in place by the Lord. The vanity in pride leads to calamity, undermines accomplishments, and harms their well-being. Solidifying the writers’ use of the malevolent behavior in characters to symbolize the foreshadowing of injury.
Unlike the constant negativity and sin that is imbedded in the anatomy of biblical individuals, Homer utilizes pride to expand the self, per se, allowing each character to either retain his current fame and reputation (in the case of Odysseus) or to seek out one’s purpose and build a name for himself through pursuit of glory (which we see in the character progression of …show more content…

Being a somewhat xenophobic society the Greeks, in this case the Phaeacians, must guarantee that the visitor is friend and not foe, prior opening their homes in hospitality. If they could not receive proof of his noble lineage, Odysseus ran the risk of execution or expulsion. There plays the role of pride; a hero must maintain his air of pride, and self-acknowledgment in his own accomplishments, tales of glory, and brawn, otherwise he is deemed weak in mind and spirit or perhaps seen as an unknown, and therefore, a

Show More
Related

  • Shame In The Odyssey

    297 Words  | 2 Pages

    We came up with the conclusion of Jesus assuming that the centurion is challenging his honor by sending the Jewish elders instead of going to Jesus himself for assistance. In a broker client relationship there is not mediated between the two by having the elders mediated implies that he wants to shame Jesus publicly. The centurion sees Jesus as broker between him and god so by publicly challenging him ensure that if the servant was not healed, people’s doubt about Gods power will continue. To answer the second question we believe that there is honor challenged between clients, brokers and patrons when favors are asked this is proven when Malina and Rohrbaugh state that by “Giving a gift is a positive challenge and requires reciprocation in kind (Kindle Location 1185).”

    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

  • Greek Values In Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

    811 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the Odyssey by Homer, one heroic trait that Odysseus shows his preeminence which articulates the Greek cultural value of leading your men to victory. For example, the theme is made apparent when Odysseus visualizes “Bow to stem, trying to put heart into them, standing over every oarsmen, gently” (782, book 12). This shows that Odysseus knows his men can overcome the fear of dying and can save themselves. This is important because Odysseus’ trait is guidance and he strongly portrays that.

    Read More

  • Humility In Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey

    846 Words  | 4 Pages

    John 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.

    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

  • Pride And Recklessness In Homer's The Odyssey

    1107 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Odyssey by Homer is an exemplary story that teaches life lessons to those going on a journey for themselves. It illustrates how the challenges and obstacles one may face can help someone become a better leader. The Odyssey highlights one man, Odysseus, a man filled with excessive pride, experiencing the wrath of the god Poseidon. He expects to arrive at his home, Ithaca, safely to reunite with his wife, Penelope, but unfortunately faces many temptations and setbacks. Due to the challenges he faces, it prevents him from arriving home as early as he thought he would.

    Read More

  • Temptation And Pride In The Odyssey

    664 Words  | 3 Pages

    People today experience pride in their life, just has Odysseus had

    Read More

  • The Transformation Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

    688 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Odyssey: A Comparison Of The Hero's Hero

    1072 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Odyssey is often cited as an epitome of the hero’s journey and the monomyth. The hero of the story, Odysseus is on a 10 year battle homeward from the Trojan War to see his wife and son again. With the help divine intervention, Odysseus is able to return home and save his wife from the evil suitors who have continuously tried to win her. One could easily argued that Odysseus is an exemplar of the hero, but there is another story: Odysseus is the opposite of a hero and is not worthy to be called such. He is the villain where the gods are the hero.

    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

  • Honor And Dignity In Homer's The Odyssey

    1018 Words  | 5 Pages

    Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, chronicles the homeward bound voyage of the main character, King Odysseus of Ithaca. After Trojan War which lasted ten years, Odysseus sets foot on another adventure, which also spans ten years, to return to Ithaca. Odysseus is gone from his home for a total twenty years, but upon his arrival back to Ithaca, he finds that his title has been defended by his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus, who have been awaiting his return this entire time. Odysseus and Penelope are meant to be a model couple, so people often argue about which of the two is more admirable. To be admirable is to have faced a struggle with honor and dignity.

    Read More

  • Cultural Values In The Odyssey In Homer's The Odyssey

    1299 Words  | 6 Pages

    However, some characters in the epic display many great qualities. In The Odyssey by Homer, loyalty, courage, and trickery are displayed throughout the book in a positive manner, showing that they are the Greek’s cultural values. First, loyalty is shown as a cultural

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Heroic Code In The Iliad

    1570 Words  | 7 Pages

    In the epic poem, the Iliad written by Homer, several characters taking part in the warfare between the Achaeans and the Trojans are portrayed as embodying the heroic code of courage, physical strength, leadership, arete of value of honour, and the acceptance of fate. The heroic code is illustrated by the actions of the Trojan prince, Hector and the Achaeans strongest warrior, Achilles. Both of these characters display the Greek’s image of a hero, and can also let the reader discern what the society admires, looks up to and aspires to in its heroes. There are also characters who fail to be heroic, such as the Trojan “vivid and beautiful” prince, Paris. These characters in the Iliad illustrate the qualities that Ancient Greek society values.

    Read More

  • Heroism In The Odyssey

    1332 Words  | 6 Pages

    Heroism, tends to be difficult to define and remarkably ambiguous in literary works. In the Odyssey, however, Homer clearly defines a hero as a humble, determined, and loyal individual; thus, according to Homer, it is not enough to claim to be a hero, but it is also important to exhibit those qualities that Homer values as heroism. Odysseus, despite claiming heroism, upholds these traits inconsistently, as seen in his taunting of Polyphemus. In contrast, Telemachus, Odysseus’ overlooked son, dramatically grows up over the course of the epic and ultimately reveals his truly heroic qualities by the end of the poem. Thus, because Odysseus claims to be a hero, but fails to remain humble, determined, and loyal throughout the epic, he is not a hero.

    Read More

  • Sight Vs. Blindness In Sophocles Oedipus The King

    1063 Words  | 5 Pages

    Sometimes in life people can be “blind” to the truth. The answer to their question or solution to their worry or problem may have been obvious yet, they could not “see” the answer. Therefore, they were blind to the truth. This blindness is not one in a physical sense but another kind of sight or vision. In Sophocles’ writing, Tiresias is a blind prophet that presents the truth to King Oedipus.

    Read More

More about Pride In The Odyssey

Open Document