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Pros And Cons Of Odysseus

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In both The Odyssey by Homer and The Golden Ass by Apuleius, struggling is an important aspect. Both Odysseus from The Odyssey and Lucius from The Golden Ass undergo strenuous journeys in order to achieve their goals. Due to Odysseus’ struggles during his journey and his desire to reunite with his family, he can be seen to have experienced more personal suffering than Lucius, who actually benefited from his disguise allowing to fulfill his curiosity.
Odysseus leaves Ithaca to fight in the Trojan War leaving his beloved wife, Penelope and their newborn son behind. And while this battle cost Odysseus ten years of his life, the struggle for homecoming last just as long due to the obstacle set to threaten and deceive him. Odysseus was given multiple …show more content…

Over the twenty-year period of Odysseus’ absence Unavoidable changes occurred it was these changes, and the time he missed with hos family, that caused him to grieve. Odysseus also missed watching his dog age, and when he returned he saw that "There the dog Argos lay in dung, all covered with dog ticks. Now as he perceived that Odysseus had come close to him, he wagged his tail, and laid both his ears back; only he now no longer had the strength to come any closer to his master, who, watching him from a distance, without Eumaios noticing, secretly wiped a tear away” (Homer, 17.301-17.305) Odysseus mourned over the fact that when he left Argos was strong and prompt almost like how Odysseus was but when he returned Argos was abandoned and neglected. He seemed ill as though he was dying. Argos was the first to recognize Odysseus when he came home when no one else could, and it was Argos’s loyalty that touched Odysseus' heart leading him to shed a tear, and while they could have grown old together they didn’t have the opportunity to due to the long separation. This moment made Odysseus realize that he has missed out and a numerous amount of memories and experiences with his family and his dog that he can never get

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