The Exemplars In Homer's The Odyssey

The decisions and actions Odysseus makes throughout his Odyssey, not only call upon the person he is but shape the person he becomes, with many of the challenges honing his character. Homer uncovers the traits that most befittingly define Odysseus as honor, courage and guile. The traits that are glorified in The Odyssey, connect to recent times because they are comparable to those we think of when defining a hero or an impeccable human being. Odysseus’ use of his honor, courage and guile showcase how these traits allowed him to excel in his time and also are key traits all should have for the challenges we must face in

From Odysseus’ time with Calypso in Ogygia up until the moment he takes back his home and wife from the suitors in Ithaca, the struggles he faces help answer what makes for a good life. Homer uses Odysseus’ journey throughout “The Odyssey” to identify four aspects of a good life: mortality, honor, hospitality, and experiences. Homer reveals that mortality is necessary for a good life when Odysseus denies the opportunity for immortality that Calypso offers, he shows the significance of honor in his description of Odysseus’ bravery in the Trojan war and the consequent respect that Odysseus’ crew has for him, Homer reinforces the importance of hospitality in each city Odysseus travels to, and he conveys that experiences, good or bad, define a good life.

A 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. Yes, Odysseus has god like stature, but years of growth and challenges reduced him to some of his weakest points. Despite not always physically aging thanks to sea nymph Kalypso and ambrosia, the years, heartbreak, and homesickness pile up on the hero mentally. Throughout his countless attempts to return home to his beloved Penelope, and growing son

The 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 The Odyssey, but in fact, Odysseus is a soldier who displays evident symptoms, including depression, excessive anger, and paranoia, of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or a “psychological injury,” as psychologist Jonathan Shay refers it.

‘The Odyssey’ by Homer, follows the story of Odysseus, a great Greek hero. It tells of his venture to Troy, to lead his army in the Trojan War, and his separation from loved ones and his kingdom for twenty years. However, the novel mainly focuses on the story of his homecoming and all he, and many others, had to endure while he was returning from abroad. Penelope, his wife, is greatly affected; as many greedy suitors disrespect her and move into their home to try and win her hand in marriage. Throughout ‘The Odyssey’, the greed and folly of men play a huge part in increasing the difficulty and severity of Odysseus’s situations and ultimately change his fate and the directions of his journey.

During Odysseus’ journey home from Calypso’s island, he pleas for help from the immortals. “I throw myself on your mercy, on your current now- I have suffered greatly. Pity me, lord, your suppliant cries for help” (Homer 5.494-496). Odysseus has accepted his mortality, and is begging to higher beings for help. Through his suffering, Odysseus is recognizing the power the deathless gods possess and his need for their support, showcasing a newfound humility. Odysseus’ reverence to the gods is shown again after the suitors families and the town learns of Odysseus’ homicide, they come after the royal family. Athena and Zeus come to Ithaca, ordering a peace. Homer describes the event and Odysseus’ reaction, “So she commanded. He obeyed her, glad at heart." (Homer 24.598). Odysseus has grown from the man he was before, as now he finds comfort and safety in obeying the gods when in the past he did not consider their wishes. Odysseus has only returned due to Athena and he has recognized that and his compliance is founded in his appreciation and respect for her. Odysseus is now a hero due to the obedience he now has to the gods, founded in a sense of humility.

“The Odyssey” is an Epic Poem which discusses the life story of Odysseus. The main focus of the poem is the journey of Odysseus and his way back home. Certain events distract him, most importantly; his encounter with the Gods, Goddesses. It takes Odysseus all of what it takes to head back home, including his bravery and intelligence. These qualities in Odysseus not only help himself but his men survive through the chaos of the journey called “The Odyssey”.

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

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.

In the epic story the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is returning from the Trojan war, and on his way home he finds many obstacles ahead of him. Odysseus is the ruler of Ithaca and he is trying to return home to his land. Many creatures try and stop him from achieving his goal of returning home, but he and his crew have to push through and get home. Odysseus portrays bravery and courage leading his crew through these tough challenges. Odysseus heroically leads his crew and himself through dangerous obstacles, but also foolishly endangers them during the journey home.

TS1 (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.

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.

In particular, prior to his encounter with Circe, he was offered an intriguing feast, but “ yet his mind remains on his captive men”( Homer 180 Summary). Regardless of his position, showing care for his men’ assurance proved that his obligation comes first before anything else. In Odysseus’ journey as a hero, this episode is stage six where he was tested of his capabilities. Correspondingly, when his devotees are in despair, Odysseus asks, “ have we never in danger before this?” to them( Homer 191 l. 54). He reminds them of their experiences and provides their courage and confidence back. Odysseus manages his men’ inconvenience feelings; he follows through his responsibility as a leader. On the contrary, after showing an outstanding act of leadership, by the same token, Odysseus display a hubris and the incorrigible side of him that legitimize him deficient. When departing the land of the Cyclopes, he yelled back “ how do you like the beating..you damned cannibal” to Polyphemus ( Homer 171 ll. 340-341). This impetuous movement was the cause of his curse ; if Odysseus left the island without a word, he wouldn’t have the curse. The curse of losing all of his men. Although this may be true, his outbreak from the dilemma that he bought demonstrates guidance. To enumerate, Odysseus projected a machination, “ so three sheep could convey each man”( Homer 170 l. 289). The scheme was to hide under the

Style5 conventions (121) - Homer used invocation, this is when someone, most likely the hero, asks for help, in medias res, this is when there is something in the middle of a story without any preamble, epic similes, this is a very detailed simile and it can be multiple lines long, metrical similes, this is the rhythm of the poem, and stock epithets, this is a descriptive phrase.

The Odyssey, written by Homer, is one of the most well-known stories about struggle and war, encompassing Odysseus’ twenty-year struggle to battle in the Trojan War and return home. At first glance, the poem appears to be about a “hero’s colorful, salt-caked adventures on the high seas [and] his encounters with witches, nymphs, and cyclops” (Higgins 3). The story relates to that of a soldier’s in today’s time. Throughout the epic poem, Homer reveals the countless number of challenges that Odysseus faces during his adventuress. Odysseus is accompanied by his crew, but unlike other stories, Homer shares the names and families of almost all the fallen crewmen. The deaths in The Odyssey are exceptionally bloody and filled with gore, allowing the reader to visualize and understand the true horror and violence held in the scenes. Additionally, he was reluctant in setting out for war and wished that he could stay back and