Theme Of Pride In The Iliad And The Odyssey

Chivalry was also seen in the short story From Morte D’Arthur. Chivalry is shown in From Morte D’Arthur by the loyalty that Sir Lancelot shows King Arthur. Sir Lancelot battles Sir Gawain for King Arthur as he is the favorite knight of King Arthur. “Here Lancelot is Arthur 's favorite, although he does kill Gawain 's brothers and commits adultery with the queen. And the final tragedy is that eventually Arthur and Lancelot end up battling each other as Camelot tears itself apart”(Adams).

The Odyssey In Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus is bestowed with great abilities. But along with this potential, he is cursed with great arrogance. Conveying that even the labeled ‘perfect’ among us have fatal flaws that causes pain and suffering among the ones closest to them. The author, Homer, uses Odysseus’ arrogance to create a melancholic atmosphere to convey the idea that arrogance is a fatal flaw that will lead those around them to pain and suffering. Odysseus shows considerable hubris when he brags to King Alconis about slaughtering the small village of Ismarus.

The first deadly sin implemented into the story is pride. Three rioters become aware of their friend being taken by death. The men claim that they will “slay this traitor Death” (371). Although Chaucer knows death not to be man, he personifies it in this tale into the form of a man. This quote demonstrates the deadly sin of pride because the foolish rioters think they can avenge their friend against an unknown enemy.

He decides to stab Polyphemus, the cyclops, in the eye with a wooden stake. Since Odysseus had told Polyphemus earlier that “Nobody---that’s my name,”(Homer 223.410) none of Polyphemus’ brothers came to help him when he started screaming that “Nobody” was attacking him. Another time when Odysseus was very skillful was when he goes back to his home, and he disguises himself as a beggar. When he pulls back the rags, he is described as “Odysseus master of craft and battle.” (Homer 439. 1) He then fights and kills all the suitors in his home in Ithaca with some help from his son.

War brings out the best in Homer’s heroes, as they tap previously unknown reserves of strength, courage, and loyalty. But war also can bring out the worst in men. The theme of honor and masculinity is very strong that it overshadows the barbarity and unavoidable death or war. If they don’t battle it is considered an insult to masculinity. Achilles is driven by pride, anger and grief which leads him to go to war.

Hubris is one of the many themes that were brought up in the Iliad. Its definition is extreme pride and arrogance shown by a person that will bring downfall to that person or to others. The first time this theme is brought up is when Helen leaves with Paris. Agamemnon uses Helen as an excuse to rile up all the Greek kings. Agamemnon knew that if they beat Troy, then he would control a major passage of trade which would make him the undisputed ruler of all of Greece.

In The Odyssey, the Cyclops is a monster because of his key differences from mere human beings, specifically his lack of wit and of morals. Depicting these qualities as monstrous support that cleverness and a general regard for human life were heavily valued in Greek culture. Odysseus easily trick the Cyclops bragging, “I poured him another fiery bowl - three bowls I brimmed and three he drank to the last drop, the fool”(9.404-406). To describe the bowls of wine as fiery foreshadows the demise of the Cyclops. Odysseus was able to use his brain, not strength, to make the Cyclops drink himself into a stupor.

These abilities are important as a warrior because both his men and the hero reflect and are influenced by them. Some of the abilities are excellence in war, courage, leadership and fighting qualities. These qualities are seen through the heroic characters Hector and Achilles. When Achilles is not present with his men, the Greeks are well defeated by the Trojans with no motivation or support. Achilles is also described by his men as a power figure when the poem says “These were his words,/ and all Achaeans gave a roar of joy/ to hear the Prince abjure his rage.” (R 23-35).

The Odyssey shows that having too much pride, confidence, and anger can negatively affect you, and the people around you. I think the Odyssey stresses Odysseus's fatal traits. Those being pride, anger, and having too much confidence. One example from the epic, is how Odyssey's pride delays his journey nearly a decade. Odysseus's pride wouldn’t let Nahbody get the credit of blinding the cyclops so he said his name and address.

There was a man they met who sold his soul to the Devil to make him better at the guitar. In this part it helps them out when they go to a radio station to record a number 1 hit song which spread around very quickly. One bad person they meet is a bible salesman who in The Odyssey you would compare to the giant. He brings them to a picnic and beats them and robs them. Another man they meet is the great mafia man Baby Face Nelson.