The Devine Odyssey
Respect is one of the utmost qualities to ever learn in life. Many stories have been created to teach this and other qualities to its reader, but in a variety of ways. Mythological books and poems have gods that demand respect and if it is not given then it can result in death or endless torture. One book that portrays this struggle between the gods and mortals is Homer’s The Odyssey.
In The Odyssey, mortals tend to rely on the gods and goddesses to protect them and provide the materials that they need to survive. Respect is how the mortals pay back the gods through sacrifice. Phaeacia is one of the most ideal of places for respect and love for the gods. The king and queen of Phaeacia follow xenia, hospitality and all of the respectful customs to new guests, and they always sacrifice to Poseidon the best of their flock. Phaeacians have not had any real problems with their kingdom because they always did the right things. This alone could explain why respecting your land and those around you can be so crucial to life.
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Polyphemus began to eat Odysseus’ men and they were trying to escape and so they stabbed the cyclops in his eye and got away. As they were sailing away the cyclops was throwing boulders at their ship but could not aim because of his eye. Odysseus thinks he is a badass and calls out to the cyclops telling him his name and this is where his mistake was made. Boasting is typically seen as disrespectful to a lot of people, and in return Poseidon, god of the sea, seeks vengeance for is son by setting Odysseus and his men further off course from home. If Odysseus decided to not boast and just get away, then he would have probably been home eight years
The Ithacan king is intelligent, loyal to his wife, and has a intimate relationship with the gods. In our modern society, just recently it has not been expected of to be religious. On the other hand, being clever, cunning, and intelligent, is still something that is well respected. Equally as respected as being a loyal spouse. However, The Odyssey also taught that a hero is never perfect.
In Homer’s “The Odyssey” the traces and nuances of this pursuit can be found in the very structure and hierarchy of Ancient Greece. Through his storytelling, Homer paints a vivid picture of adventure and wonder, but even while Homer tries to deliver an
The Greek gods and goddesses are the ultimate representation how Greek culture. Since the gods and goddesses did not mention Odysseus’ lack of sexual fidelity, this shows that the values for men in Greek culture were not infringed upon. Sexual fidelity and how it is dealt with by the story’s most important characters in The Odyssey show the morals of Greek
Throughout the story, Odysseus demonstrates his courage that ultimately allows him to survive. One of these moments was during his journey back to Ithaca, where he faces a race of man eating giants called the Cyclops. Odysseus originally stops his ship there to relish a feast while on his journey back to Ithaca, but while doing so, out of curiosity explores the island. Soon, he finds a deserted house and decides to wait of the owner. The owner was unknowingly one the Cyclops, named Polyphemus.
Odysseus does this because he is prideful and haughty and wants Polyphemus to know who Odysseus was and that Odysseus defeated him. However, by doing so, he alerts Polyphemus of their location, and the cyclops hurls a massive boulder at the men, causing, “a giant wave that washed the ship stern foremost back to shore” (III: 484-485). This shows that Odysseus’ pride and honor which causes him to boast to others about his victories and their losses, is very dangerous to him and his crew. Instead of taking the easy way out, Odysseus decides to show off to the cyclops, who nearly washed them back to shore and kills them because of Odysseus’ foolish arrogance. Figurative Language: 1.
While Odysseus and his crew are slowly moving away from Cyclopes Island, Odysseus tells Polyphemus that he is “Odysseus, Laertes’ son,” whose home “lies on Ithaca” (Homer 459 and 460). Because of his arrogant decision to tell Polyphemus the truth of his origins, he essentially dooms him and his crew. Polyphemus, who is Poseidon's son, asks of his father to punish Odysseus for his arrogance, whom grants his prayer. In cessation, Odysseus’ haughty decision to tell Polyphemus his whereabouts leads to his utter
When they get back to the boat and Odysseus yells out to the Cyclopes his name. Which means a harder journey for Odysseus and his men because Polyphemus is Poseidon's son. In this book Odysseus shows his pride when he yells from the boat and almist gets him and his men killed. In the movie Odysseus pride is most shown when he blames her situation solely on his men.
To Respect or to be a Kiss Up “Treat others the way you want to be treated. ” We’ve all heard that overused phrase growing up. The same goes for me as well, and to me, respect has been a huge part of my culture and many other Asian cultures. Respect is the root of what makes people who they are today. It shows that you admire them, that you care for them, or possibly even fear them.
Have you ever felt tempted to cheat on your homework or on a test? Have you been prideful of what your status or accomplishments? In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, the brave hero Odysseus encountered these obstacles of temptations and pride that people today still face. Therefore, temptation and pride were Odysseus’ greatest enemy throughout his journey back to Ithaca, as they distracted him on his voyage, prevented him from getting home, and displeased the gods.
Homer develops the idea of hospitality in The Odyssey by employing several examples in the text such as respect to the gods and goddesses, as well as respect from the people of Phaeacia. The actions of these characters
The Odyssey is an epic poem written by the blind, illiterate poet Homer. It takes place in ancient Greece and tells of a man’s journey home from war. The topic, intervention of the gods, is seen throughout the book numerous times as the gods who are in favor of Odysseus lend a helping hand. It is well-known that the gods are very important to the Greeks. In this epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer demonstrates the importance of the positive and encouraging intervention of the gods in Greek culture; the brave actions, encouraging words, and cunning strategies of Athena as she assists and guides Odysseus on his journey back home.
The relationships between the Greek gods and mortals have always been complicated. The gods can be generous and supportive, but also harsh and destructive towards the humans. They claim to be all powerful beings with unlimited power and influence, but in truth, they are far more human than they are perceived. They meddle with human lives, not because they are wise, but because of their own selfish reasons. In Homer’s
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.
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
A major theme in the Odyssey is reciprocity: people getting what they deserve. Reciprocity is an important theme in the Odyssey because it explains why Odysseus’ journey was very long and treacherous. Eurylochus, Antinous, and Odysseus all suffered consequences due to poorly made actions. Each of them made the wrong decisions which lead to death and a long/adventurous journey. Eurylochus was the first to be killed by Odysseus and his men due to his actions.