Homer’s Epic The Odyssey Essay - 645 Words

A hero isn’t shaped by his strengths but by the values he possesses. Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, reveals the moral and ethical constitution of the ancient Greeks. Over time, certain cultures have grown to value a number of human characteristics. Those who acquire such values become respected heroes. After the fall of Troy, the protagonist of the epic, Odysseus, set sail for his home, Ithaca, where his faithful wife and son were waiting for him. Over the course of his journey, Odysseus faced some of the most ferocious opponents known to the Greeks. Even through this formidable journey, Odysseus and his family have stayed true to the diverse aspects of the ancient Greeks. The Odyssey exemplifies the human ideals of hospitality, loyalty and†¦show more content†¦After twenty years apart from Odysseus, Penelope longed for her husband to return with the frank hope that he still lived. She stayed faithful to Odysseus even when everyone declared he was dead and her hand some suitors battled for her hand in marriage. Loyalty is the most desired value in an individual, human or not, whether it’s toward your family, country, or a cause. Perseverance is a human quality expressed in The Odyssey that the Greeks valued. As Charybdis sucked up the water and everything in it, Odysseus â€Å"sprang for the great fig tree†¦nowhere had [he] to stand, no way of climbing†¦but [he] clung grimly† (807-813). Odysseus was determined to make it back to his wife and he wouldn’t let even a great force like Charybdis stop him from that. With sheer willpower he hung on to that branch for hours and hours until the monster spit out his raft. When his ship landed in Thrinacia, Odysseus warned his crew that â€Å"the cattle here are not for [their] provision, or [they] pay dearly for it† (676-677). Odysseus’ crew were tired and hungry hence they wanted to stop as long as they promised to not slaughter Helios’ cattle for food. Hunger overcame them and Odysseus was the only one who resisted the temptation of a nice meal in order to live one more day. The desire to survive and achieve is a charact eristic of anShow MoreRelatedEpic Passages of The Epic of Gilgamesh and Homers Odyssey921 Words   |  4 Pageshero? In the two epic passages The Epic of Gilgamesh and Homers Odyssey, heroism appears to be a clear distinction with the literature, and has the same basic framework as today’s definition of a hero. Historically, in the texts, heroes such as Gilgamesh and Odysseus are protagonists viewed and credited with great bravery and most certainly heroism. Nearly all of the heroic figures throughout time, both fictitious and living and are viewed as a protagonist in their own epic challenge or struggleRead MoreOdysseus As The Epic Hero In Homers Odyssey1019 Words   |  5 PagesOdysseus as the Epic Hero in Homer’s The Odyssey A style of work often explored in Greek literature is that of the epic. An expansive poem of a wide scope centered on and regarding the wondrous deeds of the main, heroic figure, on whose actions depend the fate of a nation. The definition of an epic can be used to describe The Odyssey by Homer. In The Odyssey we are introduced to our main character, Odysseus, the former king of Ithaca and a Trojan war hero who has been trapped on an Island by theRead MoreEpic Hero in Homers The Odyssey Essay951 Words   |  4 PagesEpic Hero in Homers The Odyssey With its larger-than-life plot twists, The Odyssey is a classic representation of an epic in literature. With that understood, it is no surprise that the main character of the story helps to define an epic hero. A character must express certain virtues to be considered such. Strength, courage, and nobility are almost prerequisites. Cleverness is an added bonus. Odysseus possesses many characteristics and virtues that make him a true representation of an epic heroRead MoreEssay on Homers Odyssey as a Moral Epic2528 Words   |  11 Pages  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   A large number of the works of ancient poetry and literature have been said to carry a moral undertone. Homers Odyssey is no exception. This essay explores the moral positions that the poem seems to adopt. Subsequently, it will show that while the Odyssey is indeed a moral epic, the moral position of the main characters themselves, namely Odysseus and the Gods, can, at times, be questionable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Loyalty is one moral value that is evident throughout the poem. NoRead MoreHomers Epic Poem, The Odyssey Essay1051 Words   |  5 PagesIn Homers epic poem, the Odyssey, the recurring theme of intelligence is important because through intelligence, Odysseus is able to utilize wit and cunning to suit his needs and wants, as well as defeat bigger and stronger opponents than he. Through the stories of Odysseus sufferings throughout the Trojan War and his struggles of homecoming, Homer portrays intelligence as being an effective application of strength used to gain an advantage over his opponents. Odysseus is depicted as an intellectualRead MoreOdysseus As An Epic Journey In The Odyssey By Homers Odyssey900 Words   |  4 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚   Influenced by the title of The Odyssey by Homer, an Odyssey is defined as an epic journey. The Odyssey, by Homer and translated by Robert Fagles, explores the epic journey of the title character Odysseus on his voyage home from the Trojan War. However, the first four books of The Odyssey focus on Odysseuss son, Telemachus, and his journey to become â€Å"the true son of Odysseus† (2.2). This role requires Telemachus to emulate the qualities that Odysseus held while the king of Ithaca prior to theRead MoreEssay about Comparing Homers Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh816 Words   |  4 PagesComparing Homers Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both The Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh are two incredible stories written long ago. These two epics share many of the same concepts. Such as the nostro (the Greek term for homecoming), xenis (guest/host relationship), oikos (household), and aganoriss (recognition). In both epics these themes are illustrated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In The Odyssey the theme of nostro is very prevalent in this epic. Basically the whole story is based around this conceptRead MoreThe Impacts Of The Odyssey In Homers The Odyssey1166 Words   |  5 PagesHomer’s epic poem The Odyssey follows Odysseus on his long journey home. The Epic also includes the stories of Odysseus’ family left behind: the travels of his son, Telemachus, and how plenty, of what we would now call â€Å"home wreckers†, suitors pressured his wife, Penelope, into marrying one of them. The characters are beautifully crafted and the story is truly epic. All the elements presented can bring in any reader from any century, the Cyclops, the Gods, the trickery of Penelope, and the disguisesRead MoreHomer’S Two Tales, The Iliad And The Odyssey, Are Both1749 Words   |  7 PagesHomer’s two tales, the Iliad and the Odyssey, are both incredibly well known and widely taught across the world and at many different leve ls of education. Some call Homer the â€Å"greatest poet to ever live† and although this can be disputed his works truly speak for themselves and have braved the test of time quite well. This paper will cover who/whom Homer is as a person, or persons, and the time period of his writings, the truths versus the dramatizations of the Iliad and Odyssey, how the author’sRead MoreTheme Of Violence In The Odyssey1025 Words   |  5 Pages The Odyssey by Homer is a literary classic that presents many themes about the natures of both man and god. Although the characters of the book display characteristics relatable to those of the people today, one of the most prevalent differences between the two eras and their people is the intense violence that takes place throughout the entirety of the epic. This violence serves several functions in the work as a whole. The violence that is enacted upon the characters of The Odyssey serve as a