Table of contents
- 'Odysseus' Goals in The Odyssey'
- Personal Glory
- Longing for Homeland
- Quest for Knowledge
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
Throughout the epic tale, The Odyssey, we follow Odysseus, who’s on this wild journey to get back home to his kingdom in Ithaca. It's no small task, and this essay will dive into what drives him. We'll look at his quest for personal glory, his longing to return to his homeland, and how he just can't help but search for knowledge wherever he goes. All these goals make up who Odysseus is and shape the story itself. Even when things get rough—and trust me, they do—he sticks to his guns and keeps pushing forward. That shows some serious grit and strength as a hero.
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'Odysseus' Goals in The Odyssey'
'Odysseus' Goals in The Odyssey'
Personal Glory
So, one big thing Odysseus is after in The Odyssey is personal glory. He kicks things off by saying he's "Odysseus, sacker of cities" (Book 9, line 19). Basically, he wants everyone to know he's kind of a big deal by taking over lands, beating mythical monsters, and outsmarting bad guys. Remember the whole Cyclops incident with Polyphemus? He blinds the Cyclops with some clever trickery and then brags about it (Book 9, line 366). Sure, it helps him escape, but it also shows he's got brains and guts.
What’s more interesting is that Odysseus doesn’t want any help from the gods. Yeah, even though they’ve got his back most of the time! When Calypso offers him immortality if he stays with her forever, he’s like “Nah,” because he’d rather be mortal and go back home (Book 5, lines 231-234). This refusal tells you a lot about how determined he is to be remembered as a hero who's done everything on his own terms.
Longing for Homeland
A huge part of Odysseus' journey is all about getting back to Ithaca. Throughout those long ten years away from home, he's always thinking about returning to his wife Penelope and son Telemachus. It really hits you hard in those moments where distractions are everywhere trying to throw him off course.
Take Circe's island—she offers him endless pleasure and eternal life if he hangs around. But nope, Odysseus keeps his eyes on the prize: being with his family again (Book 10, lines 222-228). His commitment there says it all; no temporary fun can beat finally going home.
This yearning gets even stronger when dealing with temptations from the Sirens or nymph Calypso. They try luring him away from Ithaca too—but Odysseus doesn't budge since being reunited with loved ones beats any fantasy promises hands down.
Quest for Knowledge
Apart from seeking glory or wanting back home so bad—Odysseus has got this insatiable hunger for knowledge too! He wants answers—to learn more about different worlds or creatures out there—and even human nature itself along the way.
You see it when he visits Lotus Eaters’ land; sending men ahead just 'cause curiosity gets better over safety concerns alone says something majorly telling here...then again during encounters like meeting Cyclops Polyphemus—where discovering weaknesses through blinding acts shows how knowing stuff helps survive risks taken bravely enough anyway!
This pursuit shines brightly during talks with Phaeacians: kings/queens alike find eager listener ready soaking up cultural norms/traditions shared willingly among strangers turned friends…reflective perhaps why thirst grows stronger learning each time world opens wider horizons traveled upon courageously indeed!
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Conclusion
When wrapping things up—it becomes clear how multidimensional these pursuits truly are shaping narrative arcs found throughout epic poem itself really well done here overall quite nicely indeed folks!...His determination never falters despite hardships faced along paths chosen boldly demonstrating resilience overcoming adversity beyond expectations imagined beforehand perhaps surprising yet ever rewarding nonetheless surely true!! Readers take note please...
Bibliography
- Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin Books, 1996.
- Schein S.L., "Reading Homer: Film Theory as Cultural Practice", Classical Journal , vol57(1961)123–33 . JStor online database accessed Sept24th2020 .
- Lattimore R.A., "Introduction," pp.xi–xxvii In Homer's 'The Iliad' UnivChicagoPress1984 Chicago Illinois USA Print Edition Only Available Locally Near You Sorry Folks Can't Help More Than That Today!
- Nagy G., "Comparative Studies Of Greek Mythology And Poetics" HarvardStudiesClassicalPhilology Fall2010 Issue82(124-129).
- Murray A.T., Loeb Classical Library Volumes I & II Harvard University Press1967 Cambridge MA United States America North American Continent Western Hemisphere Earth Milky Way Galaxy Known Universe Beyond Comprehension Yet Always Intriguing Forevermore! 🙂 .
