Essays on Odysseus

Odysseus exemplifies adventure, courage, and the values of the Greeks, is Odysseus a hero? This essay proves that an epic hero is not only a personification of that culture but also the best version of that culture. The Odyssey is a narrative poem that was...

In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus faces a great deal of hardship as he tries to get home to Ithaca and his family. His desire to get back to his homeland gives him the ability to overcome the many obstacles thrown at him throughout his...

The Odyssey presents its readers with many moments of grief – Penelope grieves over the possible loss of her husband, Telemachus is riddled with the grief the suitors give him by trying to take over his missing father’s estate. Perhaps the most striking example of...

Trickery is common in Greek mythology. Especially among Gods and Goddesses. They use their power of trickery to trick and deceive humans, to fulfill their wishes. An important figure in Greek mythology is Metis. She is the Goddess of wisdom and intelligence. Interestingly enough, Odysseus...

The nature of a civilized society or person, rather than an uncivilized one, depends on perspective. Mores that one culture holds dear potentially offend others. Wise travelers remain aware of location before flashing a casual thumbs up or blowing their noses in public–although commonplace in...

Homer, the author of The Odyssey, created a hero with negative attributes named Odysseus in his epic poem. The epic hero, Odysseus, is trying to get back home after being away for 17 years. During his expedition, the poem portrays Odysseus’s traits, whether they’re flaws...

Arguably one of the most famous poems centered around a homecoming, Homer’s The Odyssey tells the story of literature’s most famous veteran, Odysseus, and his journey home. After ten years of fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus’s priority (and the entire plot of the book)...

In the vast universe of Greek mythology, perhaps one of the best-known and revered works is the epic poem The Odyssey, attributed Homer. This legendary work examines many aspects of human nature, notably the distinction between moral and political behavior. The main character in the...

What does it mean to be a hero? There are several definitions for the word, and there are many examples of heroes in history and everyone’s daily lives. However, The Odyssey also exhibits some acts of heroism. Such as the protagonist, Odysseus. Odysseus is a...

Erich Auerbach describes a model for a hero from the Hebrew bible that he believes is nearly all inclusive. Joseph and the story of his journey through slavery and imprisonment up to royalty exemplifies the journey from the deepest humiliation to exaltation, aided by God’s...

Odysseus is considered of the greatest of the Greek heroes who fought during the Trojan War known for his cunning intellect, Odysseus designed the plan that sacked the city of Troy and brought Greek’s victory in the Trojan War. The story of Odysseus begins in...

The Odyssey, by Homer, tells the tale of warrior-king Odysseus and his misadventures and accomplishments along his journey. With strength of character, a quick wit about him, and the gods on his side, Odysseus suffers through enumerable trials in order to see his wife, Penelope,...

Being a leader is a very honorable and important status. In order to serve as a good leader one must have certain qualities about their personality and abilities. Leaders must fall above their followers in certain ways, like levels of knowledge and readiness for whatever...

In the first chapter of his novel, How to Read Literature like a Professor, Thomas C. Foster discusses the idea of a quest narrative. “They [protagonists] go because of the stated task, mistakenly believing that it is their real mission. We know, however, that their...

Death is commonly reflected in Greek mythology. Many epics, myths, and short stories include death in their plot or theme. For instance, the short story of Pyramus and Thisbe conveys the idea that when one dies, it does not mean the other should too. However,...

Introduction After the events of the Trojan War, Odysseus and his men headed back home to Ithaca. En route, they unknowingly stopped at the island of the Cyclopes to gather supplies for their long journey home. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of the island were not very...

The Odyssey is a story about Odysseus’ return home, and the struggles he faces. Odysseus is a king who is deeply respected for his combat triumphs and heroism in the trojan war. He is missing for 10 years and his wife Penelope longs for his...

“Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story Of that man skilled in all ways of contending, The wanderer, harried for years on end, After he plundered the stronghold On the proud height of Troy. He saw the townlands And learned the minds...

The expectations a hero must meet are ever-changing. Historically, a hero was a strong man, one who acted as a protector and warrior on the battlefield capable of fantastic feats. Today, many associate the word with popular fictional characters possessing supernatural abilities and acting as...

Alysandra Bui Hist 010 Professor Chrissanthos TA: David Shanta July 18th 2018 The Gods of Ancient Greek Lives Starting from the Dark Ages through the Archaic period of ancient Greece, various aspects of Greek life had changed with the addition of a writing system and...

What is a hero? Is it someone who acts as a fool, at times, or is it someone who is courageous and intelligent? In Homer’s The Odyssey, the epic hero Odysseus faces several impediments during his 20 year journey from home. He first had to...

The characters in Homer’s The Odyssey are forever at the mercy of the Gods, those immortals who live in the heights of Mount Olympus, and who, on occasion, walk the lands of earth. Throughout the epic poem the main characters are visited quite often at...

Some mythologists may argue that Achilles and Odysseus are not heroes, although they were depicted as such in their prospective stories. These two characters are very much alike. They both exhibit strong heroic qualities, although in different manners they are both heroes. Some heroic traits...

In book 6, in the evening, Nausicaa, the Phaeacian princess is visited by Athena in a dream and obliges her to clean her dress. Once Nausiacaa wakes up, she takes her maids and a mule-pushcart, and the maids clean her attire in the ponds by...

Being an epic hero isn’t always about putting others before you. It takes great responsibility and patience to prove you’re worthy of such a prestigious title. In Homer’s epic poetry The Odyssey, Odysseus, king of Ithaca, is attempting to return home after battling for ten...

One of the most valued skills one can possess is the art of storytelling. Man can express himself through means of song, art, dance, and poetry—but he must have a story to express himself. After the Trojan War ended, Odysseus journeys home facing various obstacles...

As a species, humans have specialized in not only exaggerating the remnants of our survival instincts, but also incorporating intangible concepts into our daily lives. From calculus to gravitational time, people have been steadily implementing new discoveries in hopes of improving the human timeline. Despite...

Homeric epic heroes have long been considered superior to normal human beings. Throughout a variety of epic poems, the traits of a hero are clear: strength, courage, and intelligence. The Oxford Dictionary defines a hero as “a person who is admired or idealized for courage,...

The portrayal of women in classical Greek literature is varied but points towards underlying attitudes regarding their status. Within The Odyssey there are countless representations of women with different motives and personalities, but these female characters are always subverted by men. Perhaps the most vivid...

Thought history humanity has always traveled. From prehistoric nomads to modern day migrants and vacationers, there have always been various types of travelers who travel for different reasons. Through looking at ancient texts and observing the world today, it is evident that travelers of all...