Homer’s The Odyssey teaches readers values of Ancient Greek culture that still exists in our modern age. Universal themes transcend time for we learn lessons from history and apply it to our own lives. One of the lessons that I choose to apply in my life is the simplicity of following directions because we often ignore the guidance and instructions of others who are more knowledgeable than us. In The Odyssey, Homer asserts the importance of following directions through demonstrations of imagery, symbolism, and catharsis.
The narrator’s use of imagery when Odysseus’s crew opens the bag of wind and “all the winds burst out… and swept us back to sea”(X.52-53) demonstrates the negative consequences of not following directions. Odysseus tells
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Odysseus requires his men to “swear me a binding oath… not one man among us - … will slaughter an ox or ram”(XII.323-326) emphasizing how imperative it is that they listen to his instructions. The “binding oath” symbolizes the fates of Odysseus and his men figuratively and literally from prophecy. When Odysseus’s crew out of Eurylochus’s persuasion, hunger and self-control break the “oath”, they destroy the fate of them surviving and making it back home. Odysseus’s crew “slaughtered and skinned the cattle”(XII.386) foreshadowing their own deaths. The symbolism of the “cattle” is the instructions they are to follow and when they “slaughtered” the “cattle”, they killed themselves. Only Odysseus survives because he was the only one to not touch the cattle but since he couldn’t keep his crew from killing the cattle, he still faces repercussions. In comparison, today’s laws instruct us to not text and talk on the cellphone but we still do it and it leads to accidents and repercussions for all parties involved. This lesson taught me that not obeying simple instructions could lead to potentially disastrous consequences that should have been …show more content…
Odysseus prior to his transformation would have been stubborn and persistent in doing things his way or what would seem best to him. Once he “obeyed” it can be interpreted that he understands the importance of following directions and acknowledges that doing as he is told when necessary is best. The result of his decision allows Athena to set forth “her pacts of peace between both sides”(XXIV.599-600) demonstrating the positive outcome of listening to instructions. Odysseus’s catharsis allows him to see the bigger picture and make the better decision of following instructions and avoiding needless bloodshed while still reclaiming his kingdom. I am able to apply this to my own life in that by following instructions as advised from those more knowledgeable, brings me a positive payoff rather than facing negative
Every day people make decisions. Some are more important than others, but all decisions have consequences, no matter how small. The decisions that you make, and the decisions others make could affect your life. They may have positive effects, but they may also have negatives effects like in The Odyssey by Homer. In general, Odysseus and his men made some decisions that lead to some very negative effects.
At some point in their life, many people experience feelings of inadequacy or uncertainty. In “The Odyssey” by Homer, one of the main characters Telemachus experiences both of these feelings. He feels that he is not good enough, especially compared to his father, Odysseus, who many people refer to as a great leader. In the beginning of “The Odyssey”, Telemachus’ home has been taken over by suitors, each with the goal of winning over his mother, in hopes to marry her and become king. Telemachus is not fond of these men in his home, but does not have the confidence to get rid of them. Lastly, at this point in the story, Odysseus, Telemachus’ father, has been gone for approximately twenty years, most of Telemachus’ life. Telemachus has been
In part one of The Odyssey, the last few stories it states, “Odysseus makes them swear not to touch the god’s cattle,” (p 684). This is one of the many secrets he keeps from his men. He doesn’t tell them why they can’t touch the cattle and he is not completely truthful with them. Another secret he keeps from his men is when he doesn’t tell them about Scylla, Odysseus says, “but as I sent them on towards Scylla, I told them nothing, as they could do nothing…” (790-791).
Author Ursula K. LeGuin once said, “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.” The Odyssey is an epic poem told by Homer that is about a hero named Odysseus who faces many challenges on his journey home from the Trojan War. Even though Odysseus is a smart and strategic man, he still has many lessons to learn on his journey.
Homer’s The Odyssey, a magnificent story of lust, deceit, greed, and heroism, still fascinates scholars and casual readers alike today in the same way it fascinated its audience at the time it was written. The Odyssey, a journey of determination, patience, and virtue, tells the tail of Odysseus, the main character, on his voyage home to Ithaka after the end of the Trojan War. Odysseus goes through many unforeseen trials and tribulations, which exemplify his character. During these different happenings, Odysseus makes decisions that do not correspond to his character.
In the epic poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus’ heroic deeds are recounted through a narrative, written by Homer, that describes his arduous journey of his return from the Trojan war to his homeland of Ithaca. Loyalty, patience, and determination, are necessary traits to survive the perilous, painstaking journey that Odysseus embarks upon to return to his native land. Loyalty is exhibited when Odysseus goes to rescue his crewmen on Kirke’s Island despite the probability of jeopardizing his own life. Odysseus presents patience throughout the entirety of his journey, but most specifically when his crew opens the bag of wind, which causes much regression on the embark homeward. Determination is displayed when Odysseus is on Calypso’s island.
The Odyssey is filled with emotion and adventure. Homer’s ability to show and give the reader a visual of each and every scene gives the story its unbelievable significance. To all the people who read his work there is something to be captured within every sentence, each one different in its own, unique way. Through tales of courage and defeat, friendship and love this book tells of all the values within the life of a single, solitary man, and his journey to attain what is true and dear to him. And this journey is known to all of us as The Odyssey. The Odyssey is a test of human devotion and trust through the gods, the mortals, and the obstacles through which they venture. No matter where they go or what they do, humans are tested for certain characteristics everyday of their lives, whether they realize it or not; and The Odyssey is just one of those many miraculous tests.
“There is no safety in unlimited hubris” (McGeorge Bundy). The dictionary defines hubris as overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance. In The Odyssey, Homer embodies hubris into the characters Odysseus, the Suitors, and the Cyclopes. Odysseus shows hubris when he is battling the Cyclopes, the Cyclopes show hubris when dealing with Odysseus, and the Suitors show it when Odysseus confronts them at his home.
Through characters and situations, The Odyssey promotes and emphasizes many important ancient Greek values such as hospitality, pride, and fate. Stressed greatly in ancient Greek culture, hospitality is evident throughout Homer’s writing, which reflects and expresses many different value systems within it. For example, when in the cave of the Cyclops, Polyphemus, Odysseus confronts him by saying, “we therefore humbly pray to show us some hospitality and otherwise make us such presents as visitors may reasonably expect” (92). To the Greeks, hospitality was very important, to the point that it was an expectation and not just a quality, as it is in today’s culture. If you feared Zeus and the gods, you were to show hospitality.
In there travels, Odysseus and his men land on the island of Aeolia. Here Odysseus is given a gift from the wind god Aeolus. Aeolus gathers all the stormy and evil winds and places them into a bag for Odysseus voyage. Odysseus heads back to the boat and gives specific instructions to his men not to open the bag, but he doesn't tell them what is in it. His men are curious go against their kings order. "But during the voyage, the suspicious and curious sailor's open the bag, thinking it contains treasure, and the evil winds roar up into hurricanes that threaten the luckless Odysseus again."(Page 911). If his men used self discipline they would not have been delayed even more and arrive at Ithaca earlier.
Mark Twain once said, “All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.” This quote illustrates the idea that the hero’s achievements and journeys are largely based on their personal confidence level. The main character Odysseus from the epic poem The Odyssey, David Dunn from the movie Unbreakable, and Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games are all heroes that showed different confidence levels, which greatly influenced their achievements and journeys. Through the analysis of Odysseus, Katniss, and David, it becomes evident that a hero's path and ultimately the final outcome can be greatly affected by the strength of their confidence; having just the right amount of confidence is paramount when traveling
Homer. “The Odyssey”. The Norton Anthology of World Literature. Ed. Martin Puncher. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2012. 475. Print.
...ry for him to learn the virtue of temperance. If he is not able to moderate his impulses towards revenge, feasting, and lovely goddesses, then he shall always be doomed to roam upon the wine dark seas. Obviously he does learn this, since he does return to Ithaka without being smitten down by the gods, but he returns a different Odysseus. The new Odysseus realizes that there is more to living than a feast of roast meats and wine each night before the flawless bed of love of a lovely goddess. The new Odysseus wipes a salt tear from his cheek at the sight of an old hound that lays neglected (17.394).
On our journeys we all must resist, or give into, temptations that may hinder our ascent to our goal. All people give into temptation at least once in their lives. One time that Odysseus gave into temptation was when he listened to the Sirens’ songs. We don’t always collapse into temptation, like when Odysseus wanted so badly to kill the suitors but forced himself to wait for the right time. Another time Odysseus defied temptation was when he refused to reveal himself to the people but ceased expose himself until he felt it was the right time. Temptation is not the only thing to obstruct our expedition.
Many diverse cultures are found in every corner of the world. Every culture is defined by its traditions and values. The film “The Odyssey,” depicts the culture of the ancient Greeks where it illustrates the life of a man, Odysseus, who has gone on a journey just to get back to his kingdom. Many values and traditions could be identified through the path of the journey. Some elements that are found important to the Greeks are the music, the religion, and the duty to the kingdom.