The Importance of a Sound Mind and Body in Homer's Odyssey

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The Importance of a Sound Mind and Body in Homer's Odyssey

If one were to only have a very fit and strong body, lacking mental ability,

to the Greeks it would not suffice. If a man were merely smart and intelligent,

without much physical capability, the Greeks would feel that he is not complete.

They believed an individual must have have both, a well developed mind and a fit

body, not only one or the other, to be ideal. This is the Greek concept of a

sound mind and body. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus and Telemachos, had to have

and/or achieve a sound mind and body, to be the successful and outstanding

characters of the epic. The ones who lacked these quality suffered and paid for

it in the end.

In Books one and two, Telemachos acts immaturely and lacks mental

prowess. For this reason he makes his life difficult. Yet, Later on he matures

and gains a sound mind. Telemachos certainly has a sound body. Menelaos says of

how "...it amazes me quite, how this young man(Telemachos) looks exactly like

Odysseus, strong and mighty"{page 47}. Yet, he is criticized by others, for the

reason that he does not have a sound mind. In an attempt to stand his ground, in

front of the council he breaks down into tears. Antinoos says "Telemachos you

are a boaster, and you don't know how to keep your temper!"{page 24}. Telemachos

made an attempt to express his valid point of view, and does so, but fails to

convince the council. He breaks down in tears, showing how immature he really is.

He does not have a sound mind. The council basked in this weakness and was even

more critical of him at that point. Later on, he is told of how "(Tele...

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...the other-hand, the ones that lacked either a

sound mind or body, failed. Odysseus and Telemachos were able to find each other

and win back their home, while the suitors and even Achilles were robbed of

their lives. It is a fact that a sound mind and body were an essential ideal in

the ancient Greek society and The Odyssey.

Works Cited and Consulted

Crane, Gregory , Calypso: Backgrounds and Conventions of the Odyssey, Frankfurt, Athenaeum 1988

Heubeck, Alfred, J.B. Hainsworth, et al. A commentary on Homer's Odyssey. 3 Vols. Oxford PA4167 .H4813 1988

Homer (Translated by Robert Fagles. Preface by Bernard Knox). The Odyssey. New York: Viking Penguin, div. of Penguin Books, Ltd. 1996.

Rengakos, Antonios. Homertext und die Hellenistichen Dichter. Hermes. Einzelschriften, Heft 64. Stuttgart, F. Steiner, 1993.

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