Odysseus Vices

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A lot can be learned from both the character Odysseus and Achilles. These characters would both face extreme challenges and the virtues and vices that classify these characters, ultimately decide their fate. The lesson of living one way versus another can be seen, and shows the world that wisdom can be more beneficial than living a life based around hubris. It is important to closely examine the virtues and vices these characters displayed and in return see how those virtues and vices shaped their fate. Odysseus from the beginning of his story displays a lot of great virtues and continues to display them through the story. Beginning with wisdom, Odysseus is labeled with the term “wise hero” because of the way he used his mind. He always thinks …show more content…

In book nine, the cyclops account Odysseus taunts polyphemus and lets his ego get the best of him when he finally escapes. This shows that even the wisest individuals can fall victim to the vices.
As for Achilles his vices stand out more than his virtues, at least in the beginning of his story. Achilles is filled with a lot of rage and that causes him to act unjustly. He is very hubristic an lacks self control, and believes his arete is to kill and bring pain to others. For the majority of the story we don’t see any virtues displayed but towards the end we can see more.
We see him display self control when Briseis is brought to his tent as a sexual reward from King Agamemnon and he doesn’t do anything to her, but instead somewhat respects her. He practices piety when he turns over Hector's body to receive proper burial. Several other characters exhibit piety in this film and we can see that characters like Briseis and Priam highly respect the gods. Achilles exhibits courage when he tries to save Briseis at the end of the film, and is willing to sacrifice everything to save her. And justice can be seen as served at the end of the movie when both Achilles and King Agamemnon are killed. Although Achilles changed and regretted a lot of the things he did, he murdered a lot of people and Paris sees killing him as justice

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