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Lessons in the Odyssey
Literary analysis of the Odyssey
Symbolism in the odyssey
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Archetypes are pivotal in the structure of any story. Without archetypes, individuality is not expressed. The story will fail to have a characteristical context if not knowing the individual classification of personality for each character. It is as if reading an open book with blank pages. Using The Oddessy, by Homer. Translated by Robert Fitzgerald and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho I will prove that without archetypes, stories will be bland and difficult to finish. There will be a shortfall of captivation, engagement of the readers, interest in the plot, and unknowing of what will happen next. First of all, in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho; An old man who displays the qualities of the archetype known as The Wizard is The Alchemist. The Wizard archetype usually presents characteristics like wisdom, sound judgment, and mythical magic powers. All of these are attributes of personality traits the Alchemist In The Odyssey, a character that is equipped with the characteristics of The Sage is the god, Athena. Athena is not only wise, but she possesses clarity of thought and assists Odysseus on his journey to return to Ithaca. She accommodated Odysseus’s son, Telemachus, with advice throughout the story. “‘Not the least shyness, now, Telemachus… Go to old Nestor, master charioteer as we may broach the storehouse of his mind”(35). She remained supportive of Odysseus’s choices and advocated for Odysseus to the king of gods, Zeus. “O Father Zeus and gods in bliss forever… for those Odysseus ruled cannot remember the fatherhood and mercy of his reign. Meanwhile, he lives and grieves upon that island in thralldom to the nymph… And now murder is hatched on the high sea against his son…”(81). Athena is also known as “The Grey-Eyed Goddess” because of her maturity and intelligence. Her assistance and guidance for Odysseus allowed him to return to his family. Without her, Odysseus most likely would not have made it back to
Everyone can relate to an archetype character in a movie, book, or television show. An archetype in literature is a typical character with an action or a situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature. Common archetypes of characters are: a hero, caregiver, rebel, damsel in distressed, lover, villain, or tragic hero. In the play, The Crucible, there are several kinds of characters with archetypes. Tragic hero normally are in tragic plays which also can be called tragedy. “Tragedy is a drama in which a character that is usually a good and noble person of high rank which is brought to a disastrous end in his or her confrontation with a superior force but also comes to understand the meaning of his or her deeds and to
An archetype in literature is defined as a typical example of a certain type of person. A character in a poem or play can be placed into many different archetype categories. Archetypes help a reader to gain a better understanding of who a character in the work is on the inside. This deeper insight into the character allows the reader to follow the flow of the story easier and more effectively. There are many different archetypes that can help to advance the story. One of the most useful in advancing this story is the typical powerful character. Whether it be supernatural or cunningness this character always comes out on top in the situation and holds the most control over others and their actions. “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?”,
...lts of the insolent suitors in his own home. The anger of Odysseus is only matched by Telemachus whose restraint is forcefully elevated in order to hamper his new mature instinct of defending his father. Meanwhile, Odysseus is forced to couple this with control over holding his love, Penelope, in his arms. Yet, both characters are able to avoid the impediments and at last battle side by side against their foes.
There are several different types of archetypes: situational, plot, character, symbolic, and setting. These archetypes are implemented because they hold meaning to society and “provide the deep structure for human motivation and meaning. When we encounter them in art, literature, sacred texts, advertising—or in individuals or groups—they evoke deep feeling within us.” If the audience or reader cannot relate to a certain archetypal symbol or pattern then they would be lacking some deeper meaning behind the sym...
Archetypes refer to the persistently recurring symbols or motifs in literature. The term itself has its origins in ancient Greek and continues to play a prominent role in analyzing literature. Archetypal images and story patterns encourage readers to participate ritualistically in basic beliefs, fears, and anxieties of their age. These archetypal features not only constitute the eloquence of the text but also tap into a level of desires and concerns of civilization. The Anglo-Saxon poem, Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, integrates many of the common archetypes that still exist today. The outcast archetype is one that particularly expressed the desires, anxieties and values of the people who lived during the Beowulf era. Grendel, a character of monstrous appearance and hazily human emotion, is portrayed as the principal outsider in Beowulf. The incorporation of a banished character against his fellow society effectively expressed the anxiety and fears that the Anglo-Saxon culture felt towards seclusion and abnormality, caused by a societal absorption in family lineage and traditionalism.
In the time period of The Odyssey, the people of Greece worshipped the gods for advice and guidance. The gods then decided if they were going to help or ignore their people. This is seen in The Odyssey where Athena decides that she will help save Odysseus. To help save Odysseus, she first decides to talk to his son, Telemachus. Athena, the goddess of wisdom, gives advice to Telemachus. As of this point on, the reader observes a change in Telemachus. From a shy and timid boy now becomes a confident and self-assured man. Telemachus then takes immediate actions and surprises everyone, even his own mother because of his superiority. However Telemachus wouldn't have been responsible for his actions if one individual didn't give advice to him, Athena. Therefore Athena, or the gods in general were responsible for Telemachus' actions by setting up a crew for him to travel and also telling Telemachus to drive away the suitors and to seek information about Odysseus.
Hull, Jim. "Archetypes and the Hero's Journey." Narrativefirst. N.p., 26 Nov. 2009. Web. 20 Dec. 2013.
Her tactics finally pay off at the end of the epic, when Odysseus returns from his voyage and she once again proves her intelligence by hosting the archery contest to prove Odysseus is home. The character that arguably plays the largest role in The Odyssey is Athena, daughter of Zeus. According to Mark Cartwright, Athena is,” Goddess of wisdom, war and the crafts, and favorite daughter of Zeus, Athena was, perhaps, the wisest, most courageous, and certainly the most resourceful of the Olympian gods” (www.ancient.eu). When hearing of her son’s departure, Penelope becomes extremely distraught.
Athena, the goddess of wisdom, is Odysseus’ protector throughout his journey to return to Ithaca. Athena’s first task in aiding Odysseus is requesting that Zeus, her father, send Hermes to Ogygia, Calypso’s island, to request that she allow Odysseus to journey home. Athena again comes to Odysseus’ assistance when he meets the princess Nausicaa. She enhances his appearance so that Odysseus will win the princess’s favor, and thus, return home. When Odysseus is walking into Phaiacia, Athena clouds him in a mist so that n...
For the duration of the Odyssey, Odysseus is faced with challenges and also receives help from the supernatural. If it were not for the help from Athena, Odysseus would not have returned to being the wife of Penelope. On page 1022, lines 1009-1015, Athena speaks to Odysseus saying, "Odysseus, master of landways and seaways,/dissemble to your son no longer now./The time has come:/tell
Odysseus is looked at as a mighty hero, but the backbone of his bravery and wits comes from Athena. Throughout Odysseus’s journeys, he encounters many riches, good fortunes, and women. These good fortunes were results of Athena interfering with Odysseus’s life. Homer creates a magnificent strong hero, but without the help of other characters Odysseus wouldn’t be where he is at now. Athena is the true reason that Odysseus succeeds, because she is protective, powerful, and smart, as her actions prove.
Athena is a great mentor to the characters in this story because she helps them through their trials and tribulations in this story. Athena helps Telemachus find his father so she is disguised as a mentor to help him through his journey. When Odysseus is about to
Athena, the goddess of Wisdom helps Odysseus throughout the war even though she was told to not be by Zeus. Athena is his guide throughout
An archetype is a character, action, or situation that represents typical patterns of human nature and is often known as a universal symbol, or the hero, of the story. The hero’s journey in literature describes the common adventure of the archetype, who goes to achieve great things or save the day for their group or civilization.
Coelho embeds thematic depth throughout The Alchemist as the story of Santiago progresses. The author recounts a story of a wise man and a boy. This tale may seem to be irrelevant to the story of Santiago, but it portrays profound meaning to the life of the main character.