When having an adventure in mind, an individual also has factors that go along with the quest. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey and Kira Salak’s travel memoir, The Cruelest Journey, readers learn that people take on quests for various reasons. Homer’s writing revolves around a protagonist Odysseus, who goes on a 10 year voyage back to his home in Ithaca. Similarly, in Salak’s excerpt, the explorer goes on a 600-mile journey down the Niger River. Both texts provide a purpose for a journey by having a sense of adventure, receiving respect, and proving others wrong.
Having a sense of adventure means having a thirst for knowledge. Kira Salak is preparing to go on her expedition, but a thunderstorm is passing by. The morning after the storm,
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Salak states, “rain or no rain, today is the day for the journey to begin,” (Salak 421). Even though the night before her trip there was a storm, Salak’s adventurous side comes out, and she does not care, she is going to begin either way. Furthermore, Salak shares that back home nothing ever changes, every day is like the one before, and she does not want to live an uninteresting life. Salak being sick explains that, “I want the world to always be offering me the new, the grace of the unfamiliar. Which means…a path that will only lead through my fears,” (427). This explorer is driven to continue her quest down the Niger River because she wants to live the life of the unknown, not how it was back home. However, at the Land of the Cyclops, Odysseus and his twelve best men enter the cave of the Goggle-eyed monster. Odysseus’ men want to take the Cyclopians food and set sail, but Odysseus wants “to see himself and claim the stranger’s gift,” (Homer 104). Though Odysseus could have left, he is being gallant and wants to face the monster. Some are motivated by curiosity to go on an adventure, but some want to be acknowledged for their actions. Respect is something that can be given or received, and seizing respect after an exploration is catalyzed.
When in Phaiacia, Odysseus is made fun of by the athletes for not looking the part of a sportsman. Odysseus gets angry and tells the Phaicians “you have put my back up, and I don’t care what it is−─box, wrestle, run, any one you like except only Laodamas,” (Homer 92). The immense man Odysseus, wants respect from the athletes for he is good at sports and is accused of not being. Likewise, at all parts of Odysseus’ voyages, many people or gods have been telling him what is to happen next. At the Kingdom of the Dead, Theban Teiresias tells Odysseus, “God will make your voyage hard and dangerous; for I do not think the Earthshaker will fail to see you,” (126). Throughout The Odyssey, Poseidon (also known as the Earthshaker), has been making Odysseus’ voyages difficult to handle, and Odysseus just wants him to stop his doings and be mindful of him. On the other hand, in the modern day society, men are the ones who are known to do dangerous things, but not even men can sail 600 miles on a kayak. Before leaving for her odyssey, Salak announces that “no man has ever completed such a trip, though a few have tried. And certainly no woman has done such a thing,” (Salak 422). After Kira Salak finishes her journey, she knows people are going to credit her, and that is her motivation to finish. Odysseus and Salak are galvanized to continue their odysseys for notoriety, but they also …show more content…
seek to justify their actions to others. When on a pilgrimage, people want to prove others wrong to show that they can really do what they say.
Before Salak’s quest, many people doubt her and tell her that she will not be able to go down the Niger River. The people of Old Ségou say that Kira is crazy, and she responds “when a person tells me I can’t do something, I’ll want to do it all the more,” (Salak 422). Kira Salak’s desire to continue her quest, was knowing that when she is done, she can look her egoists in their eyes and tell them that she can, and did. Nevertheless, the Scottish explorer, Mungo Park set out on the same trip as Salak, but died on the river. While carrying her inflatable kayak through the narrow passageways of Old Ségou, Salak mentions, “Park is my benefactor of sorts…of course Park also died on this river,” (422). Even though Mungo Park was not a bad person, Salak wants to prove to everyone that even though this tremendous man cannot, she can. In addition, after Odysseus finishes his expedition, he comes home to a household full of suitors wanting to marry his wife. When Odysseus confronts the suitors he tells them, “Dogs! You thought I would never come back from Troy, so you have been carving up my substance, forcing the women to lie with you, courting my wife,” (Homer 243). Odysseus proves the men wrong and points out their bad behaviors. Validating a journey is very significant because it lets people know what is
done. By having a sense of adventure, receiving respect, and proving others wrong, some are motivated to start or pursue a journey. Both texts show, that people or events that occur can encourage someone’s intrusiveness to embark on an adventure. When receiving respect, an individual wants it from someone who has doubted them, like Poseidon or the society. Being told no or exposing someone’s bad actions, is a motivational factor to continue the voyage, just to prove them wrong. Both Odysseus and Salak have to consider the factors that come with a journey, before embarking on one.
Tens of thousands of stories fit into the hero’s journey archetype created by Christopher Volger. Out of these, a large number of them are stories with remakes that share notable resemblances in their heroes’ journeys. However, none of these quite match those very strong similarities found between Homer’s The Odyssey and Joel Coens’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? These stories share crucial components of the hero’s journey whether it be “crossing the first threshold,” where the main characters of both stories begin their long adventure that transforms them into heroes; “the supreme ordeal,” where the main characters are both deprived of the opportunity to get home sooner; or “return with elixir,” where Odysseus and Ulysses both return to their homes alive the comfort of their wives. In their major plot points, the novel The Odyssey and the motion picture O Brother convey obvious similarities in key elements of their heroes’ journeys such as “crossing the first threshold,” “the supreme ordeal,” and “return with elixir.”
Most works of literature have their characters embarking on a journey or journeys to reach a desired location whether it is mentally or physically. These journeys do not stand alone but contribute to the piece as a whole. The Kite Runner focuses on Amir taking on life in his suffering country to moving to a land granting great opportunity and ultimately returning home to complete a deed that would stabilize him for the remainder of his life. In the epic The Odyssey, Odysseus or Ulysses in the Latin form takes on many challenges on the dangerous sea attempting to return home to Ithaca after being victorious in the Trojan War. Traveling can also reunite characters once again as it did for Amir and Hassan in The Kite Runner or bring together two such as Telemachus and Pisistratus in The Odyssey. “This journey has brought us together still more closely” (Homer 15.59-60). Characters walk through the journeys authors create on pages and typically change for the better or reach an ultimate goal.
In the Hero’s journey, The Odyssey, the main protagonist, Odysseus, changes in a way which helps him gain self-knowledge. Odysseus ' experiences transformed his personality from how he was in the beginning to the end, by leading him through a heroic journey, also known as a quest. The real reason for a quest never involves the stated reason, and this is no different with Odysseus. As the story developed, many of Odysseus’ sides were exposed through the challenges he faced. Out of the countless dangers and obstacles every step back home, him and his crew have only acquired minimal character changes. Even though they are minimal, they are those which take many decades to achieve.
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.
“Our life’s journey of self-discovery is not a straight-line rise from one level of consciousness to another. Instead, it is a series of steep climbs, and flat plateaus, then further climbs. Even though we all approach the journey from different directions, certain of the journey’s characteristics are common for all of us.” Author Stuart Wilde’s impression of journeys and their shared commonalities supports the claim that all journeys have a motive and an outcome. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus sets off to defeat Troy, leaving his wife and child behind. After accomplishing his goal, Odysseus faces many problems while trying to return him and his crew back home to Ithaca. Similar to Odysseus’s physical journey, the goal in
The great epic, Homer's Odyssey, is a tale of an adventure; a journey through the mind body and soul. Odysseus was strong throughout his voyage and was able to conquer his obstacles thanks to the help from the Goddess Athena. Athena provided physical and emotional support for this man, to get him on his way home to Ithaka. She also provided this same support for Odysseus' son, Telemakhos. Without her involvement, "The Odyssey" would not have turned out the way it did; because she plays such a crucial role in the story. It is understood that Odysseus is the primary character in this epic; concerning his fears and eventually returning to his home, Ithaka. The only reason this was possible is because he had the help of the clever and intelligent Goddess, Athena.
Odysseus faced many challenges and monsters along the way but one of the biggest challenges was when he returned home to his wife Penelope. She was testing Odysseus because he did not believe it was home that really came back. Penelope challenged Odysseus with a bow and arrow . But she said that there was a “ … have sawn that trunk and dragged the frame away” ( Homer 615 ). This is important because of the fact that in The Odyssey the whole story is based on the fact that. Odysseus is coming back home but since his wife does not believe it is him it has to prove to his wife that he came back .
The Odyssey is a tale that has changed literature and storytelling. In this tale Odysseus is a Soldier from the battle of Troy trying to get home to his island of Ithaca, where he is king. His wife and son must wait ten years while he is trying to make his way home. In Odysseus’s absence wooer’s, or better known as suitors, learn of his absence and travel to Ithaca to win his wife’s hand in marriage. These men come every day feasting on Odysseus’s food and wine, and give his servant’s orders. His son Telemachus, does his best to keep the suitors from ruining his fathers house but he is only a boy, and doesn’t receive the respect of an adult. Telemachus then has a visit from the god Athena, whom Odysseus is friends with, who advises him to travel to find out about his father. In his travels he hears that Odysseus may still be alive. Meanwhile Odysseus goes through a series of adventures and hardships that prove his wisdom. It is interesting in contrast of the Iliad, even though Achilles was much stronger and a better warrior, Odysseus was portrayed as a greater hero due to his wisdom. He uses this wisdom to escape from the Cyclops.
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.
The epic poem called The Odyssey, which was written by the poet Homer, is one of the many classical stories from Ancient Greek culture. It tells the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his journey back home from the war with Troy, which had occurred in Homer’s other epic Greek poem, The Illiad. Odysseus faces many trials and quests in his journey home and to take back his kingdom from the suitors, such as meeting the witch Circe, blinding a Cyclops named Polyphemus, dealing with Poseidon, and staying with the goddess Calypso. The poem has many themes that are relevant to it. One such theme is the factor of redemption. Redemption is usually a typical subject in any kind of religion, like the Greek religion and Christian religion. The story of Odysseus has an underlying message of him receiving redemption from the Greek gods. The Odyssey is a tale of redemption because it deals with Odysseus being forgiven by the gods after having to go through many trials and wrongs to rightfully claim back his wife and the throne of Ithaca.
Both the Odyssey and the Aeneid represent their cultures very well, but they express different ideas on what one should strive for in life. There are also different forces that pushed both epics to be written. The Aeneid expresses the Roman idea of pietas which means to show extreme respect for one’s ancestors. We see this in Aeneas when he is pictured caring his father away from burning Troy. He has pietas because he cared so much for his father that in fleeing from Troy he took up his father over his shoulder to save his from certain death. This is not the only major idea in the Aeneid. There is also a very political focus. The Roman were very interested in politics which comes through in the Aeneid. The Odyssey has the Greek idea of arete trapped somewhere among the many themes. Arete is a strive for perfection in both mind and body. It is a much more personal and individual idea than the Roman pietas. In the most basic seance the Aeneid and the Romans have a much more political focus and duty to the state ( republic ) than the Greeks who honor tradition , family , and arete.
There has been much debate on who is the greatest hero of the ancient world. There has also been much dispute on which is the greatest epic poem of the ancient world. However, comparing The Aeneid to The Odyssey is entirely a difficult task itself. Odysseus' journeys, both physical and emotional, are essential in the overall work because it defines The Odyssey as an epic poem. Aeneas also shares a similar experience as Odysseus as well. Both stories are similar in countless ways because they both undergo comparable experiences on their travels and their life journeys. With that being said, they both demonstrated leadership in their own way. However, it is difficult to determine who the best leader actually is. Both men exhibit great leadership skills; therefore, causing a challenge for some in determining which the greater epic is. After analyzing both texts, it is possible to conclude that Aeneas is the better leader, but The Odyssey is the greater epic.
Our entire life is an ongoing journey, but we are not on our own. We have family and friends with us guiding us no matter how far the destination or no matter how difficult the situation, we are never alone. This situation is the same for everyone, even those who live in the pages of a book, such as Homer’s epic tale, The Odyssey, and from John Kuol’s story, “Escaping Death”. The Odyssey and “Escaping Death” are similar, but yet different because of the time period, perspectives, and lifestyles of their characters. For example, “Escaping Death” has a more realistic occasion where Kuol struggles for survival to be reunited with his family while The Odyssey is more historical with Odysseus confronting greek mythological creatures. Both
The challenges that Homer give the protagonist is all a test of character. Odysseus continues to pass the obstacles with flying colors, but his arrogance is the one flaw that is in dire need of correction. Some of the many challenges Odysseus overcomes on his voyage home is defeating the Cicones, surviving the Island of the Lotus Eaters, outsmarting the Giant Cyclops, saving his men from Circe, Traveling to Hades, passing between Scylla and Charybdis, escaping Calypsos’ Island and many more. Odysseus survives these obstacles and uses his smarts to escape near disaster. Often times he was the only one to survive these things and his crew often lost their lives due to their own stupidity. “‘We left the island and resumed our journey in a state of gloom; and the heart was taken out of my men by the wearisome rowing. But was our own stupidity that had deprived us of the wind.’”(P127 L75-79) Odysseus shows how he is an extraordinary man by being much smarter than his crew and the men that follow him. As a part of this stripping of Odysseus, Homer shows that Odysseus is a collective symbol of Everyman. On the one hand Odysseus is a great warrior, who is extremely intelligent, noble, and a great man. Although he has many god- like qualities he is still human. He shows that he is human and like every man, because of the fact that he still has major flaws. The
In the book the Iliad, The Odyssey, and Works and days, there are many things that can be similar when talking about Greek heroes and the world of Greek poetry. The stories and topics are describing similar events during this time of the eighth and seventh century B.C. In the end, however, they do have some differences in some parts when describing or explaining certain situations and ideas. The world of Greek heroes is written like a story; or Epic Poetry. That is what The Iliad and The Odyssey are; Epic Poetries. They are telling a story of a great hero and their adventures. On the other hand, the more realistic Greek World that is being described in Works and days is a Didactic poem, which tells more of a moral or message to the reader.