Essay On Phileas Fogg As A Archetype

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Can fictional characters, like Phileas Fogg (Around the World in 80 Days/Verne) and Odysseus (The Odyssey/Homer), have any relation to real life? Although the idea of it might seem impossible it is, in fact, true. Phileas Fogg traveled around the world in 80 days with the flaw of being incapable of love. Odysseus, taking 10 years to return home from fighting in the Trojan War, has a flaw of being prideful. Their travels can be best documented through the hero cycle. Hero cycles can be best used when referring to archetypes. Archetypes are typical examples of a certain person or thing. Phileas Fogg and Odysseus are hero archetypes. The hero is the main character and protagonist in a book. Heroes are related to real life through their personalities …show more content…

There is no perfect hero. The book starts out with the idea that Phileas Fogg is the “perfect man”. He is exquisite about his manners, very wealthy, and is intelligent. “Was Phileas Fogg rich? Undoubtedly. But those who knew him best could not imagine how he had made his fortune, and Mr. Fogg was the last person to whom to apply for the information. He was not lavish, nor, on the contrary, avaricious; for, whenever he knew that money was needed for a noble, useful, or benevolent purpose, he supplied it quietly and sometimes anonymously.” (Around the World in 80 Days) Phileas Fogg has one main flaw, being incapable of love. Verne shows growth through Fogg’s character while the book continues. This allows us to later see that Phileas Fogg overcame his flaw. While Phileas Fogg was in India he was able to save Aouda from almost getting murdered. Phileas Fogg allows Aouda to join the journey. Overtime, Aouda gets feelings for Phileas Fogg but loses hope. Fogg does eventually confess his love for her in London. By this point Phileas Fogg doesn’t really seem to care if he has traveled around the world in 80 days or not. He would much rather be with Aouda. “But if I had not gone through India, I should not have saved Aouda, she would not have been my wife…” (Around the World in 80 Days) In life, there will be times where we have a flaw that might seem almost impossible to overcome. Whether this is trying to reach your desired weight, finishing a project in …show more content…

Would you feast on my companions? Puny, am I, in a Caveman’s hands? How do you like the beating that we gave you, you damned cannibal? Eater of guests under your roof! Zeus and the gods have paid you!” (The Odyssey) The Odyssey is an epic poem. Throughout the book, Homer uses epic simile to continue the story. “Then he dismembered them and made his meal, / gaping and crunching like a mountain lion- / everything; innards, flesh, and marrow bones. (The Odyssey) Odysseus fought in the Trojan War and it had took him 10 years to get back to Ithaca. He has fought Cyclopes, listen to the Sirens, and have encounter nymphs. Odysseus seems like the least qualified person to be similar to a person in real life with his unnatural qualities. Believe it or not, Odysseus couldn’t be more similar to us. Odysseus has strong pride with what he does. “You are free to make any decision you wish. But you are not free from the consequences of that decision.” Odysseus was trapped inside of Polyphemus’ cave and needed a way to escape. While staying there for a few days, him and his men had decided to hit the cyclop in the eye with a spike and clinging to the belly of a ram. Successful as this was, Odysseus took much pride in what he did and had to pay the price. Poseidon, Polyphemus’ father, roared the seas and it crashed onto Odysseus’ ships. This is related to real life because pridefulness is a trait that many can have. Karma pays the price to those who cannot control

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