Your actions always have a way of coming back to you. This is shown from the stories called ‘Greek Myths’. They populated around 3000-1100 BCE. A myth is a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a person or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events. In these stories, there was typically a God who had a purpose. To do or say something. But most of the time, a theme of foolishness comes about. To be foolish means to show a lack of sense, or ill-considered. As a result of their foolish actions, in most myths, the character or God who has acted in such a way is punished, usually cursed by another God of higher power. For example, some curses take away the ability …show more content…
Foolish acts come with very harsh punishments. There are many examples of this, so let me tell you 3 of them. Orpheus, known as ‘The Great Musician,’ was a mortal who could make such heavenly songs. Trees would gather around him to give shade, and other creatures stayed along to hear him sing. Many were in love with him, but he had eyes only for Eurydice the Nymph. One day, tragically, Eurydice was bitten by a vicious snake, and died in spite of all the attempts to save her. Orpheus mourned his wife so much that he grabbed his lyre and went down into the underworld. He asks Hades to give back his wife. Hades grants this wish, but shortly …show more content…
A narcissistic man is what he is. A young girl named Echo had been a fool and fell in love with him. Though her voice was taken away, she was not allowed to speak unless someone spoke before, and even then she could only repeat what they said in an echo. During a hike one day, Narcissus encounters Echo, as she confesses her love for him, he insults her. “Never will I let you kiss me” or “I would die before I would have you touch me.” Due to these words, Echo begs to be killed. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, is kind to the nymph and kills her. Though, because of him insulting Echo’s love, he is insulting the one and only Aphrodite. “He shall not go unpunished for this cruelty” she says. And those words stuck in my mind. Narcissus is forced to fall in love with his reflection, causing him to die a sorrowful death, just as Echo once did. Narcissus was a self-centered man, only caring for himself and his wishes. This causes him to be killed. Had he been less full of himself, and did not insult the love of Echo, he would have lived on. But, due to his actions, he was cursed by Aphrodite and died a slow, painful, heartbreaking death. The Earth grew flowers along his body as the whispers of him and Echo lived on. Prometheus was born to the Titan Lapetus and the nymph Clymene. He was known to be the supreme trickster. Even though being allied with the Titans, he helped Zeus gain victory in the War of the Titans. This caused Zeus to
Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus’ power was gained through the power of others resulting in three phases of understanding: self-determination, courage, and having a greater vision in life. In order to understand these three phases, one must be able to conquer predominance from those less useful than others. Although Odysseus was physically strong, he was not who he was mentally, without the help and guidance through the gods. Odysseus was like one who has no friends, but when he meets up with more people, he becomes popular. One who was alone and meets new people, has more friends and finds out more interesting subjects about daily life. They are the ones who have more predominance than others because they know more people and have much more interesting subjects. Odysseus was like this because he didn’t know much without the help and guidance from others.
In The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Allen Mandelbaum, Homer retells the story of Odysseus’s expedition from Troy to his homeland, Ithaca. Along the way, Odysseus faces numerous challenges—from dealing with Poseidon’s wrath to getting trapped on Calypso’s island. With Athena’s guidance, he returns to Ithaca to reunite with his son, Telemachus, and loyal wife, Penelope. Throughout the book, hubris or excessive pride is in display especially with Odysseus and the suitors. Hubris causes the them to neglect the gods and create careless mistakes which backfire in the future. Their incapability to make good decisions is affected by their pride which blurs what is and is not a good idea. In addition, hubris is also a trait looked down on in Greek culture. Homer lets his audience understand how pride can be part of one’s success. However, hubris will not only cause his or her downfall but also of those around them.
At some point in their life, many people experience feelings of inadequacy or uncertainty. In “The Odyssey” by Homer, one of the main characters Telemachus experiences both of these feelings. He feels that he is not good enough, especially compared to his father, Odysseus, who many people refer to as a great leader. In the beginning of “The Odyssey”, Telemachus’ home has been taken over by suitors, each with the goal of winning over his mother, in hopes to marry her and become king. Telemachus is not fond of these men in his home, but does not have the confidence to get rid of them. Lastly, at this point in the story, Odysseus, Telemachus’ father, has been gone for approximately twenty years, most of Telemachus’ life. Telemachus has been
Odysseus is one of the most renowned warriors of all time. However, many historians argue that he was one of the worst leaders in all of literature and humanity. Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus has shown traits unbefitting of a leader and king. Odysseus is a lousy leader because he is arrogant, disloyal, and selfish.
Huyen Nguyen Ms. Wilson English 213, Blk 1 November 24, 2015 Odyssey Response Paper #2 Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged. In the Odyssey, by Homer, vengeance and justice go hand in hand in rationalizing one's actions. Poseidon covers his need for vengeance on Odysseus by stating justice must be served for his son, Polyphemus, whom Odysseus blinds. Odysseus also has a need for personal vengeance on the suitors for taking over his home; however, Odysseus justifies his actions by requiring justice for his home and wife instead of for himself.
“There is no safety in unlimited hubris” (McGeorge Bundy). The dictionary defines hubris as overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance. In The Odyssey, Homer embodies hubris into the characters Odysseus, the Suitors, and the Cyclopes. Odysseus shows hubris when he is battling the Cyclopes, the Cyclopes show hubris when dealing with Odysseus, and the Suitors show it when Odysseus confronts them at his home.
In ancient Greece, one would fall into one of the two major classes: civilized and uncivilized. In order to fall into the class of civilized, one must abide by Ancient Greek expectations and societal norms; disregard of these rules would defines one as uncivilized. One’s class would then decide not only their way of living but also their perspective image and worth. In ancient Greece, civilization was important to the Greeks to prove their nation was gaining power and flourishing. Anyone whom displayed uncivilized behavior was labeled as barbaros; consequently diminishing their worth to the nation. In Homer’s The Odyssey, the epic exemplified the elements of civilized and uncivilized behavior though views of residency, societal customs, and traditions of hospitality.
The sum of all human traits is defined as human nature, meaning the excuse for our vices, and the flaws of mortal life. In Homer's The Odyssey, the main character Odysseus demonstrates these flaws throughout his journey, constantly struggling through the eternal fight for realization of life and death, and is weighed down by the never ending power struggle of nature versus mankind.
A person’s character is developed and influenced by the experiences they undergo during their lifetime. For instance, someone who was isolated during adolescents will likely have difficulty communicating with others just like an abuse victim will be more inclined to have trust issues. All throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus goes through major misfortunes that continued to develop his character even after his return home. The decisions and judgments that he makes determine the evolvement in his character. Odysseus’ character was altered throughout the chorus of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, progressing from reckless to cautious, impulsive to patient, and egotistical to relatively humble.
The Ancient Greeks sought to define how humans should view their lives and how to create an existence dedicated to the basis of the “ideal” nature. This existence would be lived so as to create an “honorable” death upon their life’s end. Within their plays, both dramas and comedies, they sought to show the most extreme characteristics of human nature, those of the wise and worthy of Greek kleos along with the weak and greedy of mind, and how they were each entitled to a death but of varying significance. The Odyssey, their greatest surviving drama, stands as the epitome of defining both the flawed and ideal human and how each individual should approach death and its rewards and cautions through their journeys. Death is shown to be the consequence
These traits -choosing significant relationships where love can never be satisfactorily consumated, and the tendency to mirror significant others- were motivating features for choosing the term Echo Personality Disorder. In Greek mythology Echo was the lover of Narcissus. In this myth Echo, a forest nymph, falls in love with the egocentric youth Narcissus, and when he shows clear signs of rejecting her she persists in her attatchement, and will not be moved from her aim. She finally satisfies herself with the masochistic task of echoing back to him all that he says. This too is a central feature of EPD behaviour in relationships, where the individual will mirror, echo, and compliment another at the expense of their own self-worth and dignity. This echoing behaviour, though, does not exhaust the mythological potential of Echo, even if commentators on the myth narrow their descriptions to this single episode with Narcissus. Echo also has relations with Zeus, Hera, Pan, and Gaia, which have a different coloration to those she has with Narcissus, and has many friends in the form of other forest nymphs -"sisters" as we would call them today; attesting to the complexity we find within the Echo personality constellation.
In the epic poem, Odyssey, Homer provides examples of the consequences of impulsive and irrational thinking, and the rewards of planning and rationality.
... Orpheus thinks that a trick is being played on him and turns around, causing Eurydice to be lost forever. This leads the viewer to believe that Orpheus was not really in the underworld and that this was just a fake journey into a nonexistent underworld. It seems quite odd that anyone can walk down a spiral staircase and be placed at the gates of Hades. This is the main reason the journey into the underworld appears to be a false one.
Homer’s epic, the Odyssey, is a heroic narrative that follows the adventures of Odysseus, the powerful King of Ithaca. The main story involves Odysseus’s return journey to his homeland after the Trojan War. However, Homer skips around in the action periodically to give the reader a better understanding and interest in what is going on in the epic. Homer takes his audience from the present action involving Telemakhos’ search for news of his father’s return, to the past where Odysseus tells the Phaiakians of his tragic journey home after the war. The events in Homer’s epic are not in order but still prove more effective at guiding the reader through the narrative. Although the events in the Odyssey are not in chronological order, the story line is enriched by Homer’s use of the in media res method because it introduces characters that were not involved in Odysseus’ adventure, because it shows the urgency of Odysseus’ return to his kingdom, and because it allows the reader to become more interested in the opening chapters without having to wait for a climax in the action.
In the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, the two get married but Eurydice quickly perishes. Overcome with grief Orpheus convinces Hades to let him bring back Eurydice to the world of the living. He agrees but on one condition; Eurydice has to walk behind Orpheus and he cannot look back to see if she's following. Orpheus agrees, but when the couple are just about to leave Erebus, Orpheus looks back to see his lover. With a final "Farewell" Eurydice