Throughout its history, strong values have stood at the core of Greek culture. Ancient Greeks placed a focus on a balance of mind and body. Citizens were expected to adhere to three main Greek virtues; these being respect for the body, respect for the gods, and hospitality. At times, these virtues were not upheld, usually resulting in what they believed to be punishment from the gods. Examples of this can be seen in the epic, The Odyssey, authored by Homer. Throughout the poem, a repeated disregard for the ancient Greek values teaches readers a fundamental principle of life--consequences follow poor decisions. After ignoring the Greek value respect for the body, Cyclops is tricked and blinded by Odysseus. Odysseus describes the monster when trapped in his cave: "in one stride he clutched at …show more content…
my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, spattering the floor. Then he dismembered them and made his meal, gaping and crunching like a mountain lion-- everything: innards, flesh, and marrow bones" (IX, 113-118). By consuming the men, Cyclops demonstrates disrespect for the body. Consequently, Odysseus and his men are prompted to escape from Cyclops' cave, blinding him in the process. Homer writes, "even as he [Cyclops] spoke, he reeled and tumbled backward, his great head lolling to one side: and sleep took him like any creature. Drunk, hiccuping, he dribbled streams of liquor and bits of men" (IX, 402-405). Cyclops does not display the virtuous characteristics of a Greek by allowing himself to become drunk. Because of this, Odysseus is able to devise a plan to help his shipmates escape from the cave. Similar to the way Cyclops' disrespect for the body yielded consequences, Odysseus and his men experience the wrath of the gods when they do not exhibit a respect for the gods. The crew and Odysseus show no respect for the gods, which, in turn extends the length of their journey.
While sailing away from Cyclops' island, Odysseus calls out, "'Kyklops, if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laërtes' son, whose home's on Ithaka" (IX, 548-552). Cyclops calls on his father, Zeus, to wreak havoc upon the sea after receiving multiple insults from Odysseus. As a result, Odysseus and his shipmates are not able to return home as quickly as planned. Later in their journey, the sailors encounter the sun god, Helios', cows: "they have killed your kine.' And the Lord Helios burst into angry speech among the immortals: 'O Father Zeus and gods in bliss forever, punish Odysseus' men! So overweening, now they have killed my peaceful kine...Restitution or penalty they shall pay-- and pay in full'" (XII, 481-490). Circe warns them to refrain from eating Helios' cows, however, Odysseus' men eat them anyway. They are punished by death, and Odysseus is the only one allowed to live. This disregard for a Greek value results in a fate similar to that of other characters in the
book. Not behaving hospitably, Penelope's suitors face grim consequences. Telemachus tells the assembly, "'these men spend their days around our house killing our beeves and sheep and fatted goats, carousing, soaking up our good dark wine, not caring what they do. They squander everything'" (II, 59-62). In Greek culture, part of being hospitable is being a considerate, good-natured guest. The suitors, however, are ill mannered, constantly gorging themselves and becoming drunk. As a result of their disrespectful behavior, Odysseus deals with the men accordingly upon his return. Odysseus returns home disguised as a beggar, and the suitors--not knowing who he is--mock him: "the crowd in the banquet hall broke into an ugly din, shouts rising from the flushed young men: . . . 'Ho! Where do you think you are taking that, you smutty slave? . . . We'll toss you back alone among the pigs" (XXI, 405-412). Because he is disguised, Odysseus is able to see how badly the suitors treat others. In fury, he eventually slays them all. As punishment for severely lacking in hospitality toward Penelope and Odysseus, the suitors are killed. As shown, characters in The Odyssey ignore the three ancient Greek values, which often leads to consequences. Cyclops shows no respect for the body; instead, eating two of Odysseus' men and allowing himself to become drunk. Then, Odysseus and his shipmates disrespect Cyclops and Helios, causing the gods to punish them. Furthermore, the suitors display no ounce of hospitality whatsoever, resulting in their death. All of these examples show that not being a virtuous Greek brings consequences, meaning one should always strive to follow the Greek values. Yet, had the characters followed these virtues, there may not have been a story to tell.
In the story The Odyssey, Odysseus showed many traits. I believe the most important trait he showed was loyalty. He showed it in multiple situations. Odysseus showed loyalty when dealing with the sirens, the louts eaters, and the cyclops.
The definition of pride is a feeling or deep pleasure of satisfaction that people obtain from their own accomplishments. Odysseus, the main character in The Odyssey, is full of pride throughout his long journey. Odysseus is a warrior from the ten year Trojan War and he is trying to get back home to Ithaca. He is one of the most popular war heros from his time. On his journey home over sea, the sea god and Odysseus’s enemy Poseidon, creates obstacles for Odysseus that he has to overcome if he wants to get home. Odysseus eventually returns home after another ten years. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer represents pride Odysseus’ biggest flaw throughout his encounter with Polyphemus and the Phaeacians.
Like Jacob, Odysseus connived, manipulated, and deceived. On his journey home from the Trojan War, Odysseus uses his trickster ways to get himself out of trouble. One famous tail was his encounter with the one-eyed Cyclopes Polyphemous. Odysseus and his crew landed on the land of they Cyclopes. They made themselves at home, eating the cheese and goats of the Cyclopes, fully expecting him to be hospitable. Instead, Cyclops began eating then men as though they were animals themselves. Odysseus and his men were trapped in the cave and Polyphemous rolled a stone over the entrance so no one could exit. Odysseus connived a plan and gave the Cyclopes some wine. When he got drunk and passed out, Odysseus poked out the eye of Polyphemous and completely blinds him. Odysseus and his men escape the cave by clinging to the bellies of sheep (Odyssey, Ch. 9). He also disguised himself as a veteran of a Trojan war to Eumaios, a loyal servant, and as a beggar to his wife and son.
Throughout The Odyssey, written by Homer and translated by Robert Fagles, the reader is shown many examples of ancient Greek values. As Odysseus travels home from Troy, he is faced with many challenges. Some test his physical and mental strength, while others test his moral values and how he holds up against more psychological adversaries. The Ancient Greeks have very entrenched beliefs and their actions show it. Some of the most important Greek values include Hospitality, Loyalty, and intelligence.
“What goes around comes around”,this great saying means that kindness is key. In the Odyssey by Homer, one important theme states how hospitality and kindness are always the best policy. Temptations and Obstacles represents a glimpse of allegory in life. Friendship is also a great thing in life because it's about support through tough and good times. Always feel generous with your kindness and support like Odysseus did on his journey.
After they finally escaped from the brutal monster, Odysseus made another poor decision. The men were rowing their boats away from the island when Odysseus decided that it was a good idea to taunt the raging Cyclops: “So, Cyclops,...Your filthy crimes came down on your own head, you shameless cannibal...so Zeus and the other gods have paid you back” (9.531-36)! This angered Polyphemus more, which led him to hurl a mountain top into the water, forcing Odysseus and his men back near the shore. After one time, you’d think Odysseus would have learned his lesson, but he continued to taunt the monster after they had rowed back out: “Cyclops - if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you...say Odysseus, raider of cities...Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca” (9.558-62)! Not only did Polyphemus acquire the location of his home, he cursed Odysseus, so that if and when he returned home, it would be late, he would be broken, and problems at home would arise, which was why taunting the Cyclops was a horrible decision. In conclusion, one could argue that most of Odysseus’ choices were favorable
Odysseus dealt with his disobedient crew. After an already difficult journey, Odysseus and his crew arrive at Aeolis, where the king Aeolus offers him wind in a bag, which had enough wind to send Odysseus’s ship back home to Ithaca. While Odysseus sleeps, the crew conspires, believing that the bag contained treasure, “Aeolus has lavished these gifts upon him. Let 's have a quick look, and see what’s here, How much gold and silver is stuffed in this bag” (Homer p.142). The crewmen opened the bag and the winds rushed out, taking them back to Aeolis’ island. Due to their curiosity and disobedience, the crew adds years to the journey. But the crew does not learn from the mistake, and the next time they disobey, the consequences were fatal. When they arrive one Helios’ island, Odysseus forbids the crew to consume the cattle of the Sun God. “But swear me a great oath, every last man: If we find any cattle or sheep on this island, no man will kill a single cow or sheep. In his recklessness, but will be content to eat the food immortal Circe gave us” (Homer p.186-87). But while Odysseus is gone, the crew disregards his instructions and feasts one Helios’ cattle. Their consequence was Zeus destroying the ship and the crew, leaving only Odysseus alive. Odysseus wishes to go home, but he cannot control his men’s ignorance. The crew’s disobedience prevents Odysseus from achieving his
When Odysseus visits the land of the dead in book 11 to consult the dead seer Teiresias, Teiresias gives him several pieces of advice. One main thing he tells Odysseus is, “If only you have the strength and will to control your men’s appetites. And your own from the moment when your good ship leaves the deep blue sea and approaches the isle of Thrinacie. There you will find at their pasture the cattle and the fat flocks of the Sun-god, whose eyes and ears miss nothing in the world. If you leave them untouched and fix your mind on returning home, there is some chance that all of you may yet return to Ithaca, though not without suffering. But if you hurt them I predict that your ship and company will be destroyed, and if you yourself contrive to escape, you will reach home late, in a wretched state, upon a foreign ship, having lost all of your comrades.” (Homer, The Odyssey, 143) When Odysseus and his men land on the island of Thrinacie, Odysseus warns his crew not to butcher any of the cattle they see. However, his men do not follow Odysseus’s advice and butcher several cattle out of hunger. As a result, when Odysseus and his crew finally leave the island, Zeus blasts their ship with a lightning bolt (as revenge for Helios/the Sun-god) causing every man to perish with the exception of Odysseus. In short, Teiresias gives advice to Odysseus to not butcher any of
book takes place in, is called to action and set in motion on his Hero
For example the treatment of slaves. Slaves in many societies were people who were treated poorly, whipped for not doing work, had very little possessions, and treated with disrespect. In contrast, Homer displays a world where slaves are treated with dignity, even though they are lower down in society’s hierarchy. (Slavery Ancient Greece, n.d.) The Odyssey also shows how mortals and the gods exhibit many similar attributes and failings. Homers uses these to give his world of The Odyssey a new meaning, one that may have lessons for today. To not be caught in the trap of jealously, greed and lust, and to treat people who are not as ‘powerful’ with some respect. This is a core message in The Odyssey and which is still relevant
When a Cyclops attacks two of Odysseus’s men, the “ruthless brute” snatches them up and “[knocks] them dead like pups-/their brains [gushing] out all over, [soaking] the floor-/and ripping them from limb to limb to fix his meal/ he [bolts] them down like a mountain lion, [leaving] no scrap,/[devouring] entrails, flesh and bones, marrow and all”, while Odysseus can only watch the Cyclops’s “grisly work-/paralyzed, appalled” (9.323-332). The Cyclops wastes no time in gruesomely devouring two of Odysseus’s men.
When Odysseus and his men realized they were trapped inside the cave, Odysseus was smart enough to realize that they would be trapped forever by the Cyclops boulder if they killed him. Not only is Odysseus smart enough to create a plan of escape by getting the Cyclops drunk but also stays calm and collected to trick the Cyclops into drinking the wine without arousing suspicion. As a result, they stab the Cyclops, blinding him. To hide his identity as king of Ithaca and to trick the neighboring Cyclops he gives a false name by saying, “My name is Nohbody: mother, father, and friends, / everyone calls...
Many diverse cultures are found in every corner of the world. Every culture is defined by its traditions and values. The film “The Odyssey,” depicts the culture of the ancient Greeks where it illustrates the life of a man, Odysseus, who has gone on a journey just to get back to his kingdom. Many values and traditions could be identified through the path of the journey. Some elements that are found important to the Greeks are the music, the religion, and the duty to the kingdom.
Odysseus and his men land on the island of the Cyclops extremely hungry and looking for food. He and his men carefully search the island despite the “....instant foreboding that we were gong to find ourselves face to face with some barbarous being of colossal strength and ferocity, uncivilized and unprincipled” (Homer;9;213;216). The Cyclops also known as Polyphemus returns home from tending his animals to find twelve strangers in his cave. He quickly returns the boulder back in the door way and begins asking the men who they are and where they came from. At first Polyphenus shows hospitality to them until Odysseus replies to him with a lie. Polyphenus is outraged and quickly grabs two of Odysseus’ men and bashes their brains out and begins to eat them. Odysseus and his men are terrified that such a horrific creature could do such a thing. He then realizes that will have to use their whits to get away from this creature not their brute strength. He then hardens a stick out of a piece of olive wood and hides it under some dung in the cave. When Polyphenus returns to the cave Odysseus then sets out to ...
Odysseus performs many brave deeds throughout his adventures across the Mediterranean Sea. Eventually, he comes across Polyphemus the Cyclops who decides to be a savage, cruel cannibal