On February 2nd, 2016, in trial of the Odysseus, the jury found the defendant guilty of both counts of unjustifiable first degree murder. While both sides of the trial had differing points, the defense had an overall weak and unconvincing case while the prosecution provided strong evidence of these unjustifiable murders using a variety of persuasive techniques.
The defense had provided a variety of weak, scattered arguments to prove their side of the case. Their primary argument was self-defense, claiming Odysseus felt threatened by suitors and thus had to resolve to murder. The defense attorneys stated how the suitors had already plotted to kill Telemachus and had entered the home of Odysseus without any permission. A weakness of this argument was
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Since he had not exhausted other options, it wasn’t legally a valid point. In addition, as soon as Odysseus revealed himself, the suitors attempted to flee the home, which shows that they weren’t a threat, but Odysseus still chose to kill them.
Another supporting argument the defense ran was self-defense in the battle, saying that majority of suitors had attacked Odysseus first. However the hole in this argument is that the suitors were the ones acting in self-defense. Unlike the defense’s primary argument, the suitors were explicitly threatened and it was shown to be a valid threat as Odysseus had already killed multiple suitors. On top of that, the suitors had exhausted other options by begging for mercy and peace and trying to escape before fighting. Thus, it was rational for the suitors to attack.
The defense also made two overarching arguments to remove the blame from Odysseus. One was shifting the blame to Athena. The basis of this point was that Athena told Odysseus to kill the suitors and he chose to do so because when he had disobeyed the will of the gods in the past, and terror was brought upon
In the book, ¨The Odyssey¨ translated by Robert Fitzgerald, Odysseus’ actions are considered just and moral, but in today’s standards his actions are considered self defense. For example in Book 22 through 24, Odysseus is plotting and carrying out his revenge on the suitors. This action is one of the most conversion, but it was self defense, because they invaded his home and the suitors will kill Odysseus and his son Telemanchus if he does not act. Odyssus also acted in self defense in the Cyclopse cave in
What are the key points you will want to emphasize in your online profile for Character 1 (3-4 sentences)?
Odysseus returns home and seeks revenge on the suitors that plague his wife. In order for him to be successful with the revenge he must use his cunning, knowledge of battle and his desire to be with his wife Penelope.
In Odysseus's mind he has very good reasons to kill the suitors. He decided to kill them when he found out that they wanted to marry his wife. The suitors has all assumed that he was dead, for 20 years. As a result they tried to marry his wife. Penelope also believed that he was still alive and she tried to delay any marriages. Odysseus's idea to kill them all is not very logical especially because while he was away on his 20 year expedition he cheated on his wife two times. Odysseus actions were very rash. The reader can see this when Eurymachus says, “Rash actions, many here,” (Homer 818). Eurymachus knows that Odysseus has made rash decision and he is trying to show him his ways and how it is bad. Later the reader reads that Odysseus doesn’t really see that and he is just excited to be reunited with his wife.
In his part of the story Odysseus is trying to get him and his men free of the cyclops so they can go home. The cyclops is Poseidon's son and Odysseus offended Poseidon when he harms the cyclops, which is very disrespectful. These are two huge examples that show why Odysseus is a bad
Finally, some readers of this text might argue that it was not a just move by Odysseus to kill all the disloyal maids. An argument can be made that they had no choice in what they did, they can say that the maids were forced, like Medon said, “They were too strong, too many--they forced me to come and sing--I had no choice!” (22.372-373). It can be said that the maids acted out of fear for their lives. But to counter this argument it is pointed in the text that the maids slept with the suitors and some of them betrayed Penelope by telling the suitors that she was tricking them to get gifts instead of looking for a husband to replace Odysseus.
Murdering and robbing the Cicones on their island was not only unnecessary, but it cost Odysseus many of his men, “I sacked their city, massacred their men. We took much treasure and we took their wives… In each ship’s crew, six of my well-greaved comrades died” (Homer 171). Odysseus could have sailed right by the island of the Cicones, but that would not have boosted his ego. Killing these men and enslaving the others was another opportunity for Odysseus to prove to others what kind of leader he was, so he took it. After learning from this experience, Odysseus did not take the next opportunity to prove himself. Odysseus could have reciprocated Antinous’ actions when he threw a stool at Odysseus, but “When struck, he did not budge; he stood, firm as a rock; he only shook his head…he devised a deadly plot” (Homer 353). Although murdering Antinous at that moment was another opportunity to prove himself, Odysseus knew that it would be detrimental to his plan. Instead of acting out of egocentrism, he continued his façade as a beggar. Throughout his ordeal, Odysseus was able to progress from egocentric to relatively
In the final phase of his plan, where kills them, he states: “ /wooed my wife behind my back while I was still alive!/ No fear that man's revenge might arrive someday, now all your necks are in the noose-your doom is sealed”(XXII. 37-42). Evidently upset about the courting of his wife, he displays his heroic trait of courage. To stand before 108 men, and speak boldly questioning their actions, is unbelievably courageous , and without a doubt characterizes him as daring and audacious. Additionally, when he rejects to Eurymachus’ offer of gold, and promptly replies with an even more confident speech, regarding the punishment the suitors are soon to receive, evidence of his brutality and his courage: “ Not if you paid me all your father’s gold….not even then would I stay my hands from slaughter till all you suitors had paid all of your crimes!”(XXII. 65-68). This is where he tips over the point of violence into barbaricness. He kills the suitors brutally and viciously, showing his heroic trait of being ruthless to his enemies, as well as his skills, strength, and courage. Collectively these events exemplify Odysseus’ love for Penelope, portraying her pivotal role in the characterization of Odysseus. Homer uses Penelope, as Odysseus’ motivation in the story to bring out his loving husband side, as well as
Penelope refused to take another man in Odysseus’s place, as she continued to love and respect him in his absence. She was too appalled by any of the suitors to decide between them. Without a final decision, the suitors continued to vie for her hand in marriage and kept using and destroying Odysseus’s possessions and property. Athena, in her disguise, pointed out the flaw in the suitors’ actions to Telemakhos: “‘How arrogant they seem,// these gluttons, making free in your house!// A sensible man would blush to be among them.’” (Book I, pg 8, 272-274) She acknowledged their wrongdoings and pointed out how awful they truly were. The suitors became one of Odysseus’s main challenges in the novel, as he needed to rightfully return to Penelope. Their greed and desire for Penelope’s hand in marriage necessitated Odysseus’s return to Ithaca. To enact his revenge upon the suitors, Odysseus had to kill them all. This changed Odysseus’s fate, as he was forced to sneak home and kill one hundred men by himself; however, before that was able to happen, Odysseus had to sail a ship home with the help of a
Homer’s poem The Odyssey depicts the tendency of people to ignore the consequences of their actions. Odysseus punished Penelope’s suitors without thinking of consequences that he would have to endure. He did not acknowledge the consequences because that would prevent him from doing what he wants to do. Odysseus wanted to kill the suitors; they ate away at his fortune. Finding consequences for murdering the suitors would force Odysseus to realize what he is about to do is not a good idea. Odysseus chose to ignore the consequences and killed the suitors anyway. Odysseus had absolutely no reason to kill the suitors; they had the right to stay in his home because Penelope made them feel welcome, Penelope and Telemachus both told them that Odysseus was dead, and although Telemachus told them to leave, he did not have the right to do so.
Secondly, Odysseus has great self-control, which allows him to deeply contemplate his decisions. Moments before Odysseus falls asleep, he spots a “covey of women laughing as they [slip] out…to the suitors’ beds” (Homer 375). Seeing this, Odysseus is angered and wants to kill every one of the suitors right then and there. But Odysseus retains his self-control and does not strike yet. At that moment, if he did strike, he would have lost because he would not have been prepared. He retains all his anger for the final battle with the suitors. In that battle, Odysseus is fully prepared and ready to fight, resulting in all the suitors’ deaths. Next, when Antinoos throws a footstool at Odysseus, “Odysseus only [shakes] his head, containing thoughts of bloody work” (Homer 326).
...ally some men were killed and how the disloyal maids had died as well. This may just be because the writing style of that time was different, but it showed a darker side to Odysseus and those that fought with him.
During his absence, many suitors propose to his wife Penelope. Upon his return, Odysseus and Athena decide to kill all the men who seeked marriage with his wife. Athena is excited to see Odysseus back to his god-like self, and asks him to “consider how [he’s] going to get [his] hands on these shameless suitors, who for three years now have taken over [his] house, proposing to [his] wife and giving her gifts.” (XIII, 390-393) Athena enjoys plotting against these suitors, which her language in talking about them shows. It should also be noted that she never asks Odysseus if he wants to kill the suitors. Immediately, she assumes that he is going to kill them. How is Odysseus supposed to turn her down? She is a goddess, and he is a god fearing man. His power to murder the suitors is infinite, with a goddess on his side. He is not abusing his power, but is in fact using the power that is expected of him by
Homer’s literature served as a moral messenger to the people of ancient Greece. The Odyssey by Homer demonstrates the character development of Odysseus, the epic hero, and his journey of self-discovery. Odysseus was a great, wise, noble, and well respected war hero to his people. Odysseus had one tragic flaw that was demonstrated by his actions throughout the book. The author Homer continued to strip Odysseus of his arrogance throughout the story, by throwing challenges his way, making him pay for his mistakes, and allowing him to continue to overcome obstacles. The main purpose of Odysseus journey also to reach his home a more humble man. Reading Odysseus’ journey also served as a way to look at morals. The