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Odysseus character development
Tragic hero definition shakespeare romeo and juliet
Odysseus character development
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What truly makes a tragic hero? Moreover, what makes Odysseus a tragic hero? It is not often that one stops to consider all the characteristics that someone must possess to be considered as such. Various things come into play; suffering, the hubris that the hero possesses and the hero’s vulnerabilities being just a few of the many pieces involved. Odysseus exhibits all of this, and much more, throughout the entirety of the Odyssey. Homer, Pires and many others make it difficult for one to disagree with the information that is being provided by blatantly showcasing these characteristics throughout their works, Despite Odysseus’ noble stature, he is just as human and vulnerable as anyone else. The weaknesses he exhibits give some insight into …show more content…
the role he actually plays within the Odyssey. As well as this, readers are able to identify with him quite a bit, a feat that is not seen within characters who do not act as tragic heroes. Without a doubt, the reader can first see the flaws and vulnerabilities Odysseus possesses when he is resting on Calypso’s island; At this point in the story Odysseus appears weaker than usual and is unable to leave the temptresses’ grasp for seven long years. Pires (2013) clearly conveys this event to the reader, unambiguously saying, “Odysseus…was also weak in the face of Calypso…despite…the love for his wife…he was unable to resist Calypso’s advances.” (para. 7) From here on, Odysseus’ mistakes become more frequent, and in some cases, a bit doltish; Such is the case with the bag of winds that happens to come into his possession. Odysseus does not warn his men about the bags powerful capabilities, and when they do wrong he becomes enraged and refers to them as ignorant fools; He blames the crew for the disaster that occurs soon after, though it is not entirely their fault. The crew is blown off course soon after this event. This event is clearly depicted within the article In the Odyssey, what are Some Examples that Prove that Odysseus is Arrogant? (n.d.), when Odysseus’ true feelings on the matter come to light, “But would they listen? Not those mutinous fools.” Are many others we encounter not the same way, filled with bountiful amounts of anger? Others often blame their friends and loved ones for things that were out of their hands as well. Once more, we can see just how flawed Odysseus is when the crew reaches Circe’s island for the second time. At this time, one can see how rash Odysseus truly is, putting his wants and desires above that of his men. This ultimately leads to disaster. Odysseus does not warn his men of the potential danger that may lie ahead and many lives are lost as a result when the men travel through the isle of Scylla. No one depicts this in a manner that is clearer than that of Homer (2009) himself; within the Odyssey, it is painted clearly for the reader, “He tells his crew of Circe’s warnings, but leaves out her dire prediction…now I say…this peril too shall be something we remember…the monster…the pity…far the worst I have ever suffered.” (p. 751-753). Though Odysseus has suffered on a much larger scale than that of a normal individual, who can honestly say that they have not experienced similar hardships? Furthermore, tragic heroes often suffer much more than what is necessary.
They are stripped of basic pleasures, and often lose those that they love and hold close. This happens to Odysseus on several occasions throughout the entirety of the story. With regards to the great suffering that Odysseus must endure, the first case presents itself while he is on Calypso’s island. Though he, nor his men, face any considerable danger, his is very unhappy with the situation at hand. He has been forced to remain on the island for several years, and one can blatantly see that he desperately misses his home and family. Homer (2009) makes this apparent within the way Odysseus speaks to the goddess, saying, “My quiet Penelope – how well I know - … I long for home, long for the sight of home.” (p.718) Moreover, the reader can clearly see the onslaught of unfortunate events that Odysseus must face once more when he visits the land of the dead; here he learns that his mother has committed suicide in his absence. One can see the anguish he truly feels when looking back at Homer’s (2009) Odyssey, “He also sees his mother…she has died. Through his tears, he holds the spirits back.” (p. 746) Dolefully so, Odysseus is unable to return to Ithica as soon as he would have liked. Of course, several similar encounters follow this, further proving that Odysseus has dealt with more than his fair share of tragedy. In addition to this, after Odysseus has finally been released from Calypso’s grasp, misfortune strikes once more. It is rather clear that Odysseus cares deeply for his men. This was clearly painted for the reader while Odysseus and his crew were on Circe’s island; a few of his men had been morphed into swine, and Odysseus refused to eat or drink until he had been assured that his men were safe. However, this is not what one must look to when seeking proof that Odysseus has been hit with an onslaught of disaster; for this, one must look to the events that took place on Helios’ island.
The men had been advised prior to their arrival that they should not eat the cattle living on the island. This advice was not heeded, and all who were present faced the consequences. One can clearly see how devastating this truly was as Homer (2009), relays the event, saying, “Zeus delivers his punishment…that destroys their ship. All the men are drowned but Odysseus.” (p. 758). Retribution had been delivered in the most brutal of ways, taking some of the people that Odysseus care about most away from him in the process while he was left to carry the burden of it all. Above all, one can clearly see what makes Odysseus a tragic hero when considering the fatal flaw, or hubris, he possesses, arrogance. This often dictates the direction in which his fate will flow, the results of which are not always pleasant. This atrocious flaw first comes to light at the end of the Trojan war. The Ithican king takes credit for the horse trick, an achievement that he could not have accomplished without the help of Poseidon. The sea god comes to learn of this boastful behavior he has been exhibiting and vows to punish him, making the trip home much longer and very difficult. Undoubtedly, this has been laid out clearly for the reader when it has been said within the article What are some examples of Odysseus being boastful or showing an infatuation of self in Homer's Odyssey? (n.d.). that, “He declares he alone thought of the idea…he refuses to acknowledge the gods…Poseidon sent a sea monster to destroy the Trojan who did not believe the Trojan Horse was a gift,” (para. 1). Lugubriously, Odysseus encounters the fury of Poseidon once more, again at the hands of his arrogance. He blinds a Cyclops that Poseidon has fathered, his pride swelling immensely; he begins to gloat and Polyphemus begs for his father’s assistance in regards the situation at hand. Poseidon agrees, punishing Odysseus for his actions once more. Surely, the article Hubris in The Odyssey (n.d.) depicts this is a way that is dissimilar to any other source, proclaiming, “He yells back at Polyphemus…this…is what keeps Odysseus from being able to sail home… Poseidon…was angered…Poseidon’s goal then became to stop Odysseus from returning to Ithica.” (para. 2). Patently, this hubris can be seen one final time, showcased at the end of the tale when Odysseus returns to Ithica. He comes to find that many suitors have taken up residence in his home, wishing for the hand of his wife; A competition is then held and the suitors are soon slain by Odysseus. Given, though this event does not end as unpleasantly for Odysseus as the others have, he does begin to boast about his actions. The manner in which he does so is somewhat subtle but still identifiable. Yet again the reader may turn towards the work of Homer (2009) in which it has been said, "There will be killing till the score is paid…I doubt one man of you skins by…these now fell upon the suitors…while torn men moaned at death, and blood ran smoking over the whole floor." (p. 779) Indisputably, this one event shows that Odysseus is overly confident in his capabilities. Candidly, can one deny that that Odysseus is a tragic hero? The reader has seen, on more than once occasion, all the traits that Odysseus possesses that mark him as such. Throughout the entirety of the tale, he had suffered much more than what is necessary. The flaws he possesses, as well as the hubris he possesses, also serve as reminders of the position that the king of Ithaca holds within the story. Truly, the few examples that have been offered are not things that can be easily disregarded. As has been noted, one should see these things as clear indicators that Odysseus alone holds the title of “tragic hero” within the Odyssey.
In Homer’s the Odyssey, Odysseus has many different qualities that classify him as a hero. He is brave and courageous as shown when he murdered all the suitors who were disrespecting his property even though he was outmanned by them. Despite this, he is by no means all brawn and no brain as he shows his intelligence and cunning numerous times during the epic. A few example of this would be when he was able to blind the one-eyed Cyclops while the rest of his crew didn’t know what to do. Odysseus in many ways is similar to a flowing river, because whenever there is a problem (dam in the river), he would first try to go through it, but if he can’t he would then find a way ar...
Although many of Odysseus’s characteristics are those that many people strive for, his overconfidence is one flaw in him that many people should learn from. In almost every story in the Odyssey, the reader gets yet another example of Odysseus’s pride. Whether it is insulting a God, making fun of a dangerous monster, or asking other men to write poems about him while he is in disguise, the reader realizes that Odysseus is, in fact, an overconfident madman, and it is this overconfident madness that hurts Odysseus in the future, and is what causes him much pain and a very treacherous journey home.
When people think of Odysseus, they think of a great, cunning, warrior. Who wouldn’t see him that way, he fought his way through Troy and embarked on a journey back home to see his son and wife again. On the surface Odysseus seems like a genius but in Homer’s, The Odyssey, Odysseus shows many instances where he outwits his foes but his foolishness heavily outweighs his smarts; he becomes boastful after a victory which leads to more hardships, he leaves precious cargo in the open for his brutish crew to mess with, and refuses help from the gods which nearly leads to his demise.
The definition of a hero is unique for every individual; however there are several regulations that majority of individuals can agree on. A hero must exhibit traits such as humility, kindness, and courage. Once the candidate expresses hubris, displays cruelty, or retreats from a formidable challenge, he cannot be considered a hero. Lastly, a hero candidate must overcome challenges that defy the odds. He must deliver a gift to society that benefits society as a whole; such gifts can be freedom, liberty, or hope. Odysseus in The Odyssey, by Homer, fulfilled these requirements and rightfully earned the title of a hero. Odysseus is well deserving of the title hero because he has put the needs of others before his own, shown signs of courage in the face of adversity, and displays humility by ridding himself of his hubris.
Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus earns the title of a true hero by conveying many qualities such as: determination, courage and leadership.
Odysseus’ character is challenged in many ways throughout books 5 through 12. In some instances he holds strong, and in others he fails. His sense of adventure sometimes overwhelms him. The length of time Odysseus spends away from Ithaka also dilutes his desire to return, and possibly dilutes his desire to live. Under certain circumstances, any man can succumb to the evils to which he despises. A perfect example is Akhilleus in the Iliad. He started out an honorable man. With the death of his friend, he turns into a maniac who wants nothing but death for the enemy. Odysseus starts out wanting nothing but to return to his family and his homeland. Over the course of the many years away, this feeling dwindles and he is left with nothing but adventure to prolong his reason for living.
Odysseus was also an epic hero because he had human weaknesses. One of his weaknesses was that he was arrogant. Even after he defeated Polyphemos (the Cyclops) Odysseus stayed longer just so he could taunt him. He “…wanted to shout out again…although [his] comrades…tried to coax [him] not to do it'; (p.110). Odysseus, against his crew’s wishes, shouted, “…Cyclops! if ever a man asks you who put out your ugly eye, tell him your blinder was Odysseus!'; (p.110). Another human weakness of Odysseus was that he had a bad temper. When Eurylochos refused to go back to Circe’s mansion, Odysseus “…thought for a moment that [he] would draw [his] sword and cut off his head…';(p.121). If his men did not stop him, Odysseus probably would have killed Eurylochos and therefore lost a good man because of his short temper. Lust was another weakness of his. For Seven years Odysseus and Circe were lovers. Because he stayed with Circe, Odysseus prolonged his return home to Ithaca. Odysseus had many human weaknesses.
Odysseus is a hero because he acts courageously while facing the many challenges he encounters. Odysseus’s shows great bravery when he engages in physical challenges. Odysseus daringly fights against the suitors, while significantly outnumbered: “For I must tell you this is no affair / of ten or even twice ten men, but scores, throngs of them” (XVI, 291 – 293). Even though Odysseus is facing hundreds of men, his bravery keeps him confident that he can win the battle. Odysseus must use his physical strength when Poseidon punishes him with turbulent waves: “Odysseus’s knees grew slack, his heart / sickened, and he said within himself / Rag of man that I am, is this the end of me?” (V, 307 – 309). Odysseus is exhausted from the torrential sea, yet refuses to give up because of enormous courage and his unwillingness to surrender. Odysseus must also cope with emotional challenges throughout his journey. His emotions are tested when he ventures to the underworld, Hades, and must confront his greatest fear, death: “From every side they came and sought the pit / with rustling cries; and I grew sick with fear. / But presently I gave command to my officers” (XI, 45 -47). Although Odysseus is deeply fearful when he comes face to face with the dead, his mental f...
“Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given,” (1.32-34) is a simple quote reminding us the entities in charge of all characters in the poem The Odyssey – the gods. Hubris, or excessive human pride, is most detested by the gods and likewise is most punishable by them. The Odyssey is a story about Odysseus and Telemachus, two heroes who throughout their adventures meet new people and face death many times. Telemachus goes to find his father after he learns from Athena that he is still alive. The two meet, and Odysseus attempts to go back to Ithaca after he was lost at sea, and on his way there becomes one of the most heroic characters in literature as we know it. Like all heroic characters, Odysseus began to display hubris as he learned how true of a hero he was. James Wyatt Cook, a historian and an expert on The Odyssey, wrote about how hubris can affect the characters that display it. He says, “Because Homer’s Odyssey is essentially comic, that episode [opened wind bag destroys ship] is only one of a series of setbacks Odysseus experiences before reaching his home in Ithaca and recovering his former kingdom and his family. Such, however, is not the case for those who display hubris with tragic outcomes.” (Cook 1) Initially, Odysseus learns about Aias who died as a cause of the excessive pride he portrays. Proteus warns Odysseus when he says, “…and Aias would have escaped doom, though Athena hated him, had he not gone widely mad and tossed outa word of defiance; for he said that in despite of the gods he escaped the great gulf of the sea, and Poseidon heard him…...
As seen throughout The Odyssey, a hero is perceived as a person who achieves great success never before seen and whose legacy lives beyond their years. Since The Odyssey was written around the eighth century BCE, the people that we view as heros in present day tend to embody different traits than the heroes of that time. Even though the word, “hero” does not have one specific definition, a hero is generally categorized as someone who is idolized for their bravery and does anything necessary to defend their people. Although Odysseus embodies the Homeric ideals of heroism in that he accomplishes triumphs that others have not, his successes are the product of divine intervention and his actions were primarily selfish; therefore, he is not a true
Picture this: a hero of great legends who travels to the underworld and back to get directions to his home from a blind prophet. It sounds like quite an impossible journey, but that is exactly what makes Odysseus all the more fascinating. The Odyssey, an epic poem orally transmitted by Homer, a Greek poet who wrote The Iliad, had to contain some variety of attributes that Greeks valued in a person. That one embodiment of what the Greeks found intriguing in a character is Odysseus. Odysseus is known as what is called an epic hero. An epic hero is a protagonist of a story that represents the most important attributes of a civilization. Odysseus, being based in ancient Greece, is the embodiment of intelligence, loyalty, and strength.
The main character of the Odyssey, Odysseus the King of Ithaca is given a complex personality to an extent where it is hard to identify whether he is a true hero or not. True heroism is only achieved when a person achieves certain qualities that portray heroism. Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle because of his actions of sacrificing his men, killing the suitors and being ruthless throughout the Odyssey. Along with many others qualities these three are helpful and necessary in a hero. A hero must be willing to do service for others and put the needs of others safety and protection before his own. Odysseus does not even come close to matching these qualities because he is a person, who only serves of himself, and he sacrifices his allies to achieve his goals and often he takes action ruthlessly.
The idea of a true hero is varied from person to person, because each viewpoint has a different idea of the personality that makes one a hero. There have been many fiction and non-fiction heroes that show different character traits, which influence people’s definitions of a hero. However, each person’s unique thought about a hero still focuses about one central idea: a hero must prove himself in order to earn his heroic status. This is the cornerstone of all the opinions about heroes because heroes have to show their heroism in order to become who they are in the end. At the beginning they are inexperienced, ordinary people who go on their adventures, and face their fears and weaknesses, but they develop greatly throughout these journeys. After comprehending what true heroism is and following it only then will they become heroes even though each of them has different traits. In the epic poem The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus gains the title of hero during his journey back to Ithaka, from Troy, by proving to be one. It is through his characteristics and experiences that he becomes the well developed man at the end of the book. In truth, because of his confidence, loyalty, and difficult struggles, Odysseus becomes a genuine hero to the people he defended.
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 fact, every feature in the definition of the tragic hero can be applied to the character of Oedipus. First, he is a good man. He made a virtuous service to Thebes and save the city by solving the riddle of Sphinx. In addition, he is good king and he can feel the suffering of his people because of the plague. He tells them "each one of you is enclosed to himself" he tells them that his suffering is greater than ...