The Character Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey

1048 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Odyssey odysseus and telemachus

The Character Odysseus in Odyssey "Odyssey" is an epic story that has been a significant piece of literature since it was first composed and will remain so for ages to come. One of the reasons it has been so is because of the hero, Odysseus. Odysseus is one of the first Greek mythic heroes renowned for his brain as well as his muscle. Indeed he is a man with an inquiring mind, and he is also a man with outstanding prowess and bravery" (123helpme.com/assets/3603.html). "We also must not forget that he is a top-notch athlete which only adds more to this seemingly insuperable character. It is no wonder why many scholars refer to Odysseus as a powerful mythic hero. "Odysseus often hesitates before acting, because he uses his reason and gift to evaluate things. This patience is one of his most important additional attributes"(library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/Odyssey/odysseus.html). It saved him and his men many times. "When the poem opens, it is the tenth year since the fall of Troy, and Odysseus has not yet returned to his home in the island of Ithaca, but is detained in Ogygia, an island in the west, by the nymph Calypso" (bartleby.com/22/1001.html Homer (fl. 850 B.C.). The Odyssey. The Harvard Classics. 1909-14). "In disguise as an old friend of Odysseus', Athena travels to his manor in Ithaka, now overrun with noisy, lustful suitor's intent on marrying Odysseus' wife, Penelope. Odysseus' son, Telemakhos, unhappy among the suitors, greets Athena warmly as a stranger and invites her to their feast. As the suitors devour Odysseus' oxen, Telemakhos says he believes his father - whom he does not know at all - is dead."(gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/odyssey/summ1.html). "He is so unsure of his own identity that he refuses to affirm without qualification his relationship to Odysseus. Athena introduces herself as Odysseus' old friend Mentes and predicts that he will be home soon. Telemakhos matures from a callow, helpless youth into a stronger, more confident man" (Approaches to Teaching Homer's Iliad and Odyssey ). "Just as Odysseus' story is about returning home to his old identity, Telemakhos' is about forging a new one; as Athena tells him, "You are a child no longer"."(gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Titles/odyssey/summ1.html). As Telemakhos' develops from youth to man inspired by Athena, especially her favorable comparisons between him and his father; he stands up against the suitors in his assembly. "Failing in an attempt to get the Ithacans to help him to assert his rights, Telemakhos sets out for Pylus under the guidance of the goddess Athena, who is disguised as Mentes, a friendly chief.

Show More
Related

  • Comparing the Hero in Homer’s The Odyssey with the Modern Hero Described in Whitman’s I hear America Singing

    648 Words  | 2 Pages

    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...

    Read More

  • 'The Odyssey And' O Brother, Where Art Thou?

    1413 Words  | 3 Pages

    “The Odyssey” is an epic written by Homer between 750 and 650 B.C. It is the tale of the main hero’s, Odysseus’s, journey home to Ithaca from Troy. It takes place after the Trojan War and is the sequel to “The Iliad.” Odysseus and his men set sail from Troy and come across the lair of the lotus eaters. After escaping, they run into the cyclops,

    Read More

  • Is Odysseus A Hero? in the Poem The Odyssey by Homer

    662 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are numerous heroes throughout “The Odyssey,” but none of them are as significant as Odysseus. “The Odyssey” is a narrative poem written by Homer (around 800 and 600 BCE) to show the numerous adventures and experiences Odysseus goes through. Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus a prominent Greek epic hero is on a quest to return back to his home in Ithaca; to his wife Penelope, and his son Telemachus. Just like real life, not all heroes are picture-perfect; they all have imperfections. In this case, Odysseus is sometimes insolent, and discourteous; but he is still considered an epic hero because of the many heroic qualities he endures. Odysseus proves himself to be an outstanding hero in various ways such as showing loyalty, intelligence, bravery, strength, and courage which are all some of the most momentous qualities found in a hero. If a true hero can prove they are a true hero, makes them a true hero.

    Read More

  • Coming of Age in Homer's the Odyssey

    789 Words  | 2 Pages

    Identity is a theme that runs strongly throughout The Odyssey. While much of Homer's work is devoted to Odysseus' journey, an examination of his son Telemakhos provides an excellent example of character development. From the anxious and unconfident young man to which Book I opens to the courageous exactor of his father's estate, Telemakhos undergoes notable emotional maturation. The spiritual journey illustrated by Telemakhos, through his own personal odyssey, provides strong evidence that the epic is, indeed, about identity.

    Read More

  • The Relationship of a Father and Son in Homer's Odyssey

    754 Words  | 2 Pages

    Early on in both of their stories, Odysseus and Telemachus learn to practice strong will in initiating their own journeys. Even though Telemachus reaches the cusp of his childhood, the individuals around him plague him into believing he remains a boy. In the Odyssey, gods are considered to control vast things such as fate or choose to intrude in the lives of mortals. One of these goddesses, Athena, desires to aid both Odysseus and Telemachus in their journeys. In disguise, she gives Telemachus inspiration to initiate the steps to adulthood by saying, “you’ll never be fainthearted or a fool, /Telemachus, if you have your father’s spirit; /he finished what he cared to say,” (Homer 27). With this he commences the hardship of finding his father by immediately calling an assembly and defying the men around him who thought him incapable. Meanwhile, Odysseus has already faced trials testing his determination. He evades the many temptations of immortals su...

    Read More

  • Valuing The Mind Over Physical Strength In Homer's Odyssey

    976 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Homer’s poem The Odyssey, the theme of valuing the power of the mind over physical strength is prevalent. Throughout the course of the poem, the hero Odysseus uses his intelligence and clever-thinking to navigate the obstacles he faces as opposed to facing them brute fighting and strength. At many points in the story, Odysseus demonstrates that the power of one’s own creativity and wit can be more beneficial than using uncalculated fighting when faced with difficult situations. Although the character is more than capable of using his physical strength to combat opponents, instead he uses his own mind and cleverness to face opposing forces.

    Read More

  • The Odyssey

    537 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Odyssey is a tale that has changed literature and storytelling. In this tale Odysseus is a Soldier from the battle of Troy trying to get home to his island of Ithaca, where he is king. His wife and son must wait ten years while he is trying to make his way home. In Odysseus’s absence wooer’s, or better known as suitors, learn of his absence and travel to Ithaca to win his wife’s hand in marriage. These men come every day feasting on Odysseus’s food and wine, and give his servant’s orders. His son Telemachus, does his best to keep the suitors from ruining his fathers house but he is only a boy, and doesn’t receive the respect of an adult. Telemachus then has a visit from the god Athena, whom Odysseus is friends with, who advises him to travel to find out about his father. In his travels he hears that Odysseus may still be alive. Meanwhile Odysseus goes through a series of adventures and hardships that prove his wisdom. It is interesting in contrast of the Iliad, even though Achilles was much stronger and a better warrior, Odysseus was portrayed as a greater hero due to his wisdom. He uses this wisdom to escape from the Cyclops.

    Read More

  • Nursing Student Mayra Case Study

    1507 Words  | 4 Pages

    What is a team leader? Who is a leader? Is it someone who takes charge or is it someone who has followers, a person who gives guidance or direction? Is a leader someone who takes action when necessary? These are all traits that leaders possess. In this paper we will address and identify the nursing student Mayra’s leadership style along with any changes that she would make to that style. We will also cover the leadership style of the distinguished Nurse Loretta C. Ford, along with a brief summary of her successes, challenges and the legacy that she has left in nursing.

    Read More

  • The Role of the Gods in the Odyssey

    1194 Words  | 3 Pages

    middle of paper ... ... In Homer’s Odyssey, both Odysseus and his son Telemachus embark on long, difficult journeys; Odysseus trying to return from Troy to his home in Ithaca, escaping Calypso and the island of Ogygia, and Telemachus from Ithaca to Pylos and Sparta in search of his lost father. While The Odyssey tells of the courage both men demonstrate during their respective travels, their quests are the results of the intentions and desires of gods. Odysseus is trapped in exile on Ogygia by the will of Poseidon, whose anger Odysseus attracts when he blinds the Cyclops Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, and by the love of Calypso, who wishes to make Odysseus her husband.

    Read More

  • Female Role In The Odyssey

    1080 Words  | 3 Pages

    She later sparks a flame inside of Telemachus to embark on his journey to find his father. At the first destination Telemachus arrives at, Athena appears once again in the court of King Nestor. She appears in the form of an eagle to represent that she is beside Telemachus in his righteous journey to find his father. When hearing of her son’s departure, Penelope becomes extremely distraught. In an attempt to reassure and comfort her, Athena appears as a “glimmering phantom” and says these comforting words, “Take heart, and don’t be so afraid. The guide who goes with him is one many men pray for to stand at their side, a powerful ally- Pallas Athena. And she pities you in your grief, for it is she who sent me to tell you this” (Homer 342). There are many motivators for Athena in The Odyssey. Some could argue she relates with Penelope, and provides protection for her household throughout the years. Others may say she is enamored with Odysseus because of their relating character traits. Athena basically takes on the motherly role of watching over both Telemachus and Odysseus. She monitors both of the men’s journeys, and allows them to go through tribulations in order to grow emotionally and spiritually. Brian Lower a literature professor from Union College wrote,” Athena allows Odysseus to experience the storm, but not die. She knows that it will make him stronger for it. There is an

    Read More

  • Mount Nittany Medical Center External Experience Essay

    3178 Words  | 7 Pages

    Over sixteen hours, I participated in an external experience for Nursing Leadership and Management in Practice while attending Lock Haven University. I was assigned to choose a facility and an individual to observe and monitor their leadership qualities, style and concepts. During this external experience there were multiple interviews and discussions performed. Observation of several staff members and research was done to fulfill this assignment.

    Read More

  • Telemachus: A Character Analysis

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    The reader first finds the character of Telemachus sitting among the suitors in his father’s palace. This seemingly unimportant detail yields information regarding his temperament. The suitors, whom Homer portrays as malicious usurpers, continue to take advantage of Telemachus’ hospitality. Instead of defending his home, his mother, and his belongings from these men, Telemachus numbers among them. This lack of assertiveness displays his frailty and his helplessness given the overwhelming circumstances. At this point, Athena, disguised as Odysseus’ old friend Mentes, visits Telemachus in order to “inspire his heart with courage” (I.105). The two share a meal and engage in a lengthy conversation. The goddess discusses how Telemachus should handle the troublesome suitors and suggests a journey to try to ascertain the whereabouts of Odysseus. The conversation appears to immediately galvanize the young man’s resolve. In fact, immediately after her departure, he summons the courage to confront the suitors, demanding that they are to leave his house at once. The assertiveness that Telemachus displays in this instance is a dramatic departure from ...

    Read More

  • Loyalty In Homer's The Odyssey

    429 Words  | 1 Pages

    Page after page, Homer's "The Odyssey," written in the time era of 750 BC, tells the story of love, sacrifice, courage, and a long journey ahead of one man. Odysseus, King of Ithaca, has since completely his quest of conquering Troy and is now on his way back home after being gone for over 20 years. With help from the other gods, Odysseus slowly but surely finds his way back to where he belongs. In the poem, The Odyssey, Homer is not depicting Odysseus' journey, but rather, the effects of loyalty.

    Read More

  • What Are Odysseus's Actions

    499 Words  | 1 Pages

    Odysseus is looked at as a mighty hero, but the backbone of his bravery and wits comes from Athena. Throughout Odysseus’s journeys, he encounters many riches, good fortunes, and women. These good fortunes were results of Athena interfering with Odysseus’s life. Homer creates a magnificent strong hero, but without the help of other characters Odysseus wouldn’t be where he is at now. Athena is the true reason that Odysseus succeeds, because she is protective, powerful, and smart, as her actions prove.

    Read More

  • What Is Athena's Role In The Odyssey

    1334 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Odyssey, composed by the enigmatic poet Homer, depicts the journey of a man named Odysseus and his struggles to reach his home of Ithaca after fighting in the Trojan War around 1200 BCE. This epic begins with the narrator explaining how Odysseus has not returned home because the goddess Calypso fell in love with him and keeps him captive. The goddess Athena pities Odysseus and Zeus allows her to go to Ithaca to see Telemachus, Odysseus’s son. At Ithaca, Telemachus is overwhelmed by the rude suitors that are attempting to marry Penelope, wife of Odysseus and mother of Telemachus. Athena arrives at Ithaca disguised as an old friend of Odysseus and persuades Telemachus to visit Pylos and Sparta to obtain information on his father and during

    Read More

More about The Character Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey

Open Document