The Importance of a Sound Mind and Body in Homer's Odyssey
If one were to only have a very fit and strong body, lacking mental ability,
to the Greeks it would not suffice. If a man were merely smart and intelligent,
without much physical capability, the Greeks would feel that he is not complete.
They believed an individual must have have both, a well developed mind and a fit
body, not only one or the other, to be ideal. This is the Greek concept of a
sound mind and body. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus and Telemachos, had to have
and/or achieve a sound mind and body, to be the successful and outstanding
characters of the epic. The ones who lacked these quality suffered and paid for
it in the end.
In Books one and two, Telemachos acts immaturely and lacks mental
prowess. For this reason he makes his life difficult. Yet, Later on he matures
and gains a sound mind. Telemachos certainly has a sound body. Menelaos says of
how "...it amazes me quite, how this young man(Telemachos) looks exactly like
Odysseus, strong and mighty"{page 47}. Yet, he is criticized by others, for the
reason that he does not have a sound mind. In an attempt to stand his ground, in
front of the council he breaks down into tears. Antinoos says "Telemachos you
are a boaster, and you don't know how to keep your temper!"{page 24}. Telemachos
made an attempt to express his valid point of view, and does so, but fails to
convince the council. He breaks down in tears, showing how immature he really is.
He does not have a sound mind. The council basked in this weakness and was even
more critical of him at that point. Later on, he is told of how "(Tele...
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...the other-hand, the ones that lacked either a
sound mind or body, failed. Odysseus and Telemachos were able to find each other
and win back their home, while the suitors and even Achilles were robbed of
their lives. It is a fact that a sound mind and body were an essential ideal in
the ancient Greek society and The Odyssey.
Works Cited and Consulted
Crane, Gregory , Calypso: Backgrounds and Conventions of the Odyssey, Frankfurt, Athenaeum 1988
Heubeck, Alfred, J.B. Hainsworth, et al. A commentary on Homer's Odyssey. 3 Vols. Oxford PA4167 .H4813 1988
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Rengakos, Antonios. Homertext und die Hellenistichen Dichter. Hermes. Einzelschriften, Heft 64. Stuttgart, F. Steiner, 1993.
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may be able to get more money. He also thinks that he is always right
Rengakos, Antonios. Homertext und die Hellenistichen Dichter. Hermes. Einzelschriften, Heft 64. Stuttgart, F. Steiner, 1993.
The meaning of eudaimonia, etymologically, is ‘good spirit’ and it is generally translated as ‘happiness’; in Aristotelian terms, ‘happiness’ represents the highest human good and it is also the representation of the soul’s virtues. The identification of the soul parts as the contributors and main elements for the function of the most important human activity (reasoning), marks the inevitable psychological asset of Aristotle’s thinking; specifically, the classification of human virtues derives from the analysis of the soul’s types, attributing to human beings the ability of reasoning which distinguishes human beings from the rest of ‘natural bodies.’ Indeed, reason exists in two parts of the soul, namely the rational and the appetitive (desires or passions), and so it expresses within two different virtues, the moral and intellectual ones.
Lawall, Sarah N. “The Odyssey.” The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. 8th ed. Vol. 1. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006. 206-495. Print.
Heubeck, Alfred, J.B. Hainsworth, et al. A commentary on Homer's Odyssey. 3 Vols. Oxford PA4167 .H4813 1988
Homer. ?The Odyssey,? World Masterpieces: Expanded Edition. Maynard Mack ed. Ed. Coptic St.: Prentice, 1995.
Homer. The Illiad. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces: Expanded Edition?Volume I. ed. by Maynard Mack. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1995.
Clarke, Howard. Homer's Readers: A Historical Introduction to the Iliad and the Odyssey. Newark, Del.: University of Delaware Press, 1981.
The Odyssey is filled with emotion and adventure. Homer’s ability to show and give the reader a visual of each and every scene gives the story its unbelievable significance. To all the people who read his work there is something to be captured within every sentence, each one different in its own, unique way. Through tales of courage and defeat, friendship and love this book tells of all the values within the life of a single, solitary man, and his journey to attain what is true and dear to him. And this journey is known to all of us as The Odyssey. The Odyssey is a test of human devotion and trust through the gods, the mortals, and the obstacles through which they venture. No matter where they go or what they do, humans are tested for certain characteristics everyday of their lives, whether they realize it or not; and The Odyssey is just one of those many miraculous tests.
Human beings are confronted with numerous issues throughout his or her lifetime that would require him or her to examine the best action to take to avoid the damaging consequences. In most cases, individuals restrain his or her action to take into consideration the consequences that may lead to the right or wrong behavior. One’s ethical and moral standards are first learned at an early age from his or her culture, how he or she is raised, religious background, and social system. Scientifically, there are various ethical theories, such as the virtue theory, deontological ethics, and utilitarianism (Boylan, 2009). By understanding these theories one can compare, contrast and uncover the reasoning behind his or her ethical and moral standards.
Homer, and Robert Fitzgerald. "The Odyssey." Prentice Hall Literature: Language and Literacy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2010. 1044-114. Print.