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The odyssey of homer essay
The epic hero the odyssey
Epic hero the odyssey
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The Odyssey, an epic, was written by Homer, a renowned Greek epic poet. The prequel to this book is The Iliad and leads off with the end of the Siege of Troy and the disappearance of Odysseus.
The Odyssey is set in a time ten years since the fall of Troy in the kingdom of Ithaca, a dark time where the missing hero Odysseus is still nowhere to be seen. Told in the perspective of his beloved son, the plot outlines the search for Odysseus. Telemachus, the son, finds himself faced with numerous hardships, and mischievous plots throughout his adventure. Starting with the suitors of his mother, Penelope; and the acquaintance with Athena, Telemachus is whisked through divine rule, divine kindness and trickery of devil’s pride.
The search continues, with no end in sight, what will Telemachus do with only a deadline in sight?
Retell
What is the genre of this book?
The genre of The Odyssey lies between its lines while also influenced by the poetic structure. It is proven that this composition is written as the genre “epic”, a genre of poetry where the theme of grandeur and heroism is expressed keenly through poetic, not necessarily yet optional, rhyme words. Unlike a long poem, the epic takes the form of a narrative, when examined through plot structure, with a typical beginning, middle, and end along with rising action, climax, and conclusion.
Nowadays, there are various forms of “epic” works such as epic theatre, film, music, play, television show, and video game; in contrast to the “epic” of the time of Homer (8th century B.C.) where the poem can only be classified as “epic poem”, the influences and likings of humankind has prospered the literature world.
Although, the purpose of this text was to fit such description as the “epic poem”, ...
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...gh also trying to interpret as many words as possible through the complex sentence structure of translated old Greek. This took a ginormous amount of effort, yet it was very well worth it in the end as the story gave me new perspectives on writing, books, literature and the many adventures that might come from life.
Finally, I have questioning as a metacognitive skill. This skill defines as asking questions. Simple. Not really actually, If you ask deeper level, more thoughtful questions, predictions, and observations; questioning suddenly becomes extremely difficult. Throughout the text, I questioned on the survival of Odysseus, through his many hardships and adventures. I also questioned the mental wellbeing of Odysseus’s wife Penelope, and also the safety of Telemachus and his crew. In the end, all was well and the journey was accomplished with no major harm done.
The Odyssey, by Homer, has withstood the test of time. For centuries, The Odyssey has been read to be studied, and also read to be enjoyed. This great book can be acknowledged as superior art for multiple reasons; The Odyssey is written with superior craftsmanship, it perfectly exhibits Greek literary tradition, and it holds pleasing aesthetic value. However, perhaps the principal criteria that this book meets for being superior art is that it explores numerous complexities of human nature. The first people that read The Odyssey, and the countless individuals that have poured over it in modern days can benefit from reading this inexhaustible epic because it delves into fascinating truths about humanity including family relationships, pride,
In “ The Odyssey ” by homer Odysseus goes on a journey to get home after twenty years the trojan war. The “ Hero’s Journey “ by Joseph Campbell represents the journey the hero's take on their journey as a hole in the story. The main parts of most stories include twelve parts to the hero's journey and some additional points.. The three parts of the hero's journey supernatural aid, test and supreme ordeal , and reward and journey home. These are some of the most important parts of the odyssey.
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.
Although Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, is thought to revolve around Odysseus’s adventures, the first four books solely revolve around his son, Telemachus, and his coming of age story. Within Books I-IV, Telemachus displays character progression that is characterized by the celestial work of Athena as Athena encourages Telemachus to break free of his stagnant behavioral pattern, and fulfill the heroic mold left behind by his father. This is shown through the immediate change in confidence Telemachus displays after his first interaction with the goddess, and the commitment to his journey overseas.
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.
Over the centuries, many epics have been told, as to inspire us all and provide entertainment. However, there are none as befitting to be the greatest epic as Homer's the Odyssey. It is one of the oldest, but also one of the greatest ever told. Over the years there have been many adaptations to the epic, as to mold this ancient story to one we can relate to and is familiar to us. One example, which I will discuss, would be the Cohen Brothers' 'O'Brother, Where Art Thou?', which is a story about 3 men who are trying to find a treasure after breaking out of prison. I will compare the text with the adaptation, and contrast each one's differences.
Even though the Aeneid shares many features with the Homeric epic, as an epic it is diverse in significant ways. For this motive, the Aeneid is denoted to as a literary or else secondary epic so as to distinguish it from primeval or primary epics like the Homeric poems. The word "primitive", "primary" besides "secondary" should not be understood as value verdicts, but simply as signs that the inventive character of the epic was improvisational in addition to oral, though that of the Aeneid, collected later in the epic tradition, was fundamentally non-oral and fashioned with the benefit of writing. As realized, the Homeric poems offer substantiation of improvisational methods of composition concerning the usage of numerous formulas (Ranković, Slavica, Melve, and Mundal 6). This form of composition is appropriate to the demands of creativeness before an audience which do not tolerate the poet interval to generate new ways of voicing several thoughts. So to preserve his recital going he must hang stock phrases, which are deliberate to fill out innumerable rations of the dactylic hexameter line. Conversely, Vergil, composing in isolation, perceptibly spent abundant time on crafting his own individual poetic linguistic. As a result in reading the Aeneid one will be able to realize the absence of the persistent repetition of formularies, which are redundant in a literary or secondary epic ( Fleming, Daniel, Sara and Milstein 8). Literary works are separated into various groupings called genres in harmony with their distinguishing form and context. The Iliad fits to the genre of epic. An epic is a lengthy poem which tells a story concerning gods, heroes and heroic deeds. Since the epic is by its self-same nature extensive, it tends to be somewhat loosely prearranged. Not every chapter is unquestionably obligatory to the main story and departures from the subject are not unusual. It is significant to notice how diverse in this regard is the genre of drama, in which every single episode tends to be indispensable to the plot and departure from the subject are incongruous (Presnell and Jenny 3).
Homer’s epic, the Odyssey, is a heroic narrative that follows the adventures of Odysseus, the powerful King of Ithaca. The main story involves Odysseus’s return journey to his homeland after the Trojan War. However, Homer skips around in the action periodically to give the reader a better understanding and interest in what is going on in the epic. Homer takes his audience from the present action involving Telemakhos’ search for news of his father’s return, to the past where Odysseus tells the Phaiakians of his tragic journey home after the war. The events in Homer’s epic are not in order but still prove more effective at guiding the reader through the narrative. Although the events in the Odyssey are not in chronological order, the story line is enriched by Homer’s use of the in media res method because it introduces characters that were not involved in Odysseus’ adventure, because it shows the urgency of Odysseus’ return to his kingdom, and because it allows the reader to become more interested in the opening chapters without having to wait for a climax in the action.
Since the beginning of time, people have traveled to interesting places learning new information and gaining knowledge about foreign cultures. They have encountered unexpected predicaments obtaining more experience, knowledge, and maturity from the difficulties they faced. As this frequently occurs in real life and art often mirrors life, these same situations are commonly featured in literature. One such piece of literature is the epic entitled The Odyssey, which was written by the Greek minstrel Homer. In the work, the story of Odysseus who is the king of Ithaca and his son Telemachus is illustrated. To learn more about his absent father, Telemachus goes on a journey. On his travels, Odysseus encounters many different situations and people
Although both epics justify a status quo, codify a national mythology, preserve cultural memories, and establish literary tropes, they are united by sensibility and are traditionally poetic. They both almost have the same exact core values such as in the end, but project influence into a number to areas of cultural identity. Once more, after analyzing both texts, it is possible to conclude that Aeneas is the better leader, and The Odyssey is the greater epic. Knowing that this is the proper proposition made, this affects the readers of both well-known stories.
As Telemachus plans their execution, Homer uses an epithet with a positive connotation to describe him: "Then the thoughtful Telemachus spoke." (Homer 342). The use of "thoughtful" implies that Telemachus is being obedient to his father's requests and that he shows meticulousness and diligence. This passage shows Telemachus' command and heroism, and that he knows right from wrong—knowledge that allows him to rightfully punish the maids for their supposed infidelity: he is putting them into their place. Thus, from an Ancient Greek standpoint, Telemachus and his father are simply doing what needs to be done: reinstating integrity in social order by making
Many epics, while centered on great heroes facing many obstacles, concern themselves with tales of human nature. In literary terminology, Stephen Greeenblatt defines the epic genre as “an extended narrative poem celebrating martial heroes, invoking divine inspiration, beginning in medias res, written in high style, and divided into long narrative sequences” (A15). Applying this formula, there is no question in defining “Beowulf” as an epic about human nature, but this definition can also apply to “The Dream of the Rood”—albeit in a different way.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both are held in high respect by literature analysts and historians alike for the characterization of the hero and his companion, the imagery brought to mind when one of them is read, and the impressive length in relation to the time period it was written in. The similarities that these two epics share do not end with only those three; in fact, the comparability of these works extend to even the information on the author and the archetypes used. However, The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh contrast from one another in their writing styles, character details, and main ideas. Both epics weave together a story of a lost man who must find his way, but the path of their stories contrast from one another.
“The Odyssey” is an epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus and the story of his many travels and adventures. The Odyssey tells the main character’s tale of his journey home to the island of Ithaca after spending ten years fighting in the Trojan War, and his adventures when he returns home and he is reunited with his family and close friends. This literary analysis will examine the story and its characters, relationships, major events, symbols and motifs, and literary devices.
The Odyssey narrates the epic journey of Odysseus to get back home. The story is divided in 24 books that starts with the current situation in Ithaca among Telemachus, Penelope and their concern about whether the king of Ithaca is alive or dead, 10 years after the fall of Troy.