...COLLEGE LAS PIÑAS 3F AC and Sons Building, Alabang Road, Almanza Las Piñas City REACTION PAPER ABOUT THE ODYSSEY Submitted to: Cherry Lou Infante Submitted by: Ysidro Ged A. Seradilla In The Odyssey by Homer there are many important themes that are also reflected in many movies of today’s time. One of them is that the idea of fate may feel very uncomfortable. The fact that people have no control over their lives can make them very uneasy about life. Another theme is that great heroes are created by the noble deeds that they do. And yet another theme is that patience is something that must be learned over time, usually by some type of suffering. Patience is a virtue that must be learned, usually through suffering. Odysseus had to patiently suffer through 20 long years of struggling to get back to his family, which only strengthened his patience because he knew he would get back some day. Great heroes are made great by noble deeds of mind, body, and spirit. Odysseus was a very noble man, defined only by the seemingly endless amount of noble deeds he had done throughout his quest. Human beings are frequently alienated from god and have no control over the fate that befalls them but they do have control over their own reactions to the events of their lives. The lessons in life are learned by choice or the experiences of others. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, life applications are implied through the different adventurous journeys of Odysseus, the protagonist. These...
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...Penelope: The Strongest of All Although Homer’s The Odyssey portrays the brave adventures of Odysseus, his wife, Penelope is a brave and clever hero in her own patient and loyal ways. Like Odysseus, Penelope keeps her cool in scary situations, and uses her bravery and wits to find a way out of it. When the suitors invaded her own home during Odysseus’s disappearance, Penelope kept her bravery and outsmarted them multiple times. They all wanted to steal Odysseus's life in his kingdom along with his wife, but they didn't know that she was stronger than they thought. Penelope tricked them by promising them that she would choose one of them to marry once she had finished Odysseus's death shroud, but what they didn't know was that...
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...Cassandra Jackson Humanities Dr. Mathew Roberts August 15, 2013 The Comparison of Qualities of the Protagonist in Odyssey by Homer and Medea by Euripedes The comparison of Medea by Euripedes and Odyssey by Homer show many similarities as well as differences. Let’s begin with the character of Medea. After reading Medea by Euripedes the character of Medea shows that she was a barbarian by nature, and she was considered a foreigner. Medea states that “I am the mother of your children, wither can I fly, since all Greece hates the barbarian ( www.theatre history.com). Medea tells this to Jason after the king tells her she must leave his kingdom. She was a beautiful intelligent woman, but she was a woman scorned. She displayed a woman who could not accept rejection, or by no means could she forgive. Medea was a mother, a lover a wife. She also was a loyal person. She displayed this by no matter what it took to help Jason, she took all necessary steps to fulfill her wishes so that she would be able to be with him. You ask yourself was Medea this way before Jason, yes I believe she was. This goes back to the fact that she really was a barbarian in a foreign land. In this story I came to the conclusion that Medea actions showed a woman who was truly mad. She was not aware of the cruel and barbaric actions she took out on people she knew and love. I felt this...
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...In Homer’s The Odyssey, the author tells us of a magnificent story of lust, deceit, greed, and heroism. The Odyssey is a display of a journey of determination, willpower, patience, and virtue. The author tells the tale of Odysseus, on his voyage home to Ithaka. This is happening after the end of the Trojan War. Odysseus, the main character, goes through a series of many unforeseen trials and tribulations in this exemplary journey. This exemplifies his character and displays him as a hero in the eyes of the audience. During these different happenings, Odysseus makes decisions that do not correspond to his character. Odysseus is displayed as not only a hero but also as a good leader to his men. Throughout all their trials such as the Sirens, Polyphemus (the cyclops), and the enchantress Circe, Odysseus is displayed as clever, patient, cunning, and fearless. Odysseus made decisions not only for himself but also for his men as well. For example, he did not leave his men on the island of the Lotus Eaters when they clearly had no desire to go back to Ithaca; he knotted them onto the boat and left the island. He was determined to get home with as many of his men as he possibly could, though they repeatedly disobeyed him. Odysseus is one of history's greatest leaders and this is a vital part of what makes him such an epic hero Another characteristic that stand out and makes Odysseus a hero is his ability to overcome his obstacles in order to reach his goal. Odysseus is faced by many...
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...More than a Cape When imagining a hero one may think of the stereotypical superman, batman, or occasional underdog. The vision of a hero can be exceptionally diverse in varying countries, cultures, and individuals. If you break down the definition of a hero the words courageous, gallant, and godlike are most likely predictable. But in Joel Skidmore’s, The Odyssey, Odysseus proves there are more qualities far greater than bravery needed to be a true hero. When reading Chinua Achebe’s, Things Fall Apart, it is proven vastly Okonkwo does not contain love, respect, or patience for anyone. He makes himself incapable to show emotion due to the fear of weakness. Odysseus in comparison, loves wholeheartedly and without the fear of judgement. In fact...
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...Have you ever read a superhero book? The superhero is always a strong guy with big muscles right? Well I think in Homer’s the Odyssey, Penelope is the true hero. She is the true hero because, she waits 20 years for Odysseus, she tricks her suitors into thinking she’s doing a blanket for about two months, and she makes a challenge to string a bow and arrow, and shoot it through 12 axes. One of the reasons I think Penelope is a hero is because for 20 years she waits for Odysseus dealing with intense sadness and depression, my reasoning behind this is that from the book Eumaeus the Swineherd said, “Always with her the wretched nights and days also waste her away with her weeping.” Another example that she deals with sadness and depression is that after her father left, her own son, Telemachos, sea sets sail to find his father without telling her. For a while she lost both the men she loves so dearly. The last example of her going through her depression is that at one point she prayed to the god Artemis, asking him why he just doesn’t take her life right now. That is one of the reasons I think she a hero....
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...Father-Son Relationship in The Odyssey The Odyssey introduces the theme of father-son relationships to exemplify how influential fathers were at the time. Fathers act as role models to their sons and can determine their actions even if there is a physical and psychological space and difference between them, like Odysseus and Telemachus. The reader is able to gain greater insight into the nature of ancient Greek society by analysing these father-son relationships for their complexities and circumstances of their familial ties. With each father-son relationship shown, Homer offers a unique perspective about the roles that were available to both father and son. Book 1-4 Throughout the Telemachia, we learn that Telemachus has been forced to grow up without the influence of his father and has been directly affected by Odysseus’ absence. When he confides in Athena under the guise of Mentor, he proclaims that he does not have solid proof that he is in fact Odysseus’s son and doubts that he is still alive. However, the dialogue between both Athena and Telemachus initiates Telemachus’ spiritual development. So, when the pre-economy of Odysseus and Telemachus re-uniting is fulfilled – Telemachus will be in the position to assist his father in killing the suitors and to restore the natural order in the Ithacan society. Telemachus first asserts his male privilege by ordering Penelope from the public rooms of the palace, indicating to the suitors of his intention to assert his claim...
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...the rites of passage. Also, the myth goes around in a cycle and is repeated with different social and cultural references throughout the world. Furthermore, Leeming explains that, “the monomyth itself is an expression of the journey of the hero figure, of our journey through physical and psychic life, and of the evolutionary path of humanity to full consciousness” (Leeming). Homer’s use of Joseph Campbell’s monomyth in the Odyssey seen with Odysseus, the hero and main character, provides a great structure throughout the epic in several ways. To begin, the monomyth in the Odyssey can be divided into 11 stages of the hero journey. The first stage that structures Homer’s epic is birth or the ordinary world. Odysseus is born to his father Laertes in Greece under no distinguished ancestry to boast of. Rasovsky stated, As Odysseus grew to be a young boy he showed signs of his talents which included archery (Rasovsky). Going further on with Rasovsky’s findings, Odysseus was intelligent, clever, and exhibited strength through his appearance (Rasovsky). In the Odyssey, Odysseus’s ordinary world is on the peaceful island of Ithaca. Odysseus is the well-loved and respected king of the island. He has a wife, Penelope, whom he is madly in love with. Homer creates the birth and ordinary world of Odysseus to establish a pedigree, meaning how special he is, in order to foreshadow his destiny later on in the epic. The next stage of the monomyth is the call to adventure. Joseph Campbell explained...
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...Odysseus’ Journey: A Path to Redemption In Homer's The Odyssey, the protagonist Odysseus sets off on a 10 year journey to reclaim his throne as king of Ithaca after the Trojan War. Throughout his journey, Odysseus constantly struggles with temptation. Odysseus faces the challenge of overcoming his weaknesses to obtain redemption from the gods. Odysseus' chances of returning home are compromised by his flaws and those of his crew; however, Odysseus possesses the necessary virtues and qualities needed to reclaim his throne. One flaw that dooms Odysseus is hubris. When Odysseus and his crew become trapped in the Cyclops’s cave, Odysseus uses his intelligence and cleverness to escape. After the escape, Odysseus brags and reveals his real name to Polyphemus, yelling from his ship “…if any man…should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus…he gouged out your eye” (Homer 9.558). Polyphemus is enraged and curses Odysseus' name to Poseidon, praying that his father will delay Odysseus’ return. Poseidon curses Odysseus and his men by causing storms and winds to prevent him and his crew from returning home. If Odysseus didn’t let his pride influence him in this instance, he may have returned to Ithaca earlier and saved the lives of many of his men. Another example of Odysseus’ pride compromising the success of the journey was when the crew was facing the Sirens. The Sirens are dangerous sea enchantresses that lead sailors to their deaths through song. Instead of putting...
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...There are many places within Homer's Odyssey that demonstrate various stages of the Joseph Campbell's ideas of the Monomyth. Campbell lists 17 stages in myth or a journey of the story's hero. We will examine the three sections in accordance with our main reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monomyth. The three sections are the separation, the initiation, and the return. The Odyssey contains almost every stage within each section and supports Joseph Campbell's theory of the monomyth. The first section we will examine is "departure" also know as "separation". Five of our stages take place within the departure section. The first stage is known as "The Call to adventure". The Odyssey's hero is Ulysses. Instead of starting his journey before Troy we will focus on the events where our story of the Odyssey begins. This call to adventure is set in chapter 5. After the goddess Athena petitions to her fellow gods for Ulysses return to his home of Ithica they decide to send Mercury the messenger to relay a message to Calypso who has been holding Ulysses captive. He has lived on the island for many years and is forced to sleep with Calypso. After Mercury threatens the wrath of Jove, she gives Ulysses permission and instruction to leave the island. His immediate response is uncertain and fearful. He demonstrates the second phase "refusal of the call" by questioning the release. He seems to believe that her guidance is given in order to mislead him. She reassures him and he sets his mind...
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...Penelope, Epic Heroine During Ancient Greece, when women were seen as property, Penelope, Odysseus’ wife in The Odyssey, stands out as a woman beyond that claim. In Odysseus’ 20 year absence, she reigns over Ithaca, creatively staves off suitors, and raises a son, Telemachus, all while being faithful and devoted to him. Many of these obligations are not unlike what modern women grapple with. However, what sets Penelope apart is that she is accomplishing them at a time when women were seen as property and unable to have reigning duties. "The hero is the man or woman who has been able to battle past his personal and local historical limitations” (Campbell). Because of Penelope’s success in the face of adversity, she is a true heroine. Although inundated with suitors, she maintains her heroic loyalty to Odysseus in his absence. Contrastingly, her cousin, Clytemnestra, is unfaithful to her husband, Agamemnon, while he is fighting the Trojan War alongside Odysseus. Penelope knows that it is not conventional or acceptable to remain unmarried if one’s husband is considered dead, but her deep love and devotion to Odysseus keeps her inventing new means to avoid marrying any of the suitors. Because she is born to a prince and holds the royalty title, and anyone she marries will become King of Ithaca. For that reason, Penelope does not have to fear the same fate as Andromache, Hector’s wife in The Iliad. Hector was of royal blood, but Andromache was not; therefore, upon his...
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...When you think of the word hero what or who do you think of? Do you think of someone who is brave and strong or someone who is a Prima Donna? Well when I think of a hero I think of a nurse, yeah i know what you’re thinking why a nurse. But nurses do more than you would imagine some of the nursing duties include communicating with doctors ,nurses’ and patients.Sometimes it is difficult because hospitals are very busy and chaotic,Another thing nurses’ have to do is take care of patients sometimes it is very difficult to take care of patients. Sometimes the patience can’t walk so you have to change their bed pin or diapers shower,shower them and much more. When and doctor is busy or sick if someone is about to have a baby if there are no doctors...
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...A hero is someone who is a leader, someone who tries to do good for everyone. A hero is a person who always shows courage and tries to have patience with everything they are involved in. A good hero also shows selflessness by putting others first. The author William Golding, in The Lord of The Flies shows Ralph as a hero, one who stands out and has good leadership skills. In The Odyssey, Homer illustrates heroism through the character Odysseus. Odysseus fights until the end and does not give up until he is able to get back to his wife. Heroism is one this Ralph and Odysseus share in common, however Ralph shows the most. Odysseus is one that is easy to give into things that he knows he should not. Odysseus is on the way home to see his wife and son, but he gets off track and lands on the island of the Sea Nymph. The nymph kept seducing Odysseus and he...
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...Throughout the history of human existence, scholars have wondered what characteristics found in ancient literature exemplified in their corresponding ancient societies and how these classical works influenced said cultures. One way to answer these questions is to look at famous literary works and the epic heroes that comprise them. Characteristics of epic heroes such as those found in Beowulf, Gilgamesh, the Iliad, and the Odyssey often reflected traits that were seen as favorable within the societies in which they were written, which, in turn, led to these archetypal heroes greatly impacting surrounding societies. When comparing and contrasting epic heroes such as Beowulf, Gilgamesh, Hector, Achilles, and Odysseus, it becomes evident that...
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...comes. 5. Usually embodies cultural and religious beliefs of the people. 6. Has no superpowers, but is smart, brave and has fears too; which he must overcome to protect his friends, family and / or nation. 7. Can also be a warrior of some sort who performs extra-ordinary tasks that most find difficult. 8. Is also a polished speaker who can address councils of chieftains or elders with eloquence and confidence. Literature is replete with examples of epic heroes. Classical Greek literature in particular has produced some of the most famous epic heroes. The epic hero in Greek literature is best defined in the contrasting characters of Achilles and Odysseus, the principal figures in Homer’s grand epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey, respectively. When Achilles is presented to us in the beginning of The Iliad, we see him as callous and stubborn with an almost child like temper, but his eventual...
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