Freedom and Homecoming in the Odyssey

Freedom In The Odyssey
In this chapter, after Saul had been king of Israel for a few years, he hoped that he would be as truly a king as he looked, but a strange and willful
spirit that led him to turn away from the counsel of the Lord and follow his own way.
On the one hand, obviously, though he was the king of the country, he didn't possess the true power to rule over his country on account of everything
under control of God and of even himself dominated by Him; so he endeavored to escape from the disgusting situation to be himself, indicating the
necessity of liberty, not only for our behaviors but also for our minds. In real life, a person, even a nation, dominated or oppressed for a long time, is
awfully anxious for freedom.
On the other hand, as is known
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Summary Of The Odyssey
Lord Odysseus prayed to the gods that he would find love and mercy among the people he was about to encounter. Athena heard his prayer and
came to him in the form of a young girl so she could lead Odysseus to the house of king Alkinoos after she surrounded him with a protective mist.
The young girl warned Odysseus that he must not stare or be curious because they do not care for strangers in this place. Athena also told Odysseus to
win Queen Arete's condolences because she held great influence in the kingdom. As Odysseus lays eyes on the kingdom he is astounded by its beauty
and greatness. When Odysseus enters the great palace the leaders of Phaiakia are drinking and dining and down the hall Odysseus went unseen until he
reached Arete....show more content...
One maid turned to Odysseus recognizing the work of his tunic and cloak. She suspected it to be her own work. She asked Odysseus who he is and
demanded to know who gave him the clothes. Odysseus then tells her about his encounter with Kalypso and his escape from her island by a boat he
built. He was starving and needed water when he saw her lands shore. When his boat crashed on the shore he saw her daughters and the princess and
asked for help. He tells her that her daughter was generous and gave him the clothes. Alkinoos then offers Odysseus the opportunity to marry his
daughter and tells him if not then he assures him a trip home or wherever he

Essay on Odysseus' Journey Home
During Odysseus' journey back home to Ithaca, him and his crew encountered many evils and troubles. Almost every one of these took at least one
of his men. Scylla is an example of this. This monster took six of Odysseus' men while on the journey home. Nearly ever was it Odysseus' fault. His
men caused most of the problems that haunted them back to Ithaca. His hardships started when he was sent off to fight in the Trojan War. He had to
fight because he had made an oath to Helen's husband that he would always defend her honor. When Paris abducted Helen he was then forced to fight.
After he had fought for Helen and had left, the wind then swept him to the island of the Cicones and fought and lost many men. He survived this
mishap and then...show more content...
They tried to stay quiet but the Cyclopes spotted them and asked what they were doing in his cave. He really didn't care because he snatched two of
his men up, smashed their heads, torn them limb by limb, ate them. Day by day he did this and when the Cyclopes was sleeping, Odysseus told his men
that they needed to find a way to get out of there and so they did. When the Cyclopes awoke, Odysseus offered him some of his wine and he tried it
and begged for more so Odysseus just kept giving it to him drink by drink until he was drunk. The Cyclopes asked Odysseus what his name was
and Odysseus said "Nothing." As soon he asked that, he fell over and slept peacefully. While he was sleeping Odysseus found a large branch and
asked his strongest men to put the tip in the fire and when it was burning red, they shoved the hot part of the stick into the Cyclopes' eye. The
Cyclopes let out a loud roar that woke up his neighbors. They came running and asked if someone was killing him and the Cyclopes answered
"Nothing is killing me!" So his neighbors left without second thought. When the Cyclopes let his herd of sheep out Odysseus and his men clang to
the bottom of the sheep and left the island safely. After suffering from the Cyclopes, Odysseus' ship came to a stop at the land of Aeolia (king of the
winds). Aeolia let him and his men stay on his island for a month so they could recover. Before they left, Aeolia gave Odysseus all the east

The Impact Of Odyssey On My Life
My odyssey has had many different events that have impacted my life, but there is one stage that really sticks out. In April of 2015, my dad
passed in a fire. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with, and I still am. This event has had a lot of impacts on my life, good and bad.
The obvious impact: I lost my dad. It may sound cheesy, but my dad wasn't just my dad, he was literally my best friend. We did everything together.
I spent more time with my dad, either playing football or riding bikes, than I did with all my friends combined. So losing him had a big, long effect
on my life that will last forever. But the silver lining to this event, with me being younger, I instantly have more early on experience than most do when

Odyssey Reflection
The Odyssey
By Homer
The Odyssey by Homer is a thrilling book following Odysseus, a character from Homer's previous book The ILLIAD. It expertly tells of many evens
following the conquest of Troy. The book includes monsters, witches, gods, and a brave warrior that just wants to go home. The book will truly
captivate a reader's interest, and excite them till the very end.
The story begins in Odysseus home land, Ithaca, where his home has been invaded in his absence by suiters' intent on marring his wife and taking
his possessions. His son Telemachus was powerless to defend his father's house from the invaders. He was young and lost but Athena the greek
god of wisdom having petty told him he must leave his home in search of what became of his father. He agreed to Athena's wise words and he
went away to neighboring islands to speak with people that may know what became of his father. At this point the narrative switches to Odysseus
stranded on the island of the witch Calypso. Odysseus had been stuck on that island for years, but one day Athena asked Zeus the ruler of the
Olympian gods to send his messenger Hermes to demand Calypso to release Odysseus. Calypso knowing it unwise to defy Zeus allowed Odysseus
to construct a raft and sail away from the island. Hearing of Odysseus's return home Poseidon god of the sea was angry at Odysseus because of an
event that happened in the past, so Poseidon made sure Odysseus would not make it home. The sea carried Odysseus to

Essay on The Odyssey
The Odyssey
Set in ancient Greece, The Odyssey is about the hero Odysseus' long–awaited return from the Trojan War to his homeland, Ithaca, after ten years of
wandering. The current action of The Odyssey occupies the last six weeks of the ten years, and the narrative includes many places – Olympus, Ithaca,
Pylos,
Pherae, Sparta, Ogygia, and Scheria. In Books 9–12, Odysseus narrates the story of his travels in the years after the fall of Troy, and this narrative
includes other far–flung places, such as the island of the Cyclops. The main action of the poem takes place in Ithaca, after a disguised Odysseus
reaches there in Book 13. In Books 13 to 24, Odysseus is slowly reunited with his family and takes revenge on the...show more content...
His travels in search of his father help him to mature, and, on Odysseus' return, he fulfills his duties, as the son of a hero should. Athene – the goddess
of wisdom and the daughter of Zeus. She is Odysseus' champion amongst the gods, and she aids him and Telemachus throughout the poem, displaying
great tact, intelligence, and cleverness in all her endeavors.
Minor
Nestor – the King of Pylos. He had fought on the side of Agamemnon in the
Trojan War. When Telemachus sails off to find news of Odysseus, he first visits Nestor at Pylos. Nestor contributes very little to Telemachus'
knowledge of his father, though he is generous and helpful.
Menelaus – the King of Sparta. The Trojan War was fought to rescue his wife,
Helen, who was abducted by Paris. In The Odyssey, both husband and wife are back at Sparta. An old friend of Odysseus, Menelaus welcomes
Telemachus into his home.
Helen – the wife of Menelaus and the cause of the Trojan War. Helen's portrayal is more striking than that of Menelaus. She is back with Menelaus at
Sparta, happy and at peace, having learned from her sufferings. The tenderness which she possesses in The Iliad is turned to new purposes here in
The Odyssey.

Antinous – the most vociferous and proud of the suitors. He plots Telemachus' death and often leads the suitors in their mistreatment of Odysseus and
his household. Eurymachus – another outspoken and powerful suitor. In Book 22, he

The Odyssey : The Aeneid And The Odyssey
The Aeneid and the Odyssey are perhaps two of the most famous epic poems to come out of the ancient world. Both stories involve acts of heroism,
divine intervention, and ultimately, victory. They both offer insights into the cultures of Rome and Greece at the time of their writings. Additionally,
both works stem from the same event (the Trojan War) but follow different characters, touching on different aspects of the idealized hero in Roman and
Greek culture. We must first start by discussing whoVirgil and Homer were and the societies they came from. Publius Vergilius Maro was born in
Andes, a village near Mantua in Cisalpine Gaul, in 70 b.c.e. He was born into a peasant farming family and the Italian countryside & its people
influenced...show more content...
In his works, disgrace due to dishonor is the worst that can happen to a hero, and a short life of glorious deeds is considered far superior to a long life
of peace and mediocrity, since by great deeds a man might become immortal [3].
The Odyssey tells the story of the return of Odysseus to his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, on the island of Ithaca after ten years of fighting at
Troy. While the poem centers on the return of Odysseus from Troy, the content of the Odyssey is thematically diverse and its structure is complex. It
contains four major themes: the journey of Odysseus on his way home, (complete with monsters, sorceresses, and a trip to the underworld); the
parallel journey of Odysseus' son Telemachus, a twenty years old man trying to grow to adulthood despite an absent father; Odysseus's actual return
to Ithaca and his winning back of home and wife; and his revenge on the suitors who were vying for Penelope's hand, aided by his son and faithful
aides [4].
The Odyssey portrays a detailed picture of life in Greece. It focuses on the city–state of Ithaca and, in particular, the Greek family represented by
Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus. It also includes moving portraits of slaves and other non–aristocratic characters. The center of attention is always
Odysseus, who is not a tragic hero such as Achilles or Hector. He is a survivor. He confronts danger and death head on, but is never truly in danger of
dying before accomplishing

The Odyssey Essay
Throughout vast journeys of many heroes, no other hero had a more complex journey than Odysseus. This journey is called The Odyssey, written by
Homer. It is an epic poem or story told of a hero name Odysseus on a 20–year voyage trying to get back home from the Trojan War. The great epic
poem known as The Odyssey and attributed to Homer was probably first written down around the eighth century BC, but the origins of the ancient
story in myth, legend, and folklore and art appear to be much older. Greek Epic Hero When you think about Greek Epic heroes, Odysseus will most
likely come to mind. Odysseus is the main character in Homer's poem "The Odyssey." "The Odyssey" is a narrative poem that
describes Odysseus' adventures...show more content...
When Odysseus is in trouble he always shows that he is depending on the gods by praying to them. The fact that the gods usually listen to him
shows that he is well liked by the gods. In order to be a Greek hero you had to be liked by the gods since religion was such a big part in their lives.
Odysseus, with the help of the gods, can survive adventures that kill most other men. Odysseus travels to the island of the Cyclopians. The
Cyclopians are giants that have one eye, they don't fear the gods because they believe that they are better than the gods and they eat people. They
represent the opposite of what Greek men should be. Odysseus and his men meet Polyphemus the Cyclops. Polyphemus being a Cyclops eats
some of Odysseus' men. Odysseus with the help of the gods figures out a plan to escape and he does. Scylla is a ferocious monster with six heads
that kills most men that pass by her island. She kills six of Odysseus' men. Odysseus prevents her from killing himself and more men. There is
another ferocious monster named Charybdis. Charybdis sucks in water from the sea and creates a whirlpool that kills any ship that passes by.
Odysseus passes by her. His crew is killed and his ship is destroyed in the whirlpool but Odysseus alone survives. There is an island that Odysseus
passes by with monsters called Sirens on it. The Sirens sing beautiful songs that lure ships toward them. The ships then crash into the island and the
people are killed.

Odyssey Reflection Paper
Homer's The Odyssey is home to many classics within its pages. From the Cyclops, Scylla and a myriad of other creatures, The Odyssey is a classic
in every sense of the word and its influence on modern day culture is plain to see. However, it wasn't just the monsters that drew people into Homer's
tale, it was also characters. Describing the tale of Odysseus, who after winning a ten–year long war thanks to his quick wits and high intelligence. The
story delves into his journey on trying to get back to his wife, Penelope and child, Telemachus. For twenty years, Odysseus sailed, fought and
outsmarted many obstacles, losing most of his men in the process. And when he finally reaches his home, suitors trying to court his sorrowful wife, who
...show more content...
Before Telemachus begins his journey, the goddess Athena watches over him from Olympus and decides to help him. However, she does not make
herself know to Telemachus, instead she disguise herself as familiar faces to him. And it's these disguises that bring out Telemachus' character. Her first
disguise is as an old friend named Mentor. "Then bright–eyed Athena, assuming Mentor's form and voice once more called Telemachus out of the
palace to her side. 'Telemachus,' she said, 'your well–grieved companions are sitting at their oars, waiting for your word to start'"(Homer 25). This
scene explains how Telemachus views Mentor. He not only sees him as a man to be trusted, but also heed the words of. Telemachus doesn't dissuade
him or any of the like; he listens to his words and follows his instructions. Thus painting the idea that Telemachus knows this man well enough, that he
is willing to follow his will in the middle of the night. However, there is something else that goes on. And that is the silent relationship of Telemachus
and Athena. Touched on by Michael Murrin is his article Athena and Telemachus he goes into detail of the complex relationship between the two and
explains, "In her disguise as Mentor, Athena does just what she promised to do in the divine assembly that begins The Odyssey. She stirs up Telemachus
and gets him to act on his own. She does so with concrete

Images and Symbolism in The Odyssey Essay
The Sea
Odysseus spends so much time sailing home that the sea really takes up a good chunk of his life. This is fitting, since the sea and its perils work
much the same way the Odyssey argues that life does, it is full of suffering, but it can't be avoided. The sea can send blessings like sea breezes to
blow him home or obstacles like storms, Skylla and Charybdis, and treacherous islands. Because the sea is ruled by Poseidon, it is also a
manifestation of the superiority of the gods and nature over man.
Laertes's Shroud
The shroud is a symbol of female deception. Because she is a woman, Penelope doesn't have much power to resist the suitors (as seen repeatedly by
her son's commands to go back upstairs to the bedroom, since everything...show more content...
Of course, that he stops upon request reminds us that he maintains deference to Odysseus's will.
Argos
Odysseus's pet dog is a symbol of unconditional loyalty. Though Argos was a puppy when he last saw Odysseus, many years later he still loves him
and shows his affection for his master by wagging his tail and trying to move nearer Odysseus when he hears his voice. Though he is ignored and often
mistreated by the hands that once fed him, Argos still hangs around the palace hall, waiting only for his master's return. After seeing him at last, Argos
dies happy.
Disguises and Dreams
In the Odyssey, disguises are usually a sign of divine intervention, manipulation, and sanction. The gods have no qualms deceiving mortals and helping
their favorites deceive others. They often use disguises themselves, reminding us that the gods, too, can be devious. Dreams as well are the direct
result of divine power, but tend to be more straightforward and often comfort the sleeping mortal.
Food and Banqueting
In a culture that holds hospitality as an all–important test of character, feasting and festivities are a measure of hospitality and human civility. Often,
defects in the banquet signal some fundamental flaw in the host. For example, Polyphemos feasts on human flesh, which makes him, well, an inhuman
monster. Circe seems

The Odyssey Essay In 'The Odyssey'
The Odyssey Essay Draft Dark and scary Odysseus and his men stuck in the cave fighting to save their lives by a big and large creature with the
name Cyclops. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, It all started when Odysseus and his men wanted to take a rest after a long time floating
on the water. Little did they know what they were getting themselves into. The large creature entered the cave, and man they were definitely in for a
heck of a ride. Odysseus is brave and wise. Odysseus is Brave. For example, Odysseus heated up the stake getting ready to stab the Cyclops in the
eye. "To make a stake with pointed ends, this in the fires heart toughening it." (9. 231–232). This shows that Odysseus was brave because, he had the
braveness and strength to heat up the stake and get ready to stab the Cyclops in the eye. This also shows that Odysseus is brave because the
Cyclops is a very large and scary creature. Odysseus stayed strong and did what he had to do to get back to his home, ad return with him and his
men safe. Odysseus is nothing comparable in size to the Cyclops. In addition Odysseus stabbed the Cyclops right in the dead center of his eye. "So
with our brand we bored that great eye, while blood ran out and around the hot bar" (9. 296–297). This shows that Odysseus was very brave because he
stabbed the Cyclops right in the eye and risked his life to save his men and himself. This also shows that Odysseus was brave because the Cyclops
was very close to grabbing the men

Essay On Identity In The Odyssey
The things that shape identity There is many things that shape identity big things and small things such as family, religion or even random people they
have met in public. For example Juliet wouldn't be the same without her parents she would be alive and would have never met Romeo. One of the
biggest things that shape someone's identity is life experiences, whether it's if you lost your dad or met an amazing person life experiences are a huge
factor in shaping one's identity. As explained above Life experiences are important in molding someone's identity as explained threw the story of
Odysseus. Odysseus was an arrogant yet successful warrior during the Trojan War shipwrecked at sea due to him angering the gods with his arrogance
and selfishness...show more content...
Odysseus ignored the advice of Eurylochus telling him not to go to Kirkes Island because she will turn his crew into swine not surprisingly Odysseus
crew was turned to swine. Odysseus at the end of the Trojan claims that he won the entire war by himself. As the story progresses Odysseus begins to
realize his mistakes he says this "Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man."(Homer, Odyssey) he
then returns home and kill the suitors with the gods help who he finally appreciates.
The second story is the story of Hercules the most famous hero is greek mythology. Hercules Identity is shaped threw the 12 labor he completed to
become a god each labor sculpting his identity in a different way. When he slayed the Lion as his first labor his arrogance started, leading him to
almost losing a fight to the Hydra a incredibly strong being with heads that double every time you cut them.
Hercules learns his lesson of not being selfish and to have an open heart when he finishes his labors and becomes a god Zeus says this ""A true hero
isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his

Argumentative Essay: The Odyssey
"The Odyssey" Argumentative Essay
The Homeric Epic "The Odyssey" concerns the journey of a war hero, Odysseus, returning from the Trojan War. During his travels from Troy, he
encounters many figures such as a Cyclops and a King. He also encounters a nymph named Calypso, who holds Odysseus captive on her island for
over 10 years to use as a husband. Odysseus is a victim of Calypso because of the way she had treated him during his time on Ogygia. While some
may argue otherwise he may have not been a victim to Calypso's actions, there, one can clearly see the mental effects she has on Odysseus and how
she holds him against his will.
During his time on Ogygia, Odysseus longs to return to his home and break free from Calypso's chains. As Athena argues on page_____ when speaking
to her father, "that seasoned...show more content...
Using this definition, it is clear to see that Odysseus is a victim of Calypso because of her deceiving nature. The name "Calypso" means to hide or
conceal, showing that Homer intends to portray Calypso as an evil, deceiving nymph holding Odysseus and abusing her immortal powers to
degrade and trick him. Evidence that Calypso has tricked and not been trustworthy to Odysseus can be seen on page 158 when Odysseus says, "I
won't set foot on a raft until you show good faith, until you consent to swear, goddess, a binding oath you'll never plot some new intrigue to harm
me!". The shows that Odysseus doesn't trust Calypso when she offers him freedom, implying that she has not been trustworthy in the past. Trust is
an important part in a relationship, and not having trust within each other shows how Calypso and Odysseus do not have a good relationship.
Calypso lies again on page 158 when she says, "All I have in mind and devise for you are the very plans I'd fashion for myself". Instead of admitting
releasing Odysseus was Zeus' plan, she takes the credit for letting him

Gods In The Odyssey Essay
The Role of the Gods
The Odyssey written originally in Greek by Homer is on the most acclaimed pieces of literature of all time. Being a major piece of poetic history, The
Odyssey is still extremely influential based on its unique rhythm pattern and masterful storytelling. Homer's epic follows the journey home for a heroic
soldier named Odysseus following the Trojan War. One of the major factors he encounters on his journey are a plethora of gods that interact with him.
Odysseus interacts with several proactive, human–like, and powerful gods on his quest to find his home and family in Ithaca.
The gods discussed within The Odyssey are extremely proactive and frequently take roles upon the earth that they are supposed to rule. One early
example in the poem is when Athene takes a trip to Ithaca to visit with Odysseus's son Telemachos. In order to protect her identity, she spoke to him
as Mentes who was a family friend (Odyssey 1.180). Athene shows how active the gods are in the mortal world by intervening in this situation with
the son of Odysseus. By giving him advice and interacting with him, she is taking a very active role in the...show more content...
By inserting a large amount of Ancient Greek culture into The Odyssey, Homer gives a lot of insight to the belief system and social structure of
Ancient Greece. The gods of ancient mythology were one of the huge pieces of the puzzle that makes The Odyssey so interesting to both readers and
historians alike. The gods that are involved in The Odyssey are extremely proactive, have some human–like qualities, and still possess plenty of power.
By being a central figure in the storyline, Athene is an impeccable example of gods using their power in a way that interacts directly with the mortal
world in a human–like fashion, much like the gods discussed in The Epic of

Examples Of Persuasive Essay On The Odyssey
First–person PERSUASION ESSAY: THE ODYSSEY
It was in the first moment, that one millisecond, when I had first seen him that I knew he was going to be mine. I knew without a doubt, that
Odysseus, Laertes 's son and child of Zeus, would forever be in my possession, no, it 's more like, I would in his. It would only take just a certain
amount of persuasion on my part.
I could tell that he was suspicious of me at first. But, I did my best to show that he did not need to fear me in that way, although he was right to do so
in the first place.
"Now let Earth be my witness, with the broad Sky above, and the falling waters of the Styx ... that I harbor no secret plans against you..." [Calypso 3 to
Odysseus. Homer, Odyssey 5.184]
The...show more content...
"He foresaw destruction in your path, suffering and pain and anguish. I do not wish this upon you, son of Laertes. I only want for you to be safe and
for that to become reality you must listen to me, head my words, and stay with me on this island away from Poseidon, so you can live."
The man before was shaken, but I had not won yet.
"Oh, beautiful and helpful, Calypso, I thank you for telling and warning me of this misery I must face, but I would not be a child of Zeus if I ran from
my troubles and strayed from the path that the Fates have bestowed on to me."
So, then, I played on my master plot.
"Forgive me, Odysseus, but I have been disloyal to you. Do you recall that one night, months ago, when you retired to my bed?"
This night of course never happened, I had fooled him into drinking just a bit too much and he passed out and the next morning awoke to find himself
in my room, and in my arms, but nothing ever happened.
"Why of course," he replied warily.
"Well, it is in disdain that I inform you that I am pregnant with a child," I paused for effect, "Your child."
The expression on my Odysseus 's face was of an appalling and shameful nature. I did not bother to tell him that although I was indeed

The Odyssey And Its Themes Essay
The Odyssey and Its Themes
Homer's great literary classic, The Odyssey, represents and illustrates many emotional and mental values. All of these values can be classified under
three different main themes that are constant throughout the epic tale. These themes are: A boy's struggle to be a man, a king's struggle to reclaim his
kingdom, and a man's struggle to return home. As one reads this book it will become more and more evident to them that a man's struggle to get home
is the most important theme throughout Homer's adventure.
In The Odyssey, Odysseus's longing for his home and family is what drives the story. That is his one goal in the entire book, and that really states
something about his character. In Book 5 we are first...show more content...
Some of the obstacles included the Lotus–Eaters, Cyclops, Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis. In many ways these creatures and temptations represent all
obstacles that get in the way of goals. They are the classic feat that the protagonist, Odysseus, must overcome to get to his goal, home. One of the most
fearsome, brutish obstacles was Polyphemus, the Cyclops. Polyphemus ends up destroying a large portion of Odysseus's crew as described in lines
746–752. 'Neither reply nor pity came from him, but in one stride he clutched at my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to
beat their brains out, spattering the floor. Then he dismembered them and made his meal&#8230;'; This descriptive brutality shows you just how
much a gigantic, intimidating obstacle Polyphemus was. Another one of these obstacles was Scylla. Scylla's attack was described in lines 1338–1343. '
Then Scylla made her strike, whisking six of my best men from the ship. I happened to glance aft at ship and oarsmen and caught sight of their arms
and legs dangling high overhead.'; This is yet another grim reminder of just how determined Odysseus is to get to his home and family.
Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus is warned many times of the perils and difficulty of his journey. All through these times it seems that Odysseus
will never get home, but he never loses hope. In Book 11, Odysseus ventures into hell to meet with the great prophet, Teiresias. Teiresias prophesizes,
'But anguish lies

Homer's Epic Poem, The Odyssey Essay
In Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, the recurring theme of intelligence is important because through intelligence, Odysseus is able to utilize wit and
cunning to suit his needs and wants, as well as defeat bigger and stronger opponents than he. Through the stories of Odysseus' sufferings throughout the
Trojan Warand his struggles of homecoming, Homer portrays intelligence as being an effective application of strength used to gain an advantage over
his opponents. Odysseus is depicted as an intellectual hero, who focuses on brain and sophrosune, rather than the typical martial hero, such as Achilles
in the Iliad, who focuses on brawn and action provoked by emotion. The first instance when readers are told of Odysseus' great skill in the...show more
content...
The difference between how each hero is depicted helps emphasize the difference between the martial hero and the intellectual hero. Supporting the
descriptions of Odysseus by Menelaus and Nestor, Odysseus displays his ability to utilize wit and cunning to get what he wants, cautiously but
quickly. This is first shown when Calypso tells Odysseus that he is free to go home and he is immediately suspicious that she's "plotting something
else" (5.192) and he makes her swear "a binding oath [she'll] never plot some new intrigue to harm [him]" (5.198). The fact he is able to become
suspicious and take the time to ensure that he isn't being deceived, as opposed to becoming overjoyed and giving into his strong desire of returning
home after being held captive for ten years shows his self–restraint over his emotions. This contrasts with Achilles' lack of sophrosune because Achilles
is very rash in the decisions he makes in Troy as shown, in Book 1 when "down on the ground he dashed the scepter" (1.287) after his quarrel with
Agamemnon. By doing this, he gives up all the power he once had, making him an outcast. Furthermore, additional proof of Odysseus' ability to think
through situations is demonstrated in Book 6 when Nausicaa and her maids wake Odysseus up and he, naked, steps out of the bushes and contemplates
about whether he should

Essay on The Odyssey
Many forms of popular culture today are inspired by themes, characters, and other references in various types of classical literature. John Denver's song
'Calypso'; is about the relationship between men and women, and he bases this comparison on the relationship between Kalypso and Odysseus in
Homer's the Odyssey. In 'Calypso'; Denver portrays women in general as being superior to men by using the beautiful and enchanting goddess,
Kalypso, from Homer's epic. John Denver encompasses all women in his song by providing Kalypso as a universal symbol. Along with the
relationship between Odysseus and Kalypso and men and women, there are other interpreted allusions from the Odyssey to Kalypso's song.
The...show more content...
This metaphor is influenced by Odysseus' good and bad times on the sea. There are many instances where Odysseus faces struggles on the ocean.
Whether Odysseus has to fight a huge storm like the one that washes him up on Kalypso's island or he has to elude dangerous monsters such as
Skylla and the whirlpool Kharybdis on the sea, the ocean can be a very dangerous place. Odysseus also encounters times where the sea is very
forgiving to him. The storm that washes him up to the land of Phaecia, a fairy–tale fantasyland, results in a safe and smooth passage home along with
numerous treasures. He later states, 'To work in the service of life and living, in search of the answers of questions unknown.'; Odysseus spends
many years on the sea at many different lands working in the service of the gods in search of answers to the health of his family and the possibility
of a homecoming. Odysseus' long travels make him believe he is indeed searching for the unknown. The gods throw him all across the globe, but he
finds very few answers. Another interpreted allusion deals with experiencing and growing. Denver sings, 'To be part of the movement and part of the
growing.'; The obvious character in the Odyssey that

Women in The Odyssey Essay example
Women play an influential role in The Odyssey. Women appear throughout the story, as goddesses, wives, princesses, or servants. The nymph Calypso
enslaves Odysseus for many years. Odysseus desires to reach home and his wife Penelope. It is the goddess Athena who sets the action of The
Odyssey rolling; she also guides and orchestrates everything to Odysseus' good. Women in TheOdyssey are divided into two classes: seductresses and
helpmeets. By doing so, Homer demonstrates that women have the power to either hinder of help men. Only one woman is able to successfully
combine elements of both classes: Penelope. She serves as a role model of virtue and craftiness. All the other women are compared to and contrasted
with Penelope.
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She is a "bewitching nymph" and "lustrous goddess" (206). She forces Odysseus to stay with her as her lover for many years. Odysseus was able to
escape from the Cyclops' cave. However, neither his strength nor his cunning can free him from Calypso. He is doomed to remain there until the gods
intervene. Women's irresistible charm leads Odysseus to disaster.
These temptresses who hinder Odysseus are contrasted with the women who help Odysseus in his journey homeward. One example is Nausicaa, the
Phaeacian princess. The shipwrecked Odysseus washes up on the Phaeacian shore. He comes across Nausicaa and her maids washing clothes. He
beseeches her for help. Nausicaa kindly helps Odysseus by providing him with a bath, clothing, and food. She then advises Odysseus to enter the palace
and ask for help from her mother, Queen Arete. Arete also wields much influence. Nausicaa tells Odysseus that if the queen "take[s] [him] to her heart",
then there is "hope" that he will return home (278). Nausicaa and Arete are instrumental in bringing about Odysseus' homecoming.
The most powerful female force in The Odyssey is the goddess Athena. She, more than anyone else, brings about Odysseus' homecoming. The poem
opens with her pleading with Zeus to take pity on Odysseus. Zeus issues the command to Calypso to free Odysseus. Athena guides Odysseus every
step of his voyage to Ithaca. She tells Odysseus that it is she "who always stands beside [him], shields [him] in every

Freedom and Homecoming in the Odyssey

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