Analyzing Odysseus 'Fight Song'

“Now shrugging off his rags the wiliest fighter of the islands leapt and stood on the broad door still, his own bow in his hand” (Homer 557). In epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is a hero because he makes a clever decisions by gaining a close connection with Circe, he is cautious for he built his bed out of an olive tree, protecting his family from imposters, and he is cunning, for he allows his men to successfully escape Polyphemus’ cave.

Around the 1200 B.C., Odysseus was sailing the Mediterranean Sea for the purpose of reaching home. In his long narrative poem, The Odyssey, Homer conveys how Odysseus desperately wishes to go home to Ithaca. However, he faces brutal treatment and obstacles from several different antagonists, and more obstacles appear when he reaches home. Odysseus came across many external conflicts, which he dealt with intelligence, determination, and loyalty.

Although Odysseus is one of the most well known greek heros in the world, he is also very controversial among the people as well. In the book, “The Odyssey” written by Homer, Odysseus made some choices that makes the readers question his role as a leader. In “The Odyssey”, it tells the story about Odysseus’ long journey home from the Trojan War. Along the way, Odyssey has extended his times away from home by making unintelligent decisions that led him to encounter one disaster after another. Although Odysseus has some positive attributes, he is a poor leader for the following reasons: he is too cocky and overconfident, he make careless decision, and finally, he is very selfish.

Although having pride in yourself may be a positive in moderation, being too proud of oneself will lead to nothing. Many who look down on others will never learn from their peers, and will only boast of their own achievements. In the poems from “The Odyssey Book 12” by Homer and “Siren Song” by Margaret Atwood, both authors write of Odysseus’ struggle regarding the Sirens. Sirens are half-woman, half-bird creatures who use their music to tempt sailors to shipwreck on islands or to jump off the boat to their death. They call out to him on his journey back home, trying to get him to come to them. The Sirens sing of his great accomplishments, and use flattery to lure him out. These poems show that arrogance and vanity will get one nowhere.

Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus earns the title of a true hero by conveying many qualities such as: determination, courage and leadership.

A hero accepts who he is as an individual, but strives to change himself for the better. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, the main character Odysseus is a valiant king who embarks on a life-changing voyage. While traveling from Troy back to his home in Ithaka, King Odysseus overcomes daunting obstacles, and in doing so discovers his place in the world. Odysseus is truly a heroic figure because he demonstrates courage, improves his character, and wins the support of the gods.

The Odyssey by Homer is an epic poem consisting of 24 books that share individual stories. The Odyssey tells a story of Odysseus, son of Laertes, known as a Great hero. Odysseus fought in the Trojan War for ten years and it took another ten years for him to return home to his grieving wife Penelope and son Telemakhos. Throughout the poem, Odysseus and Penelope go through pain, hardships, and sacrifices always showing their heroic qualities of courage and wits.

In the epic called The Odyssey there are multiple violent and graphic scenes. These three examples will prove this belief.

In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. Many times in the epic he manipulates others, commits foolish acts and is full of hubris. He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness.

One of the major themes of Homer’s Odyssey is the importance of cunning over strength. This also happens to be the case with Odysseus and his long ten year journey home from fighting in Troy. Odysseus uses his intelligence over strength to ‘fight’ through tough times and bring himself home to Ithaca. Odysseus uses his intelligence when he has his men tie him down while passing the Sirens, so he himself will be able to hear their beautiful song, but not be entranced by their singing. He also uses cunning to escape from the Cyclops’ cave without being harmed. He then uses his cunning by storing away all of the armory, shields, and knives from the suitors so he is able to kill them easily.

What make the Odyssey a lasting song? Its themes of family, perseverance, and suffering are timeless. Odysseus is a brave and strong character. He perseveres through suffering because he wants to get back to his family. These themes are similar to the ones found in the song “Lose Yourself.” This is the theme song from the movie 8 Mile about a young rapper named Eminem. Eminem wants glory and honor but has to persevere through suffering to take care of his family. Eminem and Odysseus go through personal battles but in different ways.

“Are you flesh and blood, Odysseus, to endure more than a man can? Do you never tire? God, look at you, iron is what you’re made of” (12.162-164). In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, the focus is on the journey of Odysseus, the island of Ithaca’s king, after he defeated the Trojans in a war that spanned ten years. He travels far and wide in an attempt to get home to his wife and son, but is repeatedly blocked from doing so by gods, nymphs, and monsters alike. He’s a skilled warrior that fears next to nothing and this poem follows him as he uses these facts to his advantage. Odysseus is persuasive and clever and refuses to shy away from a challenge that requires either one of these characteristics.

Odysseus’s victory in the final battle against the Suitors is dependent on certain key factors including the power of prophecies, divine intervention (specifically Athena), utilization of lies, and loyal servants. An important prophecy Odysseus learns on his journey home suggests that the Suitors are destined to perish at the hands of Odysseus. Athena is extremely influential prior to the battle as well as during it. Additionally, the lies Odysseus tells ultimately assist him in killing all of the Suitors. Lastly, the success in the battle against the Suitors is heavily dependent on the help of loyal servants. While all of these factors ultimately help Odysseus in regaining his power, family, and his home, the prophecy of Teiresias predicts

Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey takes place in and around ancient Greece near the time of the Trojan War. The protagonist is Odysseus, the guile hero and king of Ithaca. Just after his first son Telemachus was born, Odysseus is called to battle in the ten year long Trojan war. After the war, angry at his and his men’s hubris in battle, the gods made the return journey last ten harsh years. Meanwhile, growing up fatherless, Telemachus has to cautiously take charge of the hold, while staying loyal to Odysseus with their home filled with demanding suitors that woo his mother, Penelope. Although Telemachus acts with more caution and didn’t always have his father by his side, they both display loyalty and bravery as warriors in battle.

1. Odysseus kept his true identity from Telemachus at first, because he did not want Eumaeus to know about his return. Since he would be likely be killed if the suitors found out about his return, he wanted as few people as possible to know about his homecoming. He did not tell his wife, Penelope, about his return, because one of the workers in the palace could share this information with the suitors.