Odyssey Report: Rough Draft
In Ancient Greek mythology there are many complex and intriguing archetypes, but some were valued more than others. Archetypes were used often in stories from Ancient Greece and in movies from the modern day. They are used extensively to the point of being trite and cliché, but they always seem to work, almost as if we feel like we share similarities with the character. All humans at some point experience a sense of morality, like feeling bad for an ant you stepped on because it had no way to defend itself. Since all humans experience this sense, would it not be too far-fetched to make characters act according to morals too? I will be explaining three very different character archetypes in my essay: The Hero, The Innocent, and The Antagonist. My topics are The Hero, The Innocent, and The Antagonist character archetypes and the behaviors attributed to them.
Heros normally display qualities that most of us could only dream about, but the skills Odyssey portrays aren’t otherworldly or superhuman, they are cunning, bravery, and honor. Odysseus’s cunning is shown rather quickly with the escape scene in “The Cyclops” where on page 571 and 572 it shows his ingenuity and improvisational skills when he straps himself and his men to the bottom of Polyphemus’ sheep and rams. This scene also shows his patience, which also is collaborated with cunning by writers, with how he didn’t panic when Polyphemus stopped the ram he was hanging on because it was
According to the dictionary, an archetype is “the original pattern or model from which all things are the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype.” Archetypes are the basic building blocks of any story that is told whether it’s an epic fantasy novel or an intense autobiography about some white guy from 100 years ago. An archetype can be any type of character such as a jester, hero, or a princess. However, archetypes can also be experiences like coming of age. Feelings are also a type of archetype like fear or joy. In the books The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and The Odyssey by Homer some of these archetypes are shown through Fatima, the Princess (damsel in distress), Calypso, the Temptress, the Alchemist, the Sage, and Odysseus and Santiago, the Flawed Heroes.
When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. The “hero” that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. This “hero” may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the book’s case, the quests. In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership.
Archetypes can be seen in many places, such as books, poems, movies, and more. In Homer's The Odyssey, there are examples of archetypal heroes. Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus are all archetypal characters.
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.
Ancient Greeks’ history consisted of monsters, creatures, gods, goddesses, fights, and battles. It shows that Ancient Greeks were very imaginative and creative. There were three main archetypes that were used in Homer’s epic ,The Odyssey, which show different aspects of Ancient Greek culture. Those three archetypes were: the hero/father figure archetype, the monster archetypes, and the search for love. The hero archetype explained the Ancient Greeks’ love for thrill and adventure; Odysseus went on many thrilling adventures while on his journey. The monster archetypes represented the Greeks’ love of horror; Odysseus’ men have died due to the monsters and creatures. There were also love stories that show the Greeks’ passionate and emotional
First, one of the recurring themes in the Odyssey is that of cunningness over strength. Although Odysseus was known to be a strong and powerful of individual, his cunning was his strongest asset when it came to overcoming the obstacles in his travels. Instead of relying solely on his strength, he relies on his minds ability to deceive and manipulate individuals to do as he pleases. An example of this is seen when Odysseus with the help of Athena disguises himself as an old beggar. Instead of simply going to his home
Among the plethora of archetypes that present themselves in Homer’s The Odyssey and the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? is the character of the Blind Prophet. This character is an older man who has the gift of foresight, yet lacks the gift of physical sight. In the ancient epic poem, the hero Odysseus travels to the Underworld during his time on Circe’s isle to consult the blind seer Tiresias. In the film, Ulysses Everett and his hunting group of companions encounter a nameless blind soothsayer upon the railroad tracks after they first escape incarceration.Tiresias warns Odysseus of the trials ahead on his journey, including the Sirens and the monstrous Scylla, giving advice on how to best surpass them. The film’s blind seer describes a “long
A trip to hell is not unique to Homer’s The Odyssey, but rather this journey is found as an archetype in multiple cultures. If you look at any story from any culture, there is always a low point or valley in the story where a hero must dive into the unknown to prove themselves as a hero. This also serves as a stage to show the hero their own mortality and enhance their bravery. What results is that they emerge from the hardships as a brave and justified hero. There is no place that maintains these circumstances of death and decay better than the underworld. Additionally, what makes the hero a hero is the fact that he or she has gone to the place of no return for most people, and has come back after conquering some form of evil. This gives the
The epic, The Odyssey, centers around Odysseus, whose disposition can be controversial. Like all heroes, Odysseus displays both positive and negative characteristics, which determine whether he is a admirable figure or not. In my opinion, the parts of his character that are commendable outweigh his lesser qualities, making him an honorable role in the poem. Odysseus’s three main favorable attributes are his cleverness, his determination, and his leadership.
Most people think of a hero as a strong, superior, good-looking person that could never make a mistake. However, in a story called The Odyssey, a connection to real life reveals imperfections to be common in heroes. Each person has their low points and highlights, regardless of their “rank”. The author and epic poet, Homer, exemplifies our main character, Odysseus, to take on this idea of a hero throughout his writing. The time period took place in Ancient Greece, allowing Greek culture to relate to the poem. Different aspects of such culture and history may have influenced the works and creativity of Homer as well. A major point includes The Trojan War because it focuses in on Odysseus’ journey to bring Helen back home by devising a plan to destroy warriors in the city. Acknowledge this factor when reading The Odyssey, for not only evidence of heroism, but also other major points of archetypes, in which the device reflects the insights of readers in modern time and what is seen from Ancient Greek culture.
Ancient Greece was full of mystery. They told of mystical, almost supernatural, heroes and monsters. One such story was told of a warrior named Odysseus. A king who ruled over the kingdom of Ithaca, but sadly left for war, leaving both his family, and his kingdom. Fighting for almost a decade, Odysseus set off on a long journey towards home. Through thick and thin, and through all of the bloodshed and fighting, he finally has a happy ending at home. At what cost though? His men, his ship, himself? Odysseus was put into the category of a hero, one of the many archetypes modern readers use to identify main characters and all other concepts in literature. All heroes experience the fright and thrill of adventure in
An archetype is a model or ideal example in which other things are patterned. There are many archetypes that could represent many characters; but for my character, Haley Kincain, the caregiver archetype represents her the best. Haley represents a caregiver due to constantly caring for her father and his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, along with helping her friends with problems like divorce and bullying. I found her to be pragmatic, considerate and patient throughout the book.
Character archetypes play a part in the epic by moving the story along. They all help to assist Odysseus by giving him guidance, never leaving him, and by providing a reason to come home.
The topic of this essay is about The Odyssey. As Odysseus continues his journey home he has no idea what 's heading his way. He loses, gains, and learns new skills and things that have changed him tremendously. He was not the same man he was twenty years ago. He shows archetypes of a hero to his disappearing crew. Then he shows it to his family member. How much can change in twenty years? Apparently a lot can transform a man who has had crazy experiences. This story was about three-thousand years ago. The people were called the Greeks. The Greeks valued their gods very much. They had many values to honor such as hospitality or sacrifices. They were very kind people. Although they like war, they like peace better. The Odyssey is an Epic
Archetypes ! You’ve probably never heard of them, but once I explain you will instantaneously recognize what they are. Archetypes acute stereotypes. They show up in books, movies, poetry, etc, but they also show up in ancient Greek culture. Around 1200 B.C., the Trojan war took place and about 450 years later the epic poem The Odyssey was written about a man named Odysseus. He is traveling home and is overcoming many obstacles and stumbling blocks such as facing ungodly monsters and mad Lotus eaters, as well as all of the troubles the sea carries. You might be asking, “ Why is he facing all of these inconveniences ?! “ Well, here’s what happened, after the war he was going home with all of his mates and at one point he ended up at the island where the Cyclopes reside. He and his men were then capture and were each being eaten, but Odysseus had a plan to save not only himself but his men as well. Only a few of his men, including himself, got out alive. As they got away from the barbarian, he told him who he was. The beast then prayed to the god Poseidon, that Odysseus would never get home, or would not get home for a long time and when he did he would come back to a corrupt home. The topic of this essay is archetypes in the Odyssey and what they sight about ancient Greek culture. The three archetypes that I will use as examples in this essay are as follows ; The hero, temptress, and monster.