Examples Of Myths In The Odyssey

Biblical myth probably covers the greatest range of human situations, encompassing all ages of life including the next life, all relationships whether personal or governmental, and all phases of the individual’s experience, physical, sexual, psychological, spiritual (p.

The Odyssey, is a series of books about the epic journey of the hero Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca. Throughout the book Homer tries to establish theme by showing things may not appear as they seem and that many actions have its consequence. Odysseus barely came out alive with Scylla because of her appearance and his crew died due to their excessive pride. Homer uses figurative language, such as similes and repetition, to develop theme.

There are several archetypes throughout The Odyssey. The archetypes shown are: the tempress, which is Circe, the supernatural guide, which is all the gods/goddesses and Tiresias, and the creature of nightmares which consists of the cyclops, the sirens, and Scylla. The supernatural guide helps and hinders Odysseus, who states, “What of those years of rough adventure, weathered under Zeus? The wind that carried west for Ilium brought me to Ismarus, on the far shore, a strongpoint on the coast of Cicones.”

In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus' actions and decisions in books IX-XII has shown that even though he is extremely clever and courageous, the great tactician's selfishness and sense if hubris often stand in the way of his success. First of all, Odysseus is exceptionally brave, he has experienced more than any mortal man should and will never cower away from a challenge. For example, Odysseus led his men on a dangerous endeavor in blinding the Cyclops Polyphemus. Odysseus vividly recalls how the monster viciously killed two of his crew, "Then he [Polyphemus] dismembered them and made his meal / gaping and crunching like a mountain lion" (9.316-17). Realizing he would likely be killed, Odysseus rallied his crew and blinded the horrendous beast without fear.

theme. The statement “It’s a myth” means that a tale or story may be based on some truth, but that it

What makes a hero a hero? Is it metal capability or physical strength, is it both? In The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus answers that question by showing his heroic and not so heroic characteristics. While on a journey home Odysseus faced many things including an island full of Cyclopes, Lotus eaters, Circe, a six headed monster, his own people and more. Throughout all of the challenges he faced Odysseus had to either be a heroic leader or send men to do the job for him. Considering Odysseus’ want to be the greatest and be remembered, he acted in many ways that make a reader believe that he is in fact a hero.

Despite all their similarities, The Greeks and Romans engaged in substantive culture differences. Their religions derived from a complex set of gods and goddesses, called deities, who were seen as regulating human life. Since the Romans embraced culture from the Greeks, many traditions were the same. However, the Greek and Roman culture, although similar, are very different and appealing. For instance, the Greeks did not acknowledge an all-powerful god; they believe that deities controlled everything that transpired on earth. In other words, the Greeks sought religious cults to explain the forces that shape the world (Bentley et al, 2008 p.143).

The epic hero is a staple of classic Greek myths, and Odysseus is a prime example. Epic heroes are always loyal, which is a very prominent trait of Odysseus, for better or for worse. Odysseus believes in his men, even after they completely disobey his orders. More importantly, he stayed loyal to his wife (more or less), even after being apart for 20 years. He missed his son’s life, and yet neither of them were ever far from his mind. Another great example of the epic hero is the love of glory. Part of what made Odysseus so loyal to his men was how much they fed his ego, which is a direct example of what makes him crave glory. He also had a constant thirst for adventure and curiosity, making him fit all the criteria to crave glory as an epic

Poseidon, the most famous God of the sea, was represented as extremely powerful, with a violent and vengeful disposition. (Sellers) First, Poseidon was the God of many things, such as the God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He was the brother of two Gods, Zeus and Hades. (Skidmore) Poseidon plays a very important part in The Odyssey because he is first introduced as a god who is out to get Odysseus because he blinded his son, Polyphemus, a Cyclops. Next, Poseidon tries to do everything he can to make sure Odysseus doesn’t get home to Ithaca, so he sends a very strong storm to mess up Odysseus’ raft which he was building to help him get off of Calypso’s island. Odysseus and his crew were swimming in the sea when they found a cave that was filled with sheep. The cave belonged to Polyphemus, and he wasn’t happy when he found out that Odysseus and his crew had slaughtered his sheep, so he said that since they had eaten his food, he was going to slowly eat them. Lastly, Odysseus steps up and tries to save his crew by giving Polyphemus wine which made him drunk. (Polyphemus) When he fell asleep, Odysseus blinded him so he couldn’t see them sneaking out. Poseidon was not happy at all when he found out that his son had to suffer this kind of way.

Thus far in The Odyssey, Homer has introduced several characters. The Gods discussed what they should do about Odysseus’ struggles as he attempts to get home to his wife and son. Athena then appears to Telemachus as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus’. She convinces him that he should set sail in order to find out if his father is dead or alive and to take back control of his father’s kingdom from his mother, Penelope’s, suitors. Antinous, one of her suitors, then tells Telemachus of Penelope’s deception toward them. After hearing this, they exchanged more words, and then he set sail to find his father. He goes to see King Nester who remembers what it was like during the Trojan War and tells Telemachus to be strong and brave. The Gods met again and discussed Odysseus’ capture by Calypso. Zeus sent his son Hermes, the messenger of the Gods, to tell Calypso that she must release Odysseus. Calypso reacts vividly to this, stating that the gods are unfair in their treatment of gods and goddesses. Calypso then begins to speak to Odysseus. During this conversation in book 5, Homer reveals to us the importance of a person’s wit and the deception of others in order to help yourself, as well as the importance of one’s will power.

In the cyclopes island Odysseus and his men wander into the cyclopes cave, once the cyclopes enters his cave he shut the only way out of his cave and spots odysseus and his men. The cyclops asks odysseus why he is here, odysseus responds him trying to convey the cyclopes to treat them like guests but odysseus insults poseidon the cyclops father the cyclopes get mad and eating too of odysseus men. The cyclops passes out and odysseus think of a way to get out. Odysseus blinded the cyclops and escaped by holding on to the sheep that the cyclops let out. Odysseus was the most heroic here because he was able to free the rest of his men and he stood claim while coming up with the plan to escape.

As a result, Athena is there to advise and prepare Telemachus for her greater plan of the homecoming of Odysseus. Athena’s first goal is pointed out by her statement, “Tomorrow, summon the Achaian warriors into assembly / and publish your word to all...Tell suitors to scatter and go back to their own holdings” (1.272-274) which commands Telemachus to call an assembly for suitors and tell them to leave his household. Further, Athena suggests Telemachus visit Nestor and Menelaus, who was his father’s friend in the Trojan war by the statement “First go to Pylos, and there question the great Nestor, / and from there go over to Sparta to see fair-haired Menelaos, / since he came from home last of all the bronze-armored Achains.” (1.284-286). Finally, the words of Athena “after you have made an end of these matters, and done them, / next you must consider well in your heart and spirit some means by which you can kill the suitors who are in your household, / by treachery or open attack.” (1.293-296) reveals her final plan for Telemachus that he must find a way to kill the suitors after his return.

Chapter 3- Arrived at Pylos, Telemachus and Athena (disguised as Mentor) go meet King Nestor. When he meets Nestor, he

Myths are stories that usually explain something about the world and involve gods and other supernatural beings. Although, myths are fictional stories, in most libraries they are found in the non-fiction section of the library in the

Throughout time there has been a difference between the Greek and Roman empires like they are both polytheistic, meaning that they believe in multiple Gods. Each city-state had their own God of what they worshipped. In the Greek religion, it is more personal than anything else. They held thing such as animal sacrifices, believed in myths which in the time they thought was real and having holy temples that took up most of the city. They worshipped Gods such as Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. They believed the Gods had the doing in many of the actions that were presented in the society. For example, if someone fell in love that was the doing of Aphrodite also how they believe that Athena gave a gift to the Athens which is why they named this place after her.