Odyssey Essay : Hero's Journey And Odyssey

In “The Odyssey” by Homer, Odysseus is on a journey home to Ithaca after helping the Greeks win the Trojan War. The “Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell represents the difficult journey a hero must go on to defeat the “final battle,” meaning that he must overcome a really difficult challenge to complete his journey and restore the world. In “The Odyssey” by Homer, Odysseus experiences significant events on his journey home to Ithaca which includes Entering the Unknown; he receives Supernatural Aid; and he experiences the Supreme Ordeal related to Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey.”

Odysseus, through the tremendous physical journey that he has embarked on, goes on many mental journeys that greatly develop him as a character: he starts out hotheaded and single-minded, yet grows to be a lot more rational by the end of the book, which ultimately saves his own life and the lives of many others. For example, because of the inadvertent trip he and his crew take to the island of the Cyclops, and their subsequent escape from the Cyclops Polyphemus (which causes the ire of Poseidon, Polyphemus’ father, to be incited), Odysseus learns to not invite the wrath of the gods. He also learns, after taunting Polyphemus multiple times and consequently, almost getting everyone killed because of it, to not act in such a rash manner and to

In The final chapters of Odysseus's quest, the reader believes that the main character has finally found himself. The problem with his happy ending is that he has forgotten one thing. Odysseus is not perfect he is human. Though he has learned much through his perils, the vices of Pride, vengeance, and dependency, all come back to haunt him during the

This gives him the title as chosen one. His intention was to get home to Ithaca but he remarks with over prideful insults towards the gods. This low point results in punishment from the gods to face some of the worlds monsters. Through it all, he receives aid from those who think he can amount to more. He receives news of home from his grieving mother, and his prophecy from Tiresias. “For not to everyone will gods appear.” (pg.294) The only reason why Odysseus was able to survive through the quests was because Athena’s fondness for him. She covers him with a disguise when he finally returns home so that he may win his last battle. His restoration came with absence of pride and ego from all the horrors he has perceived. Although he had to fix his character, Odysseus is still known as a hero not only because of his cleverness but also how he fixed his

This shows that even when Odysseus is feeling down he can get back up and regain motivation. Another time when Odysseus showed perseverance was when his shipmates were feeling down and everyone was losing hope but his peers had faith in his because they have come to trust he can get them out of any situation: "'Captain, shake off this trance, and think of home-if home indeed awaits us...'"(10:521-522). This demonstrates how Odysseus has left this effect on people that he can get out of certain situations and to inspire others to not give up and keep fighting. At the end of Odysseus’s journey he has learned a lot about what hope is and spreading it to others and knowing no matter how hard something is to just keep trying your

The Hero’s Journey is never an easy one. This particular journey, as detailed in Homer’s The Odyssey, is one of struggle, loss, heartache, pain, growth and triumph. It is comprised of many steps that Odysseus has to overcome and battle through in order to achieve his final goal of reaching his home and his loved ones. From the Call to Adventure to the Freedom or Gift of living, Odysseus conquered them all. The story begins in the middle of the story, as many of the oral Greek traditions did, with the Journey of Telemachus to find his father. Although Telemachus has not yet met his father, it is almost as if they are journeying together, where the end of both of their journeys results in being reunited. Telemachus journeys from being a

leave Ithaca cannot be simply based on a whim: he is a young king with

You would expect a triumphant return, with parades and euphoric celebration. But with Odysseus’ return, there is mourning. Not mourning for him, as he has returned safely. But mourning for the rest of his men who have all died on the journey. Not one of Odysseus’ men have returned, which is irreparable damage.

His return not only is beneficial for him, but also for his community. Now, they obtain a hero, which becomes a symbol of strength and power. Odysseus' return, like many others, needed a perfect timing, enough time to leave people in suspense. As he tells Penelope, ‘‘Odysseus would have been here beside you long ago, but he thought it would be better, shrewder course to recoup his fortunes roving through the world. ’’(The

Odyssey Heroic Essay Odysseus is the main character of the Odyssey, the second great Homeric epic, and one of the best known examples of heroism of all time. The word odyssey now means to undertake a long and potentially perilous journey, and is named in honor of this. The core attributes of any hero are proactivity in regards to conflict, competence, and relatability, and Odysseus displays all three. Further aspects that define his heroism are his courage, intelligence, and perseverance.

Odysseus showed that he was loyal to his men just not by leaving them behind, but he revealed his true colors to notify his men that they cannot not ever give up even when things get difficult. He was known for his leadership skills; leaving home for so many years, to return back to his family. During Odysseus early life, he had the ability to solve problems as well as outwit his opponents. He promotes his own code of conduct through his exploits. Odysseus is more intense than Achilles, more pensive, but still is able to create explosive violence. Odysseus is all about being victorious; even when it was time for him to return back to his home.” A man who has been through bitter experiences and travelled far enjoys even his sufferings after a time” (Odyssey). This quote represents all of the misery that he came upon his excursion. He played a special role in Homer’s lliad; demonstrating his abilities to advise his followers so they can be independent.

“It is unwise to be too sure of one 's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.” This quote, by Mahatma Gandhi, applies to The Odyssey, an epic poem written by Homer. Odysseus, the poem’s central character, originally believes in the invincibility of men, but his point of view changes after the completion of his hero’s journey, a concept introduced by modern mythologist Joseph Campbell. The “hero’s journey” consists of six phases: leaving home, deciding on a quest, encountering obstacles, fighting an all-out struggle, receiving a wound or mark from the fight, and gaining wisdom. As Odysseus travels from Troy to Ithaca, he encounters many obstacles that delay his journey and lead everyone to presume that he is dead. As a result, suitors from all over Ithaca gather at Odysseus’ palace, where they are eventually killed by Odysseus for courting his wife, Penelope. Odysseus reclaims his position as king of Ithaca and therefore accomplishes his quest. In achieving his final goal of returning to Ithaca, however, Odysseus learns of his own limitation. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus successfully completes the hero’s journey because his perseverance enables him to conquer obstacles and share his insight regarding the weakness of men upon his return home.

It is also told in the story that he is the one responsible for coming up with the plan to invade Troy in the Trojan horse. Odysseus’ journey revolves around change- whether it be his mind or the

The tempering and strengthening of ego by the forces which the gods unleash upon Odysseus function to cement his inward journey along with the external evolution he undergoes from sacker of cities to a man of deep feeling. The end product of such an evolution comprise what was in Homer's time, and remains in ours, the new hero. Odysseus' challenge is not only to think on his feet in battle but to reach a depth of soul engendered from the threats and creatures which defy the ordinary imagination. The Odyssey is the story of one man's encounter with the unconscious and his subsequent survival.

In The Odyssey of Homer, the Ithakan king Odysseus has been away from home for twenty years after the Trojan war. In the time after the war, Odysseus tries to sail back home for many years and is eventually successful, even regaining his kingly status. Along the way, Odysseus receives substantial help from others. The loyalty of others allows Odysseus to regain what he has lost.