Roles Of Monsters In Odysseus

There’s an extreme number of books and films released every year. From this considerable list of entertainment there will most likely be mythical monsters. The Odyssey is a story that has many mystical monsters you would even have thought could be imagined. Out of all the movies and books ever made, there are many monsters that have been created. I discovered my monster by watching a horror film. “Tasty, tasty, beautiful fear”, this is a quote from a monster in a recent movie.

The idea of what a monster is and how it pertains to modern day society has fascinated readers and writers for decades. Before taking this class, I was aware of what a monster is and the function it served in today’s society. Furthermore, after taking this class, I am now aware of what a monster truly is, and what really separates a monster from a regular person. The piece of text that I mainly chose to focus on and elaborate closely to demonstrate the aspects of a monster is appropriately named, Monster, by Walter Dean Myers. The reason I chose this piece of literature is because, Monster thoroughly elaborates what a monster is in todays society and how it functions in the modern day world. In this essay I will elaborate on

One of the most interesting qualities of Greek mythology is probably the depiction of monsters in the myths. However, these monsters are not all unique. In fact, they all fall into very distinct categories, making them almost the same. Most monsters in Greek mythology look and act in the same ways. Several monsters from these myths look the same in that they have very similar qualities such as being large, snake or human like. However, they are also very alike in that they behave in very similar ways, from guarding something or roaming freely and causing chaos. Generally, the monsters in Greek mythology follow this outline and are depicted in a way to show these qualities.

Asma states, "Monsters can stand as symbols of human vulnerability and crisis, and as such they play imaginative foils for thinking about our own responses to menace.” This means that human weaknesses and fears are represented through monstrous figures, and these fictional situations provide perspective into how we react in fearful environments. In our current society we fear many things, including but not limited to failed or corrupt governmental systems, the afterlife, the unknown, and captivity, which makes this claim valid. Although we may not realize it, these fears are embodied by the horror monsters we see in popular culture. Society shares common fears, and often times the most prevailing fear is reflected in the most popular characters at any given time. Monsters are the fictional representations of society’s dark subconscious, exploring not only why the author’s statement is accurate but what we actually fear.

Appearing as an epic hero in The Odyssey, Odysseus is an iconic figure in ancient Greek culture and stories. He is portrayed as mighty, great, and powerful. However, what every one sees or thinks they see is just what’s on the surface. “Moralists grew angry in disputing whether he was a ‘good’ man or not-good, that is to say, according to the varying principles” (Stanford). Stanford is trying to explain that depending on people’s values they see or portray Odysseus in many different ways. It is hard to say whether he is bad or good because the author of The Odyssey, Homer, “ Is content to portray a man of many turns” (Stanford). Homer intended to portray Odysseus as this complex character that is not just one sided,

The monsters of Homer’s The Odyssey as written by Robert Fitzgerald all share traits in common, but there is always the small differences which make each close encounter more gripping than the last. When the not-so-glorious Odysseus, son of Laertes just manages to elude the cannibalistic clutches of the blinded Kyklops (IX) and takes to the high seas, he becomes arrogant and taunts his nemesis. He does not realize this, but the very words he uttered then sets the holy executioner upon the necks of his crew. Every island he passes or makes port at, his men become feasts for native monsters; however upon the beautiful island of Aiolia his men are not eaten, nor do they die at the hands of any mortal or immortal foe. What is so significant

and an appetite. The monster knows none but savage ways and a quote to help my statement is “A prodigious man slept in this cave alones, and took his flocks to graze afield-remote from all companions knowing none but savage ways a brute so huge”(580)Homer. The monster archetype can be anything that you fear. The monster can also be anything that is a bad temptation. A quote from the story to help my thesis is “ the sirens who lure sailors to their destruction;the wandering rocks, sea rocks that even destroy seabirds at flight”(580)Homer. The sirens can stand for temptation and temptation is not always good. Sometimes, monsters can come when you have two decisions and neither one is a good choice but you have to choose and this is an example of my statement “The perils of the sea monster Scylia and nearby, the whirlpool charybdis”(580)Homer. Both decision can be bad but you still have to choose and it will have consequences. I know a similar situation is with popularity, you do the wrong things to be popular and get in trouble for it or not do it and be left out. Now do think this was so easy for Odysseus? He had to have a damsel in distress to save to become the hero, or should I say, damsels’ in distress.

In Blake and Cooper’s “Haunting Boundaries”, they argue that monsters come in many shapes and sizes, yet have an identifiable difference which separates them from humanity, while at the same time showcasing the diversity of humankind. Firstly, they utilize the etymology of the word monsters to demonstrate that there was a time when monsters were used for more than fear in stories. The Latin word monstrum, which means monster and a portent, derives from monere, or to warn. In mythology and religion, monsters functioned as warnings, such as in Greek mythology, monsters warned of the power of the gods. As warnings, Blake and Cooper state that monsters can be beneficial to humanity by teaching moral lessons through their stories. Scholars also connected monsters to miracles by

“ You are a ninny or else you come from the other end of nowhere telling me to mind the gods.” (11) Polyphemus is speaking to Odysseus in response to the last quote. He may be ugly, but he is no dummy. You are not going to fool me. “We Kyklopes care not a whistle for your thundering Zeus…..” (12) In this quote, Homer using figurative language “ simile” to emphasize and compare Zeus’s thundering as whistle to him. He’s not afraid of any Gods. That’s where it revealed Cyclops personality and perspective. We can see it by reason of “ Zeus.” He was known as the ruler of the Olympian Gods. He’s the most powerful gods in their culture. But, he compares Zeus’s thundering matching with a whistling. So, it provided the effects of hyperbole. In “ 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…..” (13-15) This quote revealed the monster’s personality is that they are so powerful and almighty. The effects of imagery illuminates the conflicts among them as a result of monster’s personality, this means war to them, but Odysseus and his people are not his opponents. Due to the use of simile give us a sense that how strong they are. “Two men in his hands are like puppies.” (13) “ Then he dismembered them and made his meal…..”(15) This quote revealed monster’s characterization by saying he dismembered them. It gave us a sense of monsters are not the people you should mess with. The characteristic of them is always uncivil and

The villain, or in this poem, the various monsters on this are the antagonists of this story. They show up as grosseteste, terrifying giants of mass destruction,” The term meant some kind of creature that was enormous, ugly, and scary”(Harris pg.15). The cyclopes, for example, is a colossal, one-eyed monster that consumed most of the platoon Odysseus brought with when he went

These characters have certain characteristics about them that give clues on what monster from the story they are suppose to be. The first evil character they meet is big Dan, who represents the Cyclopes.In the Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew anger a man eating Cyclops, Polyphemus. In O Brother where Art Thou, big Dan, a bible salesman with one blind eye, brings Everett and Delmer to a secluded field to knock them out with a big stick, and to steal their money. Another monster that is represented is the sirens, which are represented by the water maids. In O Brother where Art thou, there are three women that distract and seduce the three boys. In the Odyssey, Odysseus and crew pass through the lair of the sirens that attempt to lure them into crashing their ship. Except the water maids succeed in what they are trying to do. Because O Brother where Art Thou is not a mythical movie, there aren’t actual monsters like in the Odyssey, but because the movie is based on the myth. They add characters that represent the monsters. There are also other characters that represent one of the greatest part of Greek mythology, the Greek

In the Odyssey, the main character, Odysseus may appear to be a good guy, but in reality has harmed more than he’s ever helped. There is no doubt that Odysseus is a villain, here’s why. To begin the story, Odysseus leaves his beloved wife, Penelope, and little boy, Telemachus, with his ship and crew members. The story begins ten years after the end of the Trojan War, the subject of the Iliad. Every greek hero has already returned home, except for Odysseus of course.

Monsters have proven to be more than just the fiendish appearance or the evil within such creatures – their monstrosity symbolizes, more or less, the characteristics that define mankind and/or our innermost fears. Prior to this Exploration of the Humanities course, I have interpreted monsters for what they are: heartless and destructive creatures that generate fear. However, I never bothered what the true cause of such fear is – only associating the gruesome presence with a psychological reaction of horror. But taking this class allowed me to broaden my perspective on monsters and monstrosity: humans fear the “Other” because we as individuals have an “Other” within us (subconsciously) that we are not willing to show to those in our

In mythology, monsters provide a challenge that humans must overcome. Heroes try to gain fame by defeating them and townspeople are afraid of them. Monsters spread fear for men to conquer. They give the opportunity for heroes to prove themselves. According to Mr. Thomas Bullfinch, “monsters are unnatural in proportions and parts and are employed for the injury and annoyance of men (Bullfinch 1).” Monsters do have strange parts and a common purpose. In Greek mythology, monsters have striking similarities. They fall into distinct categories based on form and duty. Monsters may be part snake, lion, or human. Some have multiple heads. Most monsters’ duties include guarding something for another being. Other monsters have no responsibilities

Greek Mythology has influenced many “monsters” we reference in various works of current literature. Anywhere from 3 headed dogs to women with snakes for locks of hair, all of these deformed common things originated from Mythology. Not only do we still reference the monsters themselves in all forms of art today but also we implement the qualities the monsters posses unto characters in our stories.