preview

The Role Of Shameless Fiona In The Odyssey

Good Essays
Open Document

Taryn Geiger
Mr. Carlson
Honors English 1
May 8th, 2017 Odysseus vs. Fiona Gallagher
Fiona Gallagher from Shameless shows the complexity of human heroes through her strengths and flaws in a similar way that the Greeks created Odysseus. All throughout Shameless Fiona is in a very difficult spot, being responsible for her four brothers and sister. She is the oldest in the young herd of kids, and has all of the responsibility resting on her shoulders. Despite being able to handle the situation most days, some days she can’t, tempted by the chance of having a normal life if she gets out. In the Odyssey, Odysseus struggles with the choices he has to make. Whether he should continue his journey back to Ithaca, or stay with the many gods he has …show more content…

They both have strengths they show in each story, showing their courage and bravery. Fiona makes the decision to legally become the guardian of the kids, no longer having a way out. After a talk with the judge and being asked if she agrees to the conditions of being their guardians she answers, “Yes I do” to the court (Abbott “A Long Way from Home”). This reminds me of the time Odysseus sacrificed himself to get his men past the sirens. Having himself tied to the mast of the ship and held back, while his men’s ears were stuffed with beeswax to block out the deadly song. “The lovely voices in ardor appealing over the water made me crave to listen, and I tried to say ‘Untie me!’ […]” If Odysseus came free from the restraints holding him down, he would have been killed by the sirens (Homer 12.123-125). By being courageous and thinking fast he saves his men, risking his own life in the process. However, with great strengths and courage come horrific flaws. In Shameless, Fiona is tempted to leave town with Steve and visit Costa Rica, leaving all of the kids behind in order to live a normal life. After Steve pleads for her to go, she replies with, “Well I don’t have a passport.” (Abbott “Father Frank, Full of Grace”) At this point she is her own worst enemy, she realizes that she doesn’t deserve the life she has been given, and wants to get out while she can even though she is wrong. This is similar to the time Odysseus is lured in by Circe, staying in her palace with his men for a year. “Remain with me, and share my meat and wine; restore behind your ribs those gallant hearts […],” Circe says to Odysseus (Homer 10. 171-172). Once considered, Odysseus stays with Circe to feast and feast eventually becomes her lover. His men trapped with her until their captain comes to, and leaves to return them all to Ithaca. In the ways that these two characters are similar, are a prime

Get Access