In literature, a common process for the protagonist to go through is to go on a journey in order for them to develop as a character and to further the story as a whole. This idea of a character’s journey is notably seen in Homer’s The Odyssey, Dante’s Inferno, and Voltaire’s Candide. All three of these texts depict not only the protagonist going through a journey, but they also depict in very different ways these characters use their abilities to overcome obstacles in their path and learn from their mistakes to show their individual character development. In The Odyssey, Inferno, and Candide, Odysseus, Dante and Candide show three different ways how ????????
In The Odyssey, Odysseus’ journey is created by a cycle of self-created obstacles that are solved by quick witted thinking and ultimately reflect no real desire to learn from his errors or create any character development. Throughout the story, Odysseus expresses a strong desire to return home to Ithaca, however he is constantly thwarted by his own curious and boastful nature. For example, when
…show more content…
It is only when Candide encounters a slave whose account of what has happened to him is so horrible that Candide begins to falter on Pangloss’ philosophy, saying “This is one abomination you could not have anticipated, and I fear it has finally done for me: I am giving up on your Optimism after all” (52). This quote signifies a vital turning point in Candide’s journey, for if he was still fully under the influence of Pangloss’ teachings, Candide could have easily rationalized that if it weren’t for the slave’s suffering, Europe and the rest of the world would not be able to have sugar. Instead, Candide is able to finally see the slave’s suffering for what it is, and he is heartbroken and frustrated by it rather than passive and philosophical as he had been
In life, people tend to focus on themselves and when they win and succeed they begin to drift from humility, this can lead to high egos and too much self-esteem, which can be good and bad. In the odyssey by Homer, the main character Odysseus is shown going around fighting battles and protecting his men, while trying his best to be there for his sweetheart Penelope. Still, through Odysseus's high ego, trouble arises and mistakes start to happen which leads him astray toward his goal of seeing his wife. Odysseus provides examples of high ego by demonstrating poor tactics throughout the story. During the Book, Odysseus is too blind to see how his personality is holding him, hostage, from being a good friend and family member.
Throughout the epic poem Odysseus claims that he desires to return home, but after he saves his men he stays on the island with Circe, keeping his men away from home, keeping his son without a father, keeping his wife without a husband. Odysseus lets pleasure keep him away from his family, he falls victim to his own selfish desires, something a true hero would never do. Odysseus acts only as a servant to pride, pleasure, and himself not the greater good like any true hero would
My goals include graduating college, getting a job, and staying happy in my adult life, but these will be challenged with many obstructions, including distractions, large obstacles, and temptation. Even though Odysseus is facing physical monsters and creatures, we still face “monsters” every day that we have to overcome. These monsters have one purpose: to distract us from our true goals. It’s only once we defeat these obstacles that we are able to move on in life. The most important part of the Odyssey to me is that no matter how many obstacles or challenges that Odysseus faced, he always moved on in the end.
In The Odyssey, Odysseus makes many stops on his journey home, delaying his trip even further. Homer tries to make Odysseus out to be some hero, but on his mind set is throughout the book is that he can do anything he wants. Even if his actions do hurt other he still will not have any repercussions. One of the only times in the epic that Odysseus actually shows his dejected state is when he 's cries on Calypso 's Island during the day and sleeps with her during the night. A quote to support this is “Off he sat on a headland weeping, there as a always, wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish, gazing out over the barren sea through blinding tears...
Imagine being apart from your family for over ten years, fighting for your life in a war, and in the many battles and problems you will face on your way home from war. Would you be able to fight a cyclops, pass a dangerous whirlpool and have to face the fact that your crew betrayed you? In the novel The Odyssey written by Homer, Odysseus must do all of these things and more. He has been away from his wife, son and many other family members for over ten years now, fighting for his life on his journey home after fighting in the Trojan war.
Similar to an odyssey life is a journey filled with daring conflicts, choices, and challenges that one has to overcome. In the novel The Odyssey, written by Homer, the main character Odysseus is faced with many testing challenges and difficult choices. During the issues he encounters Odysseus shows the characteristic perseverance to overcome the challenges. Persevering through challenges in life is similar to Odysseus and his journey.
His fate and journey are ultimately changed by the actions of others who are selfish, greedy, and foolish. The suitor’s greed gave him the extra desire to finally return to Ithaca, and his journey changed as he became desperate to return to Penelope. The selfishness crew caused his journey to be delayed, as he was forced to travel for ten extra days. The foolish crew, and their need to die with full stomachs caused Odysseus to be alone and stuck on an island with Kalypso resulting in more time away from
In the epic story the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is returning from the Trojan war, and on his way home he finds many obstacles ahead of him. Odysseus is the ruler of Ithaca and he is trying to return home to his land. Many creatures try and stop him from achieving his goal of returning home, but he and his crew have to push through and get home. Odysseus portrays bravery and courage leading his crew through these tough challenges. Odysseus heroically leads his crew and himself through dangerous obstacles, but also foolishly endangers them during the journey home.
Trapped against their foes, fighting to survive. The common problems while trying to fight for your life. In the book The Odyssey by Homer, the main character Odysseus has just began to return home from Troy after fighting in the Trojan war.
How would you handle a journey which seems never-ending? In Gillan Cross’s interpretation of The Odyssey, we notice several events that have had a domino effect upon each other. As the story went on we noticed how certain events categorize themselves into different parts of the Hero’s Journey (12 stages). Then as the story progresses we see archetypes that reinforce the idea that The Odyssey is a monomyth. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus goes through difficult obstacles and decisions.
Odyssey believes that he is the great of all time, and no one will be able to bring him down. This shows that in the beginning of The Odyssey Odysseus is impulsive and
In the book called The Odyssey by Homer, it mainly follows the story of a king of a village called Ithaca, hundreds of years ago-This man, is named Odysseus. Odysseus goes through many adventures after the victory of the Trojan War. However, this is where Odysseus, is not being as strong as a great war hero and a king as he should be. Although Odysseus was seen as a very strong person, physically and mentally, he lacks the appreciation and the care of his crew throughout the trials and didn’t think through many of his actions thoroughly and how they would affect not only his crew but people around him.
The Odyssey by Homer revolves around the character, Odysseus, and his ten-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. As the epic’s idol, he displays the combination of a clever, handsome, and courageous man popular among the mortals as well as the gods. Essentially, he embodies the ideals of the ancient Greek culture, being adorned with many favored characteristics of the era. However, an intriguing aspect of Odysseus lies in his personality. As the protagonist, he does not manifest the entirety of a stereotypical hero because Odysseus has a fatal flaw—his arrogance.
Odysseus and Ulysses both have struggles questioning their identity and belonging while on their journeys. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is at a crossroads between wanting to return to Ithaca and pursuing adventure. As he faces his challenges, he soon realizes that he needs to prioritize himself as a figure in Ithaca: A husband, father, and king, gaining a deeper understanding of his role in society as he does so. In "The Adventures of Ulysses", Ulysses follows a similar journey, questioning his identity and role in society as he faces challenges.
Odysseus’s journey changed him into a more determined, grateful, and wiser, man. One example of how the journey changed Odysseus was by his determination to get home. The author states, “For seven of the ten years Odysseus has spent wandering the Mediterranean Sea, he has been captive by the goddess Calypso on her island”(Homer 1206). Being held by Calypso help Odysseus get the determination he needed to get back home. The author states, “Son of Laertes, versatile Odysseus, after all these years with me, you still desire your old home?”(Homer 1209).