Essay On Rewards In The Odyssey

Carson Hope

Mrs. Hingl

Lit. & Comp, 8th Period

12/20/22

Rewards Motivate Characters On Their Hero’s Journey

Joseph Campbell once said, “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” Although each character faced different obstacles, the rewards they would receive proved to be the ultimate motivator for the heroes to continue on their Hero’s Journey. Cece Bell was motivated by the rewards of acceptance, accomplishment and independence, and a true friend; Odysseus motivated by the rewards of going home to his family and winning honour and glory; and Edmond Dantes motivated by the rewards of revenge, love, and reputation. Throughout these pieces of literature, rewards serve as a motivation for each individual to complete

At the start of the epic, Odysseus wants to get back to his wife Penelope and son Telemachus: “Yet it is true, each day I long for home, long for the sight of home” (Homer Book 5). Throughout the journey, his strong desire to be with his family again keeps him going and helps him face many challenges. Odysseus is driven not only by the reward of going home, but also by his desire for glory and honor. He is known as a smart and brave fighter, and he shows this throughout his journey by doing clever dirty tricks that take a lot of courage. For example, after being caught by the cyclops Polyphemus, he uses his smarts to get away by making a wooden spike and blinding the cyclops. Because of this, he is able to get away, and he also earns a lot of respect and fame: “Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame ad blinded, tell him odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye-” (Homer Book 9). The gods are also the reason Odysseus goes on his journey. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, guides Odysseus on his journey. She is Odysseus’s mentor rather than just a helper throughout the epic. Odysseus also has trouble because the god Poseidon is angry with him for killing and blinding his son. Poseidon trys to kill Odysseus but Athena protects him. This only makes Odysseus more motivated to fight

Firstly, the benefit of getting revenge is a big part of Dantes' journey. Throughout the film, he tries to get “revenge” on the people who betrayed him and put him in prison for years (Wolpert). Dantes wants revenge and justice for the wrongdoing which happened to him in the past. This leads him to take on the title of the “Count of Monte Cristo” (Wolpert). Meanwhile, Dantes's journey is also driven by the reward of love. Throughout the movie, he tries to win back the love of Mercedes, who was once engaged to him but is now with a different man. Dantes wants to return to his old life and reputation because he wants to prove to Mercedes that he is still worthy of her love. In order to receive the reward of Mercedes' love, Edmond’s journey is also driven by his desire to gain a good reputation. Throughout the movie, he tries to clear his name and show that he is not the person who was wrongly said to be him. He wants to prove that he was framed. Edmond wants to regain his honor and show the world that he is not the man they claim he is; a man who is corrupt and only cares about himself. In conclusion, the rewards of revenge, love, and reputation motivated Edmond to continue and eventually reach the