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Examples Of Obstacles In The Odyssey

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Heroes face god-like judgment though the obstacles they face, and they let it extend to the judgment of their identity and their characteristics. This is what all heroes have to traverse in their tales, it places their actions into effect, to show who they are in the face of adversity. This is done by many heroes from many tales, such an example could be Beowulf, in his journey as an old king famed at a young age, slayer of monsters, but one stands from him and all others: Odysseus, the brave king from Homer’s epic the Odyssey. This tale speaks of the journey of Odysseus returning home from the Trojan war, facing wrath of gods and other abominations in his realm. His actions throughout his trek home shows some of the traits that Odysseus possesses, …show more content…

In particular, the cyclopes; Odysseus had formulated a plan that would only work if he was brave enough to perform it, not entirely knowing the outcome of it. He and his men have “bored [his] great eye socket / while blood ran out around the red-hot bar” (382-383) with hopes that the great giant will grant them freedom by accident. This display of his true courage when facing monsters and the obstacles they create on his journey home. He has to come to a conclusion on plans that he doesn’t even know will work fully and he will also have to enact them too. The rival which is the unknown is visibly fought by him in efforts to take a gamble on his life and his crew's life with one …show more content…

This is done in many ways, but these two come from temptation and fear of the things that lie in front of him. As Odysseus prepares to enter the murky depths of the underworld to receive insight for the rest of his journey home. He “draw[s] [his] sword to keep / the surging phantoms from the bloody pit / till [he] should know the presence of Teirêsias “ (line 50-53). While he is preparing physically, it too shows his mental preparation for what may come face to face with him. He has to avoid succumbing to the phantoms while he wanders in search of Teirêsias and the insight he has to give for the rest of Odysseus’ travels. As said, he also shows mentally courage through the resistance of temptations of choosing Calypso over his wife. As calypso questions why Odysseus still imagines his wife, he responds to her by

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734 Words | 3 Pages

He has to overcome his foes and his environment. In the cavern with the cyclops, Odysseus must fight to survive. He and his men have to use wit and strategy to escape the cave. After the first attack on his men Odysseus knew he would need to develop a plan to survive. Odysseus and his men are put in danger as they encounter their foe:“Neither reply nor pity came from him, 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” (Homer 903).

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1304 Words | 6 Pages

so my mother and father calls me, all my friends” (223).This just shows how quick of a thinker Odysseus is. He was able to quickly make a name that would later help him escape. Then, while the Cyclops was sleeping, Odysseus “Hoisting high that olive stake with its stabbing point, straight into the monsters eye they rammed hit hard” (223). Now this is the Arête part of Odysseus we see. He stabs the monster’s eyes with no fear and no trouble and still Odysseus manages to escape.

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680 Words | 3 Pages

Socrates once said, “All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine.” These words by Socrates highlight the terrifying voyage that Odysseus takes over the span of twenty years and how through the souls of the dead, virtue, pride and passion allowed Odysseus, the main character, to grow into an epic hero. In The Odyssey, the author Homer, takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey with the use of figurative language and literary devices wherein Odysseus becomes a hero in both the physical and the spiritual sense. Odysseus is undoubtedly a flawed man, a mortal man, as evidenced by the language of the novel, but it is in his journey, through the obstacles he faces that he grows into a heroic man by utilizing his ingenuity, and comes away from the journey with pride and passion. Odysseus is

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210 Words | 1 Pages

People and their actions are what determines their future. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus starts out with numerous ships and men. However, the only one who ends up surviving the multitude of obstacles is himself. The reason for this outcome is supported in the transition paragraph at the end of Book 12, which says “Odysseus tries to persuade his men to bypass Thrinacia, the island of the sun god, Helios, but they insist on landing.”

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955 Words | 4 Pages

This suffering is so intrinsic to Odysseus’s character that he describes himself as ‘bound to endure’ its cycles until death releases him. The result of this foreshadowing is the characterisation of a Homeric hero as one who needs to suffer and overcome suffering in order to actualise himself as a hero in the narrative. The following passage that describes Odysseus’s prophesy is also incredibly reminiscent of his previous adventures. “He said I must pass through many cities, holding in my hands a balanced oar till I came to men who know nothing of the sea” (283).

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743 Words | 3 Pages

They poured sweet sleep upon my eyes” (311. 320-338). Odysseus is showing authority by telling his ‘friends’ of the triggers on the island. If they are to interact incorrectly with it then they will be met with a consequence. Odysseus is showing strategic planning because he is predicting the future and taking the measures he thinks of to avoid harm. By doing this, he is taking into mind the well being of his men and himself so they can stay safe.

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544 Words | 3 Pages

But the most dangerous action that was a barrier towards his motives of going home was with the Cyclopes. This was when his mens were killed from the Cyclopes. This is an example of the danger that Odysseus faces when returning back to his kingdom that also affected the lives of his fellow mens. But this danger we know that fate is also on Odysseus side. We know this because when Odysseus want his four men's to draw the shortest straw, those four mens that was with Odysseus, just happen to draw the shortest straw.

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1764 Words | 8 Pages

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.

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373 Words | 2 Pages

His actions prove that he is courageous because although he knew of the danger ahead he decided to proceed. Self discipline, just like courage, is a strength that was continuously shown by Odysseus in the selection in which he reveals himself to his son. For instance,  it is stated in lines 1124-1128 of page 599, “If they make fun of me in my own courtyard, let your ribs cage up your springing heart, no matter what I suffer if they pull me by the heels or practise shots at me, to drive me out.” This quote helps one understand why Odysseus could be categorized as disciplined by illustrating a way in which Odysseus’ self-discipline was enhanced, after all, not all people would be able to control their emotions after being humiliated in their

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1608 Words | 7 Pages

We all face many obstacles throughout our life. Obstacles such as going to work, exercising, or even making your bed. Since our lives are our own journeys we all face different obstacles. John Kuol is an 18 year old who has been on an inspirational journey his whole life. The title of his story is called Escaping Death, and John Kuol did literally had escaped death,The obstacles he had faced were some that most people will never even face in their entire lives.

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654 Words | 3 Pages

Not only does he display qualities of an epic hero in times of conflict, but he also does in times of peace. Odysseus’ cunning intelligence is seen in a time of conflict when he and his men are in the Land of the Cyclopes and are tasked with the job of escaping the one-eyed giant, Polyphemus. Given the intense circumstances they are under, it is Odysseus’ job, as a leader, to lead his men to escape. Being the shrewd character he is, Odysseus plots to sedate Polyphemus with wine. He

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231 Words | 1 Pages

Odysseus is not only courageous, but he’s also very determined like myself. When we set our sights on something we go and get it. Meanwhile, Odysseus is trying to return home he says to the Cyclops “... though [my] land lies far” (896). His meaning to that indicates that he’s determined to get home and see his love one at all costs. That’s just one of the ways he shows that he’s set his sights on getting home.

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819 Words | 4 Pages

In the Adventures of Odysseus, the narrative points to the fact that even those individuals who appear to be untouchable or immortal have fundamental flaws and that pride and hubris make them vulnerable. Odysseus is a famed warrior who has been away from his home for 19 long years due to the Trojan War and a troubled journey home. His adventures include fighting a mighty Cyclops, outwitting the sorceress, Circe, and traveling to the land of the dead. When the Gods finally smile down on him and help him find his way home, he faces more hardships, for there are many suitors of his wife that would kill him if they knew who he was. Throughout the story Odysseus shows strength and fortitude through his hardships, but again and again his pride leads him

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755 Words | 4 Pages

But, after angering Poseidon by blinding his one eyed cyclops son, Odysseus must go through brutal situations to get home thanks to the fuming god. The theme, the search for justice, is very prevalent in this text because of the fight between Odysseus and the suitors, the reunion of Odysseus and his wife Penelope and when Odysseus visits his father Laertes and Athena must restore peace because of the fight that breaks out there. To begin, the theme searching for justice is shown clearly when Odysseus returns home and kills the suitors. The text states, “Odysseus took aim and hit him with an arrow in the throat.

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541 Words | 3 Pages

Odysseus is an epic hero because of his bravery and confidence during every obstacle throughout his journey In Part 1 whie Odysseus is about to come across cyclops cave, he says “I brought along and victuals in a bag, for in my bones I knew some towering brute would be upon so soon- all outward power, a wild man, ignorant of civility. “ Odysseus is showing his bravery of not being petrified of what he might come across, like the cyclops. Odysseus has no intention of harming them, but he is not sure what their intention is. This example is important because not only does it show confidence in himself, he also shows confidence in his men. In Part 2 Odysseus also shows his confidence in his men in part 2 where Eurylochus says, “Are you flesh and blood, Odysseus, to endure more than a man can?

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