ipl-logo

Examples Of Rite Of Passage In The Odyssey

1513 Words7 Pages

Odysseus’ Cocoon:
The Timeless Transformation Of Soldiers During Their Return From War

The concept of a rite of passage is a ritual that accompanies one’s transformation from one status to another. Rites of passage typically have a three-part structure consisting of a separation from the community, the liminal or transformative period, and the reintegration into society. The Odyssey acts as a rite of passage that facilitates a transformation between two identities. Odysseus’ journey home is used as a device that allows him to process the events of the war and to prepare to reintegrate into life at home. This is the expected path for a soldier to take, one where, if they are able to make it back from war, they easily fit back into their life …show more content…

For the first few events of his journey, while he is physically within a liminal space, he still has status in the eyes of his men and is still functioning in his identity of a soldier. After his interaction with the Cyclops (bk. 9), he begins to be separated from this identity, as can be seen through the mutiny of his companions when they release Aeolus’ winds. (bk. 10, ll. 34-50) This continues at his next stop, where almost all of his men are killed by the Laestrygonians. (bk. 10, ll. 80-132) At this point, Odysseus and his remain men are truly on the margins of society and everyone they interact with from this point on, until Odysseus arrives in Phaeacia, is a marginal character with some supernatural ties. This includes Gods (Calypso, Circe and Helios), the dead, monsters (Scylla), and natural forces (Charybdis). By the time that Odysseus arrives in Phaeacia he has no identity, to the extent that he is concealing his true identity from those he meets. (bk. 7, ll. 14-18) This portion of Odysseus’ journey appears to mark the complete breakdown of his previous identity and he is able to exit the liminal phase and begin growing into his new

Show More
Related

How Does Odysseus Show Courage

232 Words | 1 Pages

Odysseus is a man, who has been working on going home for twenty years. He is a leader of his men, and will never give up until he gets to his goal or going home to his family. He is faithful to all his men, and he never deceived them. The faithful Odysseus is very hard working trying to help his men get home.

Read More

Examples Of Dimock In The Odyssey

1073 Words | 5 Pages

The physical journey, filled with malicious obstacles, Odysseus endures on his journey home to Ithaca is symbolic of a much greater development, both mentally and emotionally, which reinforces his identity. In the Odyssey, Homer has a knack to describe each character with profound detail. Odysseus especially has innumerable characteristics that describe his personality. However, his endeavor and struggle miraculously helps him to discover a new identity. Odysseus’s true identity, Dimock, too, undoubtedly believes that Odysseus’s journey back is a road to establish his identity.

Read More

Examples Of Arrogance In The Odyssey

439 Words | 2 Pages

An epic hero is someone who is characterized commonly on their nobility and bravery. However ,there are more attributes epic heros can posses. For example Odysseus, the protagonist in Homer's retelling of “The Odyssey”, shows many forms of excessive arrogance and pomposity. After conquering Troy, Odysseus and his men set off on their way home.

Read More

Odysseus Crew In The Odyssey

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.

Read More

The Role Of Suffering In Homer's Odyssey

1141 Words | 5 Pages

From the onset of the book, death is a recurring event, persistent throughout the entire poem. In many ways, the Odyssey is the story of the death of all of Odysseus’ friends and fellow fighters during their return home from conquering Troy. These deaths are particularly heartbreaking to Odysseus because, normally, one would expect that all dying would conclude with the end of the war against Troy. In this case, however, the anticipation of his return to his family at home became a series of tragedies. This sequence of events changes his view and molds Odysseus’ character in regard to his surviving friends and family.

Read More

Penelope Struggles In The Odyssey

1601 Words | 7 Pages

Odysseus encounters many monsters and immortals throughout his homecoming journey. He faces everything from Sea Nymphs to Sirens, from Lotus Eaters to Cyclopes, and from Enchantresses to even the Gods themselves. Because Odysseus stuck through and pursued on, he finally returned to his wife and child. When Odysseus arrives in his homeland, Athena directs him to Eumaeus’ hut where he meets his son. At first, his son refuses to believe his father has come back, but eventually convinces himself his father has truly returned.

Read More

Is Odysseus A Hero

500 Words | 2 Pages

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.

Read More

The Transformation Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

688 Words | 3 Pages

Naturally, he has much to be proud of: his sexy and loyal wife, his bravery, and his victorious battles from the Trojan War and beyond. However, his arrogance creates a weakness in his character that negatively impacts himself and the people around him. The evolution in Odysseus’s personality turns him from an arrogant flaunter to a humble man, and demonstrates that the strifes he encounters during his journey home is not simply new experiences, but also his beginning of a profound revelation. Starting from the middle of the mountain, Odysseus’s new transformation will allow him to soar to the top with eagle

Read More

Examples Of Ithaka In The Odyssey

959 Words | 4 Pages

A journey is to reach your destination, but what matters is what goes on within your journey. “The only journey is the one within”. {“Rainer Maria Rilke Quotes.” } For instance people go on journeys to reach their destination, but throughout the journey there will be sentimental moments that will mean a lot to Odysseus, like how he lost his crew. Also in the poem Ithaka it talks about how Odysseus has gained new things on the way of the journey, he dosen't need Ithaka to make him rich.

Read More

Hospitality In The Odyssey

757 Words | 4 Pages

In this book, Odysseus has been disguised by Athena as a beggar who has traveled the world. He has been dropped back on Ithaca by the Phaeacians. On his journey back to Ithaca Odysseus has changed greatly. As the prophecy has said he has returned home in a stranger 's ship, without his crew, and as a broken man. After Athena disguises him, Odysseus goes to his loyal swine herder, Eumaeus.

Read More

Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe Anxiety

1102 Words | 5 Pages

Children in American schools face many challenges everyday. Two specific challenges presented in the movie that impacted the social development of the children is the excessive amount of work that they had to complete on a daily basis, including extra curricular activities because of fear of failure and the lack of equity in certain schools based on socioeconomic status. These challenges discussed in the documentary are truly consistent with the research presented in class and readings because they show how the pressure to succeed and the environment in which children in America learn has greatly influenced their social development and lives. For example, in the article Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe Anxiety?, The New York times talks about a case of a young boy named Jake who attempts suicide

Read More

Examples Of Justice In The Odyssey

755 Words | 4 Pages

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.

Read More

Quotes That Show Courage In Odysseus

529 Words | 3 Pages

Throughout the story, Odysseus demonstrates his courage that ultimately allows him to survive. One of these moments was during his journey back to Ithaca, where he faces a race of man eating giants called the Cyclops. Odysseus originally stops his ship there to relish a feast while on his journey back to Ithaca, but while doing so, out of curiosity explores the island. Soon, he finds a deserted house and decides to wait of the owner. The owner was unknowingly one the Cyclops, named Polyphemus.

Read More

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder In The Odyssey

933 Words | 4 Pages

Symptoms such as depression, impulsive anger, and paranoia continue to affect Odysseus in his life, though he and others might fail to recognize it. While The Odyssey might be a fictional epic, the issues it addresses are still very real even in today’s society. Post traumatic stress disorder is still a significant issue, and though rates of the illness have improved, work still needs to be done. However, the solution to PTSD is not reducing the impact of warfare, but instead, providing a better, more welcoming environment for returning soldiers like Odysseus. This story might still provide comfort to soldiers today, because they witness Odysseus overcome his adversities, giving hope that they too can

Read More

Disrespecting The Gods In Homer's Odyssey

1204 Words | 5 Pages

In Homer’s Odyssey, gods and other supernatural beings dominated every aspect of mortal life. All living things and phenomena that occur in the world can be traced back to the gods. Seeing as how gods are responsible for the lives of mortals and the state of the natural world, performing deeds that anger the gods would prove to be disastrous while performing deeds that please the gods would prove to be beneficial. Odysseus’ journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War was took ten years due to angering gods like Poseidon and Helios. However, it was through Athena’s aid that he was able to make it back home.

Read More

More about Examples Of Rite Of Passage In The Odyssey

Related Topics

Open Document