Excellence In The Odyssey

Effects of Excellence on Excellence In Homer’s Odyssey, excellence, or arete, in the form of cunning and physical prowess displayed by Penelope and Telemachus, respectively, do not hinder, but aid and benefit the excellence of Odysseus. Telemachus uses his strength, inherited from his father, to help Odysseus in his slaughter of the suitors. Penelope’s sly idea to hold a contest for her admirers allows Odysseus to reveal himself and reclaim his home. In the Books of Samuel, Jonathan and Samuel are often overshadowed by David (despite being excellent on their own) because David rescued Israel from the corrupted king Saul. Samuel’s greatness in prophecy create issues for David when it’s taken away by his death. Jonathan’s death threatens David’s

But, the story doesn’t elaborate on how she tricks the suitors with her cleverness. Penelope furthers her husband’s dialogue by initiating the contest where the suitors are instructed to string Odysseus’s bow and shoot it through twelve axe heads. She uses this opportunity to not only make all of the suitors appear foolish, but to give Odysseus the opportunity for a dramatic reveal to the foul men, so that they will know who killed them. Odysseus only has this opportunity because of Penelope’s cunning mind. He is only able to re-establish his home, therefore completing nostos, because of Penelope’s cunning. Penelope is the only reason that Odysseus wants to go home, and the only reason that he is able to establish his home once he arrives. Penelope’s cunning compliments that of her husband’s, because it highlights the fact that they are of one mind, which affirms Odysseus’s excellence in knowing. Penelope knows that no man can achieve this feat she has asked the suitors to perform, except

But, we discount him because we tend to not be able to disconnect him from Saul, who was corrupted and abandoned by God. David is really only able to be an excellent king because of Jonathan, almost how Odysseus relied on Penelope to reveal his excellence to the suitors. Jonathan rescues David from his father, the most notable of which occur when he vows to shoot his arrows in locations that correspond with David’s level of safety. David wouldn't even be alive were it not for Jonathan’s archery skills and being a great friend. When Jonathan dies, David loses the person he was closest with, whose love was stronger than any woman’s, which hinders his excellence through his grief and