ipl-logo

How Is Odysseus Portrayed In Book 9

674 Words3 Pages

In Book 9 of the Odyssey, Odysseus and his men trespassed into the home of Polyphemus, a cyclops, ate his cheese and milk, slaughtered some of his sheep for their meat, and finally, blinded Polyphemus, transgressing the rules of hospitality the Ancient Greeks valued. Poseidon, the cyclops’ father, cursed Odysseus to undertake a long and gruelling journey home. During his expedition home to Ithaca, the hero became the guest to many hosts; ultimately teaching him how to respect and honour the hospitality granted by his hosts. The Odyssey is a story of a veteran returning from war, but this story also revolves around the veteran himself learning to respect and uphold the rules of hospitality at the expense of reuniting with his family as a punishment …show more content…

Odysseus remained on the island for one year, sleeping with Circe and eventually impregnating her. By sleeping with Circe, Odysseus honoured the hospitality granted by Circe, who showed mercy towards Odysseus and his men. She transformed some of his men into pigs where she could’ve as easily killed them and potentially Odysseus too. In an almost perverted way, by having intercourse with Circe, Odysseus showed his respect towards the hospitality that Circe was providing. However, after a year, his crew begs him to leave Circe and go home. Though she promises eternal and continuous hospitality and care, Odysseus’ longing for his family overrides his duty to accept and respect Circe’s hospitality – as he had already been doing for a year. Odysseus misses his wife, son, and home too much, and almost in a form of gratitude for having her hospitality respected, Circe lets Odysseus leave. She also directs him to the Underworld to get directions to Ithaca. The Odyssey is more than just a story about the return of a veteran back home, it is also a story of a veteran understanding the importance of honouring a host. It is only once he learns this that Odysseus can come

Show More
Related
852 Words | 4 Pages

The Odyssey Commentary The Odyssey follows Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, on his long journey home after fighting in the Trojan war. As Odysseus is trying to return home he encounters many obstacles that present to be extremely difficult and challenging. However, these challenges help Odysseus grow as a character and teach him many valuable lessons. A particular trial he and his men faced was getting trapped in the Cyclops, Polyphemus' cave.

Read More
311 Words | 2 Pages

In the epic The Odyssey, Homer supports the Greek tradition of hospitality when Aeolus helps Odysseus get to Ithaca and King Alcinous provides Odysseus the resources to return home to reveal the thematic understanding that society should act towards others in a way that reflects how they would want others to act towards them. Homer’s display of the Greek value hospitality is shown when Aeolus assists Odysseus on his journey to Ithaca. Odysseus is gifted a “westward wind” and a bag possessing all the “stormy winds” (Homer 1224). When Odysseus receives these tokens of gratitude, it makes his trip easier for him and his men. With the wind, Odysseus’ men are not required to row the boat.

Read More
696 Words | 3 Pages

In this scene, Odysseus splits his men into two groups, one led by him and the other by Eurylochus. Eurylochus’s group stumble upon Circe’s house, and everyone apart from him enters, as he suspects that there is a trap. The goddess who owns the house turns out to be Circe, who turns the men into pigs and places them into pigsties. Eurylochus finds Odysseus and tells him to not go back to the house, Odysseus without hesitation, takes his sword and bow to confront Circe, even though Eurylochus has become petrified of the goddesses’ power, and knows the dangers of going. This shows how brave and courageous Odysseus is, as even though he knew that he himself may be turned into a pig, he still took the risk and tried to save his

Read More
1180 Words | 5 Pages

One of the destinations that Odysseus lands on is the witch Circe’s island. There, her beguiling voice attracts Odysseus’ men. When they arrive at her hall, Circe turns the men to pigs. Eurylochus urgently runs to Odysseus to alert him, to which “Odysseus leaves the ship and rushes to Circe’s hall” (Homer 758). Circe forces Odysseus and his men to stay for months until they finally beg to leave.

Read More
133 Words | 1 Pages

For Ancient Greece, treating strangers with hospitality is expected. In Odysseus’s recent encounters, he was washed up on the shore of Phaeacia and was welcomed by the king and queen. Though Odysseus is a stranger upon the land of Phaeacia, kindness and aid is brought to him with the words of Alcinoüs, the King of Phaeacia, “I will fix your setting forth, and you may rest secure… until you reach your land and home or anywhere you please.” Treating travelers kindly was quite common in Ancient Greece, thus making “The Odyssey” quite relatable to its listeners. For if you are kind to your visitor, not only will your land receive a good reputation, it also aids in the advancement of trade and culture.

Read More
704 Words | 3 Pages

TS1 (Thesis): In The Odyssey, Homer depicts Odysseus’ real foe as the theme of temptation with displays of hubris and lustrous goddesses, which portrays the importance of being vigilant to not submit to temptation. ST1: Homer depicts that Odysseus is determined to get home, but Odysseus succumbs to temptation when he leads his crew into the cyclops lair, eats the cyclops’ food, and demands for a gift, resulting in a protracted journey home. 1: Homer displays Odysseus as recklessly brave when he requests, “we’re at your knees, in hopes of… a guest-gift”(9.300) from the cyclops. 2: It is apparent that Odysseus has given into the temptation to be arrogant when he declares for the cyclops to give them, “a guest-gift,” after Odysseus and his men have broken into the cyclops lair, showing even further Odysseus’ isn’t vigilant to

Read More
618 Words | 3 Pages

The Odyssey takes the reader on a trip of showing Odysseus’s way back home, after held on an island with the goddess Calypso for years. With the aid of Pallas Athena and other courteous gods and goddesses, he could make it home to Ithaca, and annihilate the suitors that were ill-behaved. However, before his arrival in Ithaca, he encountered and was kindly embraced in numerous stranger’s homes. One of the prime themes in The Odyssey is hospitality. No matter who someone was or where an individual has been, they would always be met with kindheartedness.

Read More
664 Words | 3 Pages

Odysseus didn't have to sleep with Circe, he chose to. He also chose to stay with her for a year, proving that he was tempted to do these things he didn't see no harm, all he saw was a beautiful woman who was offering him pleasure and food. The temptation was also a problem for Odysseus when he heard the sirens. They were beautiful women who seduced men after being at sea for a long time. For instance, it says “But if you wish to listen, let the men tie you in the lugger, hand, and foot, back to the mast, lashed to the mast, so you may hear those harpies’ thrilling voices” (211); Odysseus knew his temptation of hearing the Sirens was going to make him want to stay.

Read More
1139 Words | 5 Pages

Other characters throughout the story, such as the Cyclops (Polyphemus), do not show hospitality, but rather harm the strangers whom they encounter. Throughout Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, several characters offer hospitality to strangers because they respect the power of the gods. Conversely, other characters do not respect the power of the gods, and show negative hospitality toward the strangers they encounter or show hospitality based on their fear of the gods. Throughout the duration of the epic poem, there are several examples of positive and negative hospitality in all aspects of Odysseus’ travels.

Read More
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
865 Words | 4 Pages

In The Odyssey Homer makes Odysseus’ journey to his beloved Ithaca excruciating. Odysseus encounters many friends and foes throughout his journey and has to be a leader throughout his experiences. As an example, he encounters Polyphemus and Poseidon, both of whom make his journey mentally and physically painful. Odysseus faces countless scenarios in which he has to save multiple people in those situations. He also encounters the suitors, who are a group of men that try to marry Penelope, when he returns to reclaim his home.

Read More
523 Words | 3 Pages

In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus encounters numerous challenges and trials on his journey home after the Trojan War. One of his memorable challenges was his encounter with Polyphemus, a Cyclops, which showcases Odysseus’ intelligence and leadership qualities while highlighting his arrogance. Odysseus and his men become trapped in the cave of Polyphemus after unknowingly taking shelter and consuming his food. The Cyclops was angered by this and devoured some of his men.

Read More
714 Words | 3 Pages

In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus goes on a journey that takes him away from his home and his family. Throughout his journey he has to be brave and find his way back home even with obstacles in the way. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer changes his perspective on hospitality in order to reveal his message to not disrespect the hospitality of others to his ancient Greek audience and reader. Hospitality throughout the epic develops from Circe showing disrespect and hospitality, to the ship's crew showing disrespect to the sun god while visiting his island, and then Telemachus showing hospitality towards a beggar even though it was really his father. Homer uses Circe and the crew to change his outlook on his message, do not disdain hospitality.

Read More
759 Words | 4 Pages

From Odysseus’ time with Calypso in Ogygia up until the moment he takes back his home and wife from the suitors in Ithaca, the struggles he faces help answer what makes for a good life. Homer uses Odysseus’ journey throughout “The Odyssey” to identify four aspects of a good life: mortality, honor, hospitality, and experiences. Homer reveals that mortality is necessary for a good life when Odysseus denies the opportunity for immortality that Calypso offers, he shows the significance of honor in his description of Odysseus’ bravery in the Trojan war and the consequent respect that Odysseus’ crew has for him, Homer reinforces the importance of hospitality in each city Odysseus travels to, and he conveys that experiences, good or bad, define a good life. The Greeks held their gods in high esteem and therefore when Homer or other characters in the epic refer to Odysseus as being “godlike,” this is one of the highest compliments he could receive.

Read More
450 Words | 2 Pages

The odyssey, an epic told by Homer in ancient greece, has many major themes following odysseus’s adventures. While Odysseus is sentenced to never return home after the Trojan War. He is overcoming challenges to return home to his wife penelope and his son Telemachus. Throughout the story major themes of loyalty, hospitality and vengeance are hidden within the plot. The story continues to show his heroic side with three major traits.

Read More

More about How Is Odysseus Portrayed In Book 9

Related Topics

Open Document