Obstacles In The Odyssey By John Koal

Imagine going on a journey and not knowing the potential obstacles that will come up along the way. Characters or real human beings do not always know what is going to happen on their journeys nor do they know the consequences that may arise. A journey sometimes results in losing loved ones for a single chance for something good to come out of it. The people that complete a goal during these journeys have to be strong and brave. Two people that relate to this type of journey are Odysseus in the story of The Odyssey written by Homer, and John Kuol from the story “Escaping Death”. Both of these survivors learn that life is a long journey full of obstacles, but if one works hard and remains focused on a goal, he or she will find success in the

Circe is first viewed as a scary being that manipulates people. To prove that people thought she was a horrible person Homer writes, “I sensed a trap. Suddenly all vanished- blotted out- not one face showed again,though I sat there keeping watch for a good long time”(10.238.284-286). Circe turns some of his men into pigs and after an attempt of rescue and a strange turn of events falls in love with Odysseus and he is offered marriage to a beautiful goddess. Instead, he decides to focus on his own wife and child back at home in Ithaca. This shows that Odysseus works hard at making it home because his main love and focus is his family back home even if it means passing up one of the biggest offers of his

They both fought through the mental and physical pain of their journey, and even though they make it to where they want to be, there are still challenges that await them both. Odysseus is successful when he finally reaches his homeland ithaca but has to stay undercover from enemies that are there. Odysseus’s success in finally reaching home is still proven to have challenges when Homer writes, “ I'm a fugitive now ,you see.I killed Idomeneus’ son, Orsilochus, lightning on his legs , a man who beat all runners alive on that long island-what a racer!”(13.295.294-296). This quote from Odysseus proves that he is in fact back in Ithaca and is still being hunted and needs to stay undercover. John is successful in making it to freedom in America but still needs to make a living for his family to sustain itself. An example of John success is when he writes, “I'm in 11th grade at Boston English High School...It is important to get education” (Kuol)This quotes shows the fact that John has successfully free and is eager in getting an