The Odyssey Many people deem Odysseus to be an archetype hero. But was he really? Sure, he won many wars, but did he show the characteristics that matter? No!
In part one of Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus uses his epic hero qualities to help him out on his quest to get back home to Ithaca. He’s shows superb intelligence when fighting the cyclopes in “Book 9.” That’s a quality of superhuman intelligence that Odysseus possessed all throughout his entire journey. Another epic hero quality that helped Odysseus was help from Greek gods and goddesses. In part two of Homer’s Odyssey, Athena helped out Odysseus when he got back to his home land.
Telemachus could not grow into this type of leader in his current mindset. Through Telemechus' relationship with Athena, the goddess of wisdom, Telemachus received the necessary boost of confidence which sparked his personal growth of making it his Odyssey. Athena told Telemachus that he "[had] to stop acting like a child [and had] outgrown [this immature behavior]" (1.313-314). Athena's wise words had a significant impact that set in motion Telemachus' journey to leadership. Telemachus was moved by what Athena said and realized that "[his] father is not coming home" (1.435).
Epic poetry, known for its grand descriptions of glorious accomplishments, revolves around an honorable protagonist. As the hero faces adversity in his journey, he triumphs in fleeting moments of bravery. He often exhibits his physical strength to overcome his hardships, manifesting a story with a violent nature. In Homer’s The Odyssey, King Odysseus of Ithaca struggles to return to his loving wife and son after having fought in the Trojan War.
A hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. Anyone who puts themselves before others not for recognition or an award, but because it is the right thing to do, is a true hero. In "The Odyssey," written by Homer is an epic poem about a man named Odysseus and his crewmates competing against the power of the gods to return to their homeland, Ithaca. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus.
Odysseus did the right thing he took back what was his. I think that when they took it over they should have had a better plan. They should have taken it when they were trying to get Odysseus girlfriend. Odysseus new that they were going to take it over. When you take over a house you should have men at the front door watching for people.
Athena disguises herself and reveals to Telemachus that his father is alive but tells him to sail in search of more information, “Do you hear me: As a goddess, yesterday/ you came to us, command me to sail/ across the shadowed sea, that I might learn/ about my long-gone father’s coming home” (32). Athena has Telemachus best interest at heart and by commanding him to find his father she played a big role in helping him shape himself and grow into the man he was destined to be. He takes Athenas’ advice and finally comes to the realization that he needs to stand up to the suitors, “Throughout all those years/ when I was still a boy, you suitors squandered/ the riches that were mine. But I am grown;/ and listening to the words of others, I/ can understand…” (33). Telemachus then sets off to find more information on his father and his possible whereabouts “I’ll come fetch what you’ve prepared.
She instructs him to “sail in quest of news of your long-lost father.” (86). Using her disguise, Athena reaches Telemachus and offers him wisdom. Telemachus takes this advice to heart and sets out to find his father. By offering this information about Odysseus, Athena inspires Telemachus.
Even though people typically believe that the main hero of Homer’s the Odyssey is Odysseus himself, the true hero of the Odyssey is Penelope. Even though her entire story isn’t told in the epic poem, you can still tell that she went through struggles and trials just as her husband Odysseus did. Along with going through trials, she comes up with witty ideas in order to overcome them. She is very clever, and she also plans long-term. She is loyal to Odysseus and faithfully waits for his return.
Telemachus gives a speech to the suitors scolding them for wrecking Odysseus’ wealth. This causes Telemachus to lose faith in his aptitude to accomplish Athena’s plan. “Look how my countrymen-the suitors most of all, pernicious bullies-foil each move I make…” (Fagles 102). Athena is able to persuade Telemachus through her encouraging and sympathetic words. “Telemachus, you’ll lack neither courage nor sense from this day on.”
First, with the relation between Athena and Odysseus, Athena has this soft spot for the courageous and sharp-witted Odysseus. Athena has this liking
Telemachus has lost all hope that his father is still alive so he believes there is no way of getting rid of the suitors. Telemachus tells Athena, “Yet, were Odysseus to return,
Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, started off as an inexperienced, scared young boy due to the lack of presence of a father figure in his life. After many tough experiences, Telemachus developed into a strong, courageous young man. One of the characters that had the most influence on the development of Telemachus is Athena. She helped Telemachus on his journey to finding his father and developed into a young man. The powerful goddess with “flashing sea-gray eyes” (Homer: 2.476), Athena, has had the greatest influence on Telemachus’ growth.
Athena asks her father Zeus,to help free Odysseus and save Telemachus from the suitors. Zeus said that he would. He tell Athena that Odysseus will be on a raft for twenty days. On the twentieth arrive in Scheria ,where he would be given a good ship and good crew. Zeus had sent Hermes to Calypso to tell the goddess about the gods decree.
“Tomorrow you call an assembly and make a speech to these heroes, with the gods as witness. The suitors you order to scatter to their own.” -Athena, (Mentes) (290) Athena cares for Telemachus by helping him get control of his palace and kingdom again. She also wants to help Telemachus by telling him how to find his father, “And my advise to you, if you will take it, is to launch your best ship,with twenty oarsmen,and go make inquiries about your long-absent father.” -Athena, (Mentes) (292) Athena wants the best for Telemachus, so she gives Telemachus this advice.
