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Pitfalls Of Temptation In The Odyssey

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Temptation Traps Like A Cage
Pitfalls are more than just holes in the ground for trapping bears. In fact, getting caught in any risky or dangerous situation is a pitfall. Temptation can often be considered a one-way ticket to dangerous situations, even when the tempted least expect it. The tempted often feel inclined to take certain actions to fulfill their wants or needs, even if their reasoning is telling them it could put them in danger. This forms the very foundation of the idea of the pitfalls of temptation. The theme “pitfalls of temptation” are demonstrated in The Odyssey by Homer as well as in real life. And, no, this paper is not about how to make bear traps.
First, the “pitfalls of temptation” are demonstrated several times in the Odyssey. One example of this is when Odysseus’ men …show more content…

Odysseus decides to pray to the gods to end their hunger, but to no avail. A character named Eurylochus then suggests that the men eat the cattle, explaining that they should not listen to Odysseus because, in his opinion famine is the worst form of death. “‘Comrades,’ he said, ‘You’ve gone through everything: listen to what I have to say. All deaths are hateful to us, mortal wretches, but famine is the most pitiful, the worst end that man can come to’” (863-867). After this, the men agree with their fellow shipmate. They eat the cattle while Odysseus is sleeping. Lord Helios finds out and tells Zeus. The men don't realize the consequences of their actions, and Zeus shocks their ship with his thunderbolt, nearly destroying the entire ship. Another example of “the pitfalls of temptation” is when birdlike-creatures try to lure Odysseus’ men away from their boat. Odysseus warns his men that the creatures are coming, but they do not know when they will come. When the creatures approach Odysseus and his men, they start to lure them

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Despite this, they give in to their hunger, forgoing fasting for the prime cattle of the gods themselves. In parallel, Veasey is also a man of religion, yet as a priest, he is even more tightly bound to the laws of his god. Despite his apparent duties, Veasey is frequently shown to hedonistically over-indulge as well as greedily steal from those who deserve better than he, claiming that “the Good Lord is very flexible on the subject.” Both the crew of Odysseus and Veasey are slain by the end of the book. The two fall to the main antagonists of their

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When to decide to eat the cattle nothing was on their mind but themselves. Odysseus men decided to turn against their promise that they had made to Odysseus. They were told clearly not to eat the cattle. They were not suppose to displease Helios, the gods had understood their talents while humans did not. The men should of sacrificed their life instead of eating someone's

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Before leaving The Land of the Dead, Teiresias told Odysseus that they will face destruction and only he will survive to return home. After the prophecy, Odysseus and his men encountered Charybdis and Scylla. To avoid destruction, Odysseus demanded his men to sail the ship quickly through Scylla and hug onto the cliff. Odysseus did not want his men to lose hope and turn against him if they knew that only Odysseus would return home. To avoid his men going against him, “Odysseus does not tell his men of Circe’s last prophecy-that he will be the only survivor of their long journey,” (Homer 716-719).

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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

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Even though Odysseus strongly warned the crew about harming the cattle, they still followed Eurylochus’ lead. The decision to ignore Odysseus was detrimental, as after, Helios found out and was assisted by Zeus to bring harm to Odysseus and his men. A devastating storm hit the ship, killing the crew. Odysseus had emphasized to not harm the cattle, but the crew’s ignorance and disregard for Odysseus’ commands is what kills them in the

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Eurylochus convinced the crew to go behind Odysseus’ back and do what they were told not while Odysseus was sleeping by saying “Comrades, he said, you 've gone through everything; listen to what I say. All deaths are hateful to us, mortal wretches, but famine is the most pitiful, the worst end that a man can come to. Will you fight it?...better open your lungs to a big sea once for all then waste to skin and bones on a lonely island”(pg 841 L221-257). When Odysseus found out, he blamed Zeus because he 's the one who put Odysseus to sleep. Helios asked Zeus

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Have you ever felt tempted to cheat on your homework or on a test? Have you been prideful of what your status or accomplishments? In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, the brave hero Odysseus encountered these obstacles of temptations and pride that people today still face. Therefore, temptation and pride were Odysseus’ greatest enemy throughout his journey back to Ithaca, as they distracted him on his voyage, prevented him from getting home, and displeased the gods.

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We can depict this through a quote found in chapter 9, “A wind from seaward served him, drove us there. We are survivors, these good men and I.” Being the heartless creature the cyclops is, he still goes on to eat Odysseus’ men, shocking them as they believed they should have gotten better treatment and a gracious greeting from the Cyclops as if they were noble heroes. However, soon Odysseus learns that

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