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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder In The Odyssey

933 Words4 Pages

The Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs claim that PTSD is a growing epidemic, with roughly 5.2 sufferers of the illness in the U.S. today. Homer’s The Odyssey illustrates the story of Odysseus after the Trojan war and his journey back home to Ithaca. During his expedition, Odysseus faces many physically and emotionally challenging situations that affect him psychologically in the future. Many scholars recognize Odysseus as a brave warrior in Homer’s The Odyssey, but in fact, Odysseus is a soldier who displays evident symptoms, including depression, excessive anger, and paranoia, of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or a “psychological injury,” as psychologist Jonathan Shay refers it. Throughout Odysseus’s story, Odysseus shows signs of suicidal thoughts, a symptom of those who suffer from depression as a result of a psychological illness. In book 12, Odysseus and his crew attempt to move past the sirens, with the help of Circe. The Sirens are seducers, acting as an obstacle to the crew’s journey, and they are capable of hypnotizing anybody who listens to their …show more content…

Symptoms such as depression, impulsive anger, and paranoia continue to affect Odysseus in his life, though he and others might fail to recognize it. While The Odyssey might be a fictional epic, the issues it addresses are still very real even in today’s society. Post traumatic stress disorder is still a significant issue, and though rates of the illness have improved, work still needs to be done. However, the solution to PTSD is not reducing the impact of warfare, but instead, providing a better, more welcoming environment for returning soldiers like Odysseus. This story might still provide comfort to soldiers today, because they witness Odysseus overcome his adversities, giving hope that they too can

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Odysseus Dependence In Homer's Odyssey

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Although today people and facilities are putting their time and money into researching ways to help veterans, the focus must remain on assisting veterans to regain independence in civilian life. As the world evolves, new methods will come up, which will make it easier for veterans to become self-dependent. In The Odyssey, Odysseus depends on his faith in the gods to restore him to his throne in Ithaca. The Odyssey is an epic poem about the leader of Ithaca, Odysseus.

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Odysseus Use Of PTSD In Homer's Odyssey

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Upon Odysseus’s arrival back at home it is likely he may have developed PTSD. PTSD is a tragic disease one may develop after being in a harsh, combat situation, experiencing trauma such as sexual assault or rape, and even from having a child. The Odyssey is an example of a harsh, combat situation which sets the cause for a character in the story to develop the condition. After encountering grueling and brutal battles some may even consider it highly likely. During Odysseus’s trip tragic situations occurred where Odysseus tried to help but unfortunately he saw many of his men die.

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Imagine being apart from your family for over ten years, fighting for your life in a war, and in the many battles and problems you will face on your way home from war. Would you be able to fight a cyclops, pass a dangerous whirlpool and have to face the fact that your crew betrayed you? In the novel The Odyssey written by Homer, Odysseus must do all of these things and more. He has been away from his wife, son and many other family members for over ten years now, fighting for his life on his journey home after fighting in the Trojan war.

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Odysseus And Greed In Homer's The Odyssey

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“Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.” -Erich Fromm ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer, follows the story of Odysseus, a great Greek hero. It tells of his venture to Troy, to lead his army in the Trojan War, and his separation from loved ones and his kingdom for twenty years. However, the novel mainly focuses on the story of his homecoming and all he, and many others, had to endure while he was returning from abroad.

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Is Odysseus A Hero

500 Words | 2 Pages

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An epic hero is someone who is characterized commonly on their nobility and bravery. However ,there are more attributes epic heros can posses. For example Odysseus, the protagonist in Homer's retelling of “The Odyssey”, shows many forms of excessive arrogance and pomposity. After conquering Troy, Odysseus and his men set off on their way home.

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Odysseus Crew In The Odyssey

1764 Words | 8 Pages

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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.

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