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.
So the wretched stranger finally revealed his true colors. With weapons at hand facing only our bare fists, he ingressed our leader, Antinous square in the throat. As his body lay limp, we scoured our surroundings however, our arms were not there. We believed this to be a trap, however, our faces went white in horror when the stranger spoke the words “You reckless fools shall pay for trespassing.” Frantically we prayed, prayed that our comrade’s death was a calamity, but to no avail, as Odysseus it was.
Summary- The book starts with Telemachus arriving at Eumaeus’s hut. He finds the swineherd discussing with a stranger of whom is his long lost father Odysseus in disguise. Eumaeus suggests that the stranger stays with Telemachus in his home but Telemachus is fearful of what ham could come upon the stranger and himself. So Telemachus asks Eumaeus to notify Penelope that he is now home, and Eumaeus willingly does so on his own.
In the epic poem The Odyssey, written by Homer and translated by Robert Fitzgerald and another version translated by Samuel Butler, Odysseus journey is relevant to today because he had to leave for war in Troy for ten years and then for another ten years had to get himself and his men home leaving his son Telemachus and his wife Penelope behind in Ithaca; in 2015 some fathers go off to war and are gone for so long that are considered dead or missing in action and have to find their way back; then when they come back everything get’s changed around. Some of the challenges Odysseus faced were sea monsters (Scylla and Charybdis), cyclops, going to and from the land of the dead, lotus eaters, getting stuck on islands with strange women, sirens, etc. (not in order). Men that have gone MIA/considered dead would have to have faced pirates if they were trying to get back home overseas, enemy’s capturing them, being shipwrecked, etc.
Odysseus makes the journey back to Ithaca because he wants to see Penelope. Even when he gets trapped on Calypso’s island for seven years, slowing him down. Eventually, Calypso lets a forlorn Odysseus go by a demand from Hermes. Despite Calypso being the most beautiful being in the world, Odysseus wants to leave, which causes Calypso to ask “‘Son of Laertes… after all these years with me, you still desire your old home? Even so, I wish you well.
Odysseus is one of the most legendary heroes since ancient times. He is the type of person you picture when you hear the word “hero”. He is extremely noble and brave, but sometimes his other traits are overlooked. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus shows attributes of cleverness, altruism, and courage, and the use of these characteristics could be perceived as heroic or the opposite. Odysseus demonstrates profound cleverness throughout the book.
Odysseus encounters many monsters and immortals throughout his homecoming journey. He faces everything from Sea Nymphs to Sirens, from Lotus Eaters to Cyclopes, and from Enchantresses to even the Gods themselves. Because Odysseus stuck through and pursued on, he finally returned to his wife and child. When Odysseus arrives in his homeland, Athena directs him to Eumaeus’ hut where he meets his son. At first, his son refuses to believe his father has come back, but eventually convinces himself his father has truly returned.
Do not try to keep me, for I would be on my way at once. As for any present you may be disposed to make me, keep it till I come again, and I will take it home with me. You shall give me a very good one, and I will give you one of no less value in return.” This is Athena talking to Telemachus, Odysseus son. Athena, throughout the epic disguises herself as Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus.
What really makes someone seem conceited and arrogant? Maybe it’s when someone does something admirable and they have to mention there name to let everyone know who they are? Or when that person is challenged by others and can’t resist a chance to make himself stand out? Or is it when a certain someone tries to fight all the men of a town all by himself? Well, a godlike man by the name Odysseus proves himself to be conceited and arrogant through all of those scenarios.
During this period when Odysseus manages his crew, he channels his courage, perseverance, and intelligence to succeed. Calypso is a goddess who welcomes Odysseus on her island. This is a kind act, but Calypso doesn’t let him leave for eight years. Over this period of time, Odysseus becomes homesick and wants to return home to his wife, Penelope. Calypso is a powerful woman, which is something ancient Greeks feared.
She remains faithful to her husband after his 20 years of absence. Penelope cleverly tricks her suitors to delaying her hand in marriage as she pines for Odysseus’ return. Telemachus– Prince of Ithaca and son of Odysseus and Penelope. Telemachus goes on a quest to find his father or learn of his father’s death with the goddess Athena’s assistance.
“The man of twists and turns believes that he has escaped all of his woes! As simple as that; the great Odysseus seems to have overcome all obstacles blocking him from returning to his lavish life. Well not so fast, mortal!” shrieked the immortal Poseidon, outraged after witnessing Odysseus and his son emerge victorious from the bloody battle against the suitors. Swiftly, Poseidon descended to the rocky isle of Ithaca, taking the form of his son; Polyphemus, the son that the prideful King Odysseus blinded so cleverly.
My heart is lost and the hope of it coming back is hard to believe. It has been 20 years since I have seen my long lost love, Odysseus. Gone off to the trojan war, and yet to return, through all I still surprisingly have hope. Men of riches and great fortune have been tearing my hope for many long years, telling me of my husband’s false death. The words of my husbands death leaves me lonely and depressed.
What does Hercules and Iron Man have in common? The answer is that they are both heroes. The textbook definition of a hero is someone who is admired for their courage and noble achievements. Obviously, both Hercules and Iron Man are courageous and have many honorable achievements under their belt, but what about Odysseus, from The Odyssey by Homer? Was Odysseus a hero?
To begin with, the story starts with Odysseus' wife, Penelope, having their child Telemicas. Unfortunately, on the same day, Odysseus has to leave to fight in the Trojan War. Odysseus knows that he will be away from his family for ten years, but what he doesn't know is that his ten years away will turn into twenty. Many years pass after the Trojan War ends, but Odysseus still doesn't return home.
