Category: Odysseus

Introduction to the Archetypal Hero: Odysseus

A hero is defined as a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal’. The definition of a hero is someone who is respected for doing something great and is respected for doing so. An average hero, or an archetypal hero, also has flaws to accompany his heroic acts. Archetypal heroes are people who do noble or heroic things, accomplish their goals or are looked up to by others. Archetypal heroes also must have a crucial flaw, that serves as an imperfection that can often affect the hero themselves or others around them. Odysseus, the protagonist in the epic, ‘The Odyssey, is a good example of an archetypal hero. Odysseus does so by accomplishing his goals and overcoming obstacles but has flaws like hubris that can get him involved in new conflicts.

Odysseus’s Heroic Traits and Accomplishments

Odysseus shows the traits of a hero by accomplishing his goals, and overcoming any obstacles he happens to face. For example, in the section of the book where Odysseus and his crew are about to pass the island of the sirens, that also poses a great deal of danger to them all. Odysseus chooses to be honest to his crew, and explain how they are in danger: ‘Friends… it’s wrong for only one or two to know the revelations that lovely Circe made to me alone. I’ll tell you all, so we can die with our eyes wide open now or escape out fate and certain death together.’ (Book 12, lines 166-170) Odysseus was being honest to his crew, to tell them to prepare for danger, telling them that people will die and that nobody will be safe along their journey. This is a heroic act because Odysseus is doing something that can save the lives of his crew. Odysseus also saves his crew from the sirens as they are about to encounter them: ‘Now with a sharp sword I sliced an ample wheel of beeswax down into pieces, kneaded them in my two strong hands and the wax soon grew soft, worked by my strength and Helios’ burning rays, the sun at high noon, and I stopped the ears of my comrades one by one.’ (Book 12, lines 189-193). By deafening his crew, Odysseus is saving them from the Sirens. The Sirens kill people by drawing anyone passing their island with their songs. After the person is drawn in, and because the only way to reach the island is by boat, their ship would hit the rocky perimeter of the island, destroying their ship, and leaving the crew to drown. By making it so that his crew cannot hear the Sirens, they won’t be drawn in by the Sirens. This impacts Odysseus’ journey by making his crew survive one of the obstacles they all had to face. This is a characteristic of a heroic act by saving lives, and accomplishing his goals, because after doing this, Odysseus and his crew are able to pass the island without being drawn toward the Sirens, resulting in nobody dying. Overall, Odysseus is heroic by saving lives and overcoming obstacles.

The Flaw of Hubris: A Complex Character

However, even though Odysseus shows heroism, and accomplishes his goals, he does have flaws that can compromise his actions. For example, during the encounter with the Sirens, Odysseus had previously heard that no man had ever passed the Sirens and survived. Odysseus however, wanted to prove this theory wrong: ‘I alone was to hear their voices, so she said, but you must bind me with tight chaffing ropes so I cannot move a muscle, bound to the spot erect at the mast-block, lashed by ropes to the mast. And if I plead, commanding you to set me free, then lash me faster, rope on pressing rope.’ (Book 12, lines 174-179) Odysseus was telling his crew that he wanted to hear the Sirens, but be tied up to his ship, so he cannot respond or move towards the Sirens. This is a showing of hubris (a showing of excessive pride, leading to a negative result) because by allowing himself to hear the Sirens, Odysseus is endangering his crew, and himself. Although Odysseus and his crew later pass the Sirens unharmed, it results in a loss of trust and respect towards Odysseus from his crew (this being the negative result). Odysseus and his crew slowly grow resistant toward each other, as his crew begins to suffer from hunger on his journey, and refuse Odysseus’ advice: ‘Listen to me, my comrades, (the person speaking is Eurylochus) brothers in hardship. All ways of dying are hateful to us poor mortals, true, but to die of hunger, starve to death- that’s the worst of all. So up with you now, let’s drive off the pick of Helios’ sleek herds, slaughter them to the gods who rule the skies up there.’ (Book 12, lines 366-371) This section shows Odysseus’ crew slaughtering Helios’ (the Greek personification of the Sun) cattle, resulting in Helios in an outrage, and conveying Zeus to kill Odysseus’ crew. Zeus then sends down upon Odysseus’ crew a lightning bolt, killing all of Odysseus’ crew, leaving Odysseus himself alive but adrift on open seas. This shows the further results of Odysseus’ hubris. Earlier, when Odysseus showed hubris (during many events, ie. Sirens, Polyphemus, Cattle of the Gods) and endangered his crew, almost to the point where he had gotten them killed several times, they had lost trust in him, thinking they were unimportant and expendable. As they lost trust more and more after Odysseus’ actions, they decided to go against his knowledge and advice, ultimately killing them. Odysseus’ hubris is generally his primary flaw and has an effect on him and his crew on their journey.

Contradictions and Complexities: The Encounter with Polyphemus

There are also moments when Odysseus can instantly contradict his actions with hubris, even when his previous actions were heroic. An example of this is when Odysseus and his crew encounter Polyphemus (a cyclops and the son of Zeus), who begins killing Odysseus’ crew. Odysseus in an attempt to outsmart Polyphemus spots a large wood club that Polyphemus left behind the previous night and, with the help of his men, sharpens the narrow end to a fine point. That night, Polyphemus returns from herding his flock of sheep. He sits down and kills two more of Odysseus’ men. At that point, Odysseus offers Polyphemus the strong wine Maron gave him. The wine makes Polyphemus drunk and unwary. When Polyphemus asks for Odysseus’ name, promising him a guest gift if he answers, Odysseus says: ‘I will tell you. But you must give me a guest gift as you promised. Nobody- that’s my name. Nobody- so my mother and father call me, and all my friends.’ (Book 9, page 223, lines 409-411) Odysseus was not telling Polyphemus his real name, meaning that Polyphemus doesn’t know who Odysseus is yet. Polyphemus thinks of it as a real name and says that he will eat ‘no-one’ last and that this shall be his guest gift. Polyphemus crashes to the floor and passes out. With his men’s help, Odysseus lifts the flaming stake, charges forward, and drives it into Polyphemus’ eye, blinding him. With Polyphemus now blinded he yells for help from his fellow cyclopes that ‘no one has hurt him. The other cyclopes think Polyphemus is making a fool out of them or that it must be a matter with the gods and walk away. When morning comes, Odysseus and his men escape from the cave, unseen by Polyphemus, by clinging to Polyphemus’ sheep as they go out to graze. ‘And with that threat he let my ram go free outside. But soon as we’d got one foot past cave and courtyard, first I loosed myself from the ram, then loosed my men, then quickly, glancing back again and again we drove our flock, good plump beasts with their long shanks, straight to the ship,’ (Book 9, page 226, lines 515-520) Odysseus was able to escape Polyphemus as well as getting his crew out along with Polyphemus’ cattle, which they needed. This shows heroism by Odysseus being able to save others from the trouble that could have gotten them killed. Overall, this is one of Odysseus’ biggest heroic feats. He came up with a clever plan that outsmarted his enemy and then managed to save himself and others from danger.

However, Odysseus then contradicts his own heroism by saying: ‘Cyclops- if any man on the face of the Earth should ask you who blinded, shamed you so- say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca!’ (Book 9, page 227, lines 558-562). Odysseus wanted to let Polyphemus know who was the man who outsmarted him and revealed his name, kin, and home. Not only was this one of Odysseus’ biggest mistakes; this is a contradiction to Odysseus’ heroism earlier. Earlier, when Odysseus told Polyphemus that his name was ‘Nobody’, he was protecting his identity, so that Polyphemus could not harm him. After Odysseus tells Polyphemus his real name, he prays to his father, Poseidon for revenge. ‘But at that he bellowed out to lord Poseidon, thrusting his arms to the starry skies, and prayed, ‘Hear me– Poseidon, god of the sea-blue who rocks the earth! If I really am your son and you claim to be my father- come, grant that Odysseus, raider of cities, Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca, never reaches home.’ After this, Poseidon hears his son’s prayer and supposedly gave Polyphemus the strength to hurl a large boulder at Odysseus’ ship, which lands in the water next to the ship, causing the ship to collide with nearby land. This would have never happened if Odysseus hadn’t told his name to Polyphemus then he wouldn’t have been able to pray to Poseidon, resulting in him having the strength to harm Odysseus and his crew. Odysseus’ hubris can contradict his heroics and affect him negatively. Odysseus has a tendency to be reckless and do things without thinking about what effect it could have on his future. His hubris can often get in the way of his accomplishments, and make his efforts seem like they were for nothing.

Conclusion

Overall, Odysseus is a shining example of an archetypal hero, by being able to overcome his own conflicts and save others while having flaws that can counteract his heroism. These traits are shown over the course of Odysseus’ journey. Odysseus shows heroism when he and his crew pass by the island of the Sirens. Odysseus saves his crew by plugging their ears with beeswax so they cannot hear the Siren’s song that if they heard it; they would have died. Odysseus also has flaws that every hero must have (no hero is perfect), and Odysseus has the flaw of hubris. He shows it during the island of the Sirens by allowing only himself to hear the Sirens. This was Odysseus proving that a man could hear the Sirens and live, but it was unnecessary and put his crew in danger. More example of this was when Odysseus and his crew encountered Polyphemus. Odysseus outsmarted Polyphemus and got his crew out safely, until Odysseus told Polyphemus his real name, home, and family, allowing Polyphemus to pray to Poseidon for revenge. In total, Odysseus is an archetypal hero, by saving himself and others and achieving his goals, but also has flaws like any other person, making him a real person to whom someone can relate. In our modern world, there are people who we look up to as heroes. People who may have traits similar to Odysseus himself. Soldiers who serve overseas are a good example. They constantly have obstacles to overcome, and save others, or could have their own flaws that make them a hero. Odysseus is no different than any other hero that we look up to today, and we know them by their heroic acts and the flaws that make them relatable to us.

Introduction

The tales of Odysseus have remained popular for several centuries. According to Griffin (2004), these tales demonstrate the social structure of ancient Greece and even part of the European countries. The humility of this great leader, his strength, and above all, his courage is demonstrated as the main factors that made him popular.

He would dare to do what others could not imagine of and strangely come out successful in such ventures. These tales reflect the spirit of the ancient Greek society, which largely influenced civilization. That is why these tales have remained relevant even in modern society. In this essay, the focus will be to determine how themes in these stories reflect the spirit of ancient Greece and its relevance to the modern world.

Discussion

The tales of Odysseus have widely been told, and they help in giving insight to the social norms that were common in ancient Greece. The tales presented in by Gochberg (1988) and Homer (2007) brings the travels of this great warrior and helps in shedding light into the society in ancient Greece.

The book by Gochberg (1988) is about the Great War between the Trojans and the Achaeans (Greeks). The cause and course of the war tell a lot about the beliefs, social forms, and material traits of the ancient Greeks. In this tale, Helen- a wife to Achaean King Menelaus- elopes with the charming Trojan prince Paris. This act of ‘stealing’ the wife of the great king, coupled with the tension between the two kingdoms results into a war.

King Menelaus sends his soldiers to go and capture his wife and bring him back away from the Trojans. However, the prince of the Trojans is so passionate about the newfound love that he is willing to do everything in his powers to ensure that Helen remains with him. One unique factor that comes out of this story is the determination of the soldiers to achieve success even in the face of challenging factors facing them.

Victory in battles is seen as the only way of demonstrating the strength of a nation, and King Menelaus knows this so well that he is determined to do all within his powers to defeat the Trojans. The battle changes from a fight for passion to a fight for self-esteem and image. A loss in such decisive battles is seen as a weakness not only to the soldiers who went to the war but also the entire society.

The tale by Homer (2007) also recounts of the heroic homecoming of Odysseus after a victorious battle that took over 20 years. Odysseus left his home and went to Ithaca to fight on behalf of his country. The battle was plagued by many challenges, from the superiority of the enemy’s weapon and a number of soldiers to natural calamities that threatened their lives.

In such a challenging environment where many soldiers fell, Odysseus was determined to press on with the war. In this tale, the Greek soldiers are portrayed as daring soldiers who would stare in the face of death and still feel courageous enough to fight on. Achilles, a warrior as great as Odysseus, fought to his death- preferring to die than to lose a battle. The military skills and courage of Odysseus saw him through to victory, and he traveled home to deliver the news that the kingdom had won.

These two stories clearly show that the ancient Greeks had some standard practices that defined everything they did. Failure was something that was not tolerated in this society. In the two tales, a soldier would prefer to die than to come out alive as a failure. The society could not withstand a failure at war because it would be a sign of weakness for the society.

This closely relates to modern society. Currently, Russia is flexing its military muscle in Eastern Europe, and it is very keen on achieving success even in the face of criticism from other world powers. It is openly stating that it has enough nuclear weapons that it can use against any country that tries to invade it in any way.

In the two tales, courage is a very precious virtue. It demonstrates how the ancient Greeks valued people who were courageous such as Odysseus. Courage remains an important virtue even in modern society (Griffin, 2004). Finally, the tales bring in passion as something that can create serious conflict, especially in cases of a love triangle. In world history- and even in the current society- passion is one of the greatest factors that create conflict within society.

Conclusion

The tales of Odysseus brings out the socio-political structure of the ancient Greeks and the people that lived around them. During this period, peace within a given kingdom was largely defined by its ability to win battles. Although this has changed considerably in the current society, superiority at war remains one of the factors that define the position of a country in the world map in terms of the influence it commands.

References

Gochberg, D. (1988). Classics of Western Thought: The Ancient World. London: Wadsworth Publishing.

Griffin, J. (2004). Homer: The Odyssey: student guide. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Homer, S. (2007). The Essential Odyssey. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company.

Odysseus and his men reach the land of the Kyklopes, a rough and uncivilized race of one-dyed giants. They feast on some animals they come across. Though his friends ask him to move on, Odysseus, to their utter disappointment, lingers on. They reach a cave wherein they see herds of sheep and stacks of cheese. It is the cave of the Kyklops Polyphemus-the son of Poseidon. Initially, the giant makes a show of hospitality but later plays a cruel joke on them as he barbarously eats two of Odysseus’ companions to satisfy his hunger.

Odysseus and his men are rudely shaken. Odysseus plans to avenge his comrades’ death when for the second time the giant feeds on his friends and holds them all hostages. Enraged, Odysseus decides to outwit the giant. While Polyphemus is out pasturing his sheep, he finds a wooden staff in the cave and hardens it in the fire. When the giant returns, Odysseus gets him drunk on wine which he had brought from the ship.

Intoxicated, the giant asks Odysseus his name. “My name is Nohbdy: mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nohbdy.” (156) replies Odysseus. When the giant collapses, Odysseus and his select group of men drive the red –hot staff into his eye. Polyphemus wakes up with a shriek and when his neighbours come to see what is wrong, he roars out, “Nohbdy, Nohbdy’s tricked me, Nohbdy’s ruined me!” (157).

The next morning, unseen by the blind giant, Odysseus and his men escape from the cave by clinging to the bellies of the monster’s sheep as they go to graze. Safe on board, along with the giant’s sheep, Odysseus reveals his true identity:

‘Kyklops,

If ever mortal man inquire

How you were put to shame and blinded, tell him

Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye:

Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaka!’(160).

Groaning in pain, the giant hurls boulders at them and prays to his father, Poseidon to wreak vengeance on Odysseus and his men. Odysseus taunts him.

This episode appears in chapter IX and is told by Odysseus as flashback of his wanderings to the Phaecians, in the palace.

The rich and celebrated instance of Odysseusean cunning is revealed. Odysseus believes that a hidden danger could be lurking around them so he takes wine along with him. The resourcefulness of the leader highlights the master craftsmen in the poet. Odysseus, in danger, plans slowly and subtly, to escape. The lie that his name is Nohbdy is a humorous twist as it is their grave necessity to keep the other Kyklopes from rescuing Polyphemus.

By revealing his true identity, Odysseus exhibits the lack of foresight which is in contrast to his cunning prudence as he plans their escape from the monster. His anger at Polyphemus for devouring his comrades is understandable but his taunts as the giant hurls rocks is unnecessary. He pits his moral indignation against Polyphemus’ divine vengeance. This act of hubris or excess of pride ensures that Odysseus and his men suffer serious consequences. Eventually the punishment costs him dearly. The revelation of identity also represents the cultural values of ancient Greece. It is to be noted that Odysseus does not utter only his name. This manner of introduction was very formalized and formulaic in Homeric Greece and should be seen familiar to the readers of the Iliad. (Homer 2006).

Like the heroes in Iliad, Odysseus confirms his kleos (the glory or renown that one earns in the eyes of others by performing great deeds) as he was the one who blinded Polyphemus and he wants to make others aware of this act. He believes that the height of glory is achieved by spreading his name abroad and through the propaganda of his great deeds. Homeric culture praises Odysseus for his cunning and at the same time there are others like Dante who see the negative side of this quality.

The stupidity and brutishness of Polyphemus is a sharp contrast to his tender- hearted and sympathetic appeal to his sheep at the end of book IX. He strokes them tenderly and is unaware of Odysseus’ trick.

This chapter makes an interesting study of the characters mentioned, ancient Greek culture and the prowess of Homer as a deft painter who portrays not only characters but also successfully intertwines them with the situations.

Works cited

Homer. The Odyssey. Book 9. SparkNotes. 2006. Web.

Nothing less than a stupendous work of art, The Odyssey, written probably 3000 years ago by the blind Greek poet Homer, is a glorious expedition into life as it was believed to have been led i n the great Greek Kingdom of the Bronze Age. ‘This earlier period the Greeks believed was a more glorious and sublime age, when gods still frequented the earth and heroic, godlike mortals with super human attributes populated Greece’. (Homer 2006).

Beginning in medias res (middle of things), the journey is fasinating intriguing and sensual. It highlights the rich oral in Mythic traditions of the Greeks. The hero, Odysseus, is on nostos (return homehomeward voyage) after a decade of the Trojan victory. His heart is set on his wife and child, separated, rather unwillingly from him. Unfortunately, the beautiful nymph, Kalypso is possessed by love for him and he is imprisoned on her island, Ogygia. He is forced to spend the nights with her but during day time, laments for his wife, “Sitting upon a beach with his eyes ever filled with tears – dying of sheer home-sickness; for he had got tired of Kalypso forced to sleep with her by night, it was she, not he that would have it so.” (Homer 2000).

Meanwhile, the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus debate his future and Hermis, the messenger is summoned to order Kalypso to release Odysseus form her. Kalypso is enraged at the ‘impassion indictment of the male gods and their double standards. They are allowed to take mortal lovers while the affairs of female gods must always be frustrated.’ (Homer 2006). Ultimately Zeus’ decree is obeyed and Odysseus resumes his homeward journey.

From the land of the Laestrygomians, Odysseus and his companians travel to Aeaea, home of the beautiful witch goddess Kirke. She turns his friends into swine, but is unable to conquer Odysseus, who lungs at her as she tries to strike him with her sword. Kirke overpowered, Odysseus demands his friends’ release from her magical stronghold. Kirke is encharmed by the gallant and handsome warrior a d falls in love with him. Odysseus and his companions feast and drink for a year, forgetting the purpose of their journey. Odysseus is the most affected:

‘Prince, what joy this is, your safe return!

Now Ithaka seems here, and we in Ithaka!

But tell us now, what death befell our friends?’ (178)

Ultimately his friends remind him of his aim,

‘Captain, shake off this trance, and think of home –

If home indeed awaits us,

If we shall ever see

Your own well-timbered hall on Ithaka.

They made me feel a pang, and I agreed.’ (179)

Odysseus, in both these encounters is enraptured by the scenic beauty as well as the enchantresses but yearns for his wife Penelope. Kalypso is ready to grant immortality if he remains with her. He is treated like a god. But Odysseus declines her offer. He prefers his wife to immortality. It is quite certain that divinity shapes the ends of things:

‘His destiny is to see his friends again under his own roof, in his father’s country.’(82)

His encounter with Kirke is according to the dictates of Zeus. Though, for quite some time, he forgets his mission, later at the behest of his companions regains his mental strength and courage to overcome the temptation of luxuries and enchantments.

Homer’s stance is unfair as he pins Penelope to being a woman who entreats suitors at her place, while Odysseus spends days and nights in the company of beautiful women and is justified. Penelope’s steadfast love for her husband is the sole reasons for his languish with Kalypso. The anguish is beyond comparison. Love for his family is the reason why he breaks away from the bondage of Kirke, albeit his decision to spend time with her.

Works cited

Homer. The Odyssey. Spark notes. 2006.

Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Samuel Butler. 2000.

Homer. The Odyssey. Summary. Book 5-6. Spark notes. 2006. Web.

Ten years have lapsed since Odysseus led the Trojan War and won eternal glory for himself. He struggles to reach his kingdom, Ithaka due to Gods’ will. Meanwhile, his wife Penelope and son Telemakhos have to put up with suitors who pillage their land and feed on their reserves. Telemakhos is too weak to retaliate and poor Penelope earns the wrath of the suitors as she declines their offers. The suitors are barbarous as they plunder the wealth and at the same time, woo the lady. Both mother and son suffer insults and abuse simultaneously. The suitors remain unaware that their crude behavior to Odysseus has flaunted the laws of the Gods and punishment would follow.

Antinous is impudent. Another suitor, Cterippen is arrogant, Eurymakhos is foul and each of the other suitors walks to death. This reminds us of their wrong deeds to Odysseus’ family to the displeasure of the Gods.

At the end of book XX, we find the suitors reacting impudently to Telemakhos and it is certainly true that human participants with these events are truly responsible for their own actions. “Telemakhos, no man is a luckier host

When it comes to what the cat dragged in. What burning

Eyes your beggar had for bread and wine!”(387)

Athena has robbed them of their wits. She manipulates the suitors, egging on their abuse of Odysseus in order to enrage him further. When Odysseus, disguised as a beggar reaches his palace, Antinous throws a stool at him and rebukes him. Each suitor in his own way curses the beggar in every possible manner. It is believed that Gods lift their favorite mortals to success and ensure that their enemies are crushed just as Athena does with Odysseus and the suitors. Hence like the Iliad, The Odyssey often depicts God arranging the future based on the outcomes of the great debates on Mount Olympus. In book XIV, Antinoos says, “Now!

You think you’ll shuffle off and get away

after that impudence? Oh, no you don’t!” (326)

He throws a stool and hits Odysseus on his right shoulder.

Unfortunately, the suitors are unaware of the consequences of their actions. It could be due to lust and greed which have made them blind to fear God. It should be borne in mind that Odysseus is superior to the suitors and one should recall the good old days when there were no suitors and Odysseus’ rule was unchallenged. Its pre-eminence in Ithaka before the Trojan war is noteworthy. Once again, through his mastery, he becomes the most powerful man in his kingdom. Athena, disguised as Mentor, offers encouragement at every crucial moment. In book XXI., we find Penelope in utter distress which wakes Odysseus from sleep and he asks Zeus for a good omen. Zeus responds with a clap of thunder, and at once, a maid in the adjacent room is heard cursing the suitors. Towards the end the suitors fail to notice that they and the walls of the room are covered in blood and that their faces have assumed a ghostly look – all of which could be interpreted as portents of inescapable doom. In book XX, the visionary, Theoklymenos says,

“Night shrouds you to the knees, your heads, your faces;

Dry retch of death runs round like fire in sticks;

your cheeks are streaming; these fair walls and pedestals

are dripping crimson blood.” (386).

The suitors are avenged. “… grandeur and significance of Iliad’s famous duels are absent from this melee”. (Homer 2006). One famous hero wards off a bunch of freeloaders.

Works cited

Homer. The odyssey. Books 21-22. Spark Notes. 2006. Web.

The beginnings of human history are saturated with war and fight for power and fame: skillful, witty men, fit both physically and mentally were the ones to get social recognition. Naturally, ancient literature could not ignore that fact and therefore reflected the importance of such people in every possible way. The typical characters of Ancient Greek epos and drama are main heroes which differ in their personal qualities and are alike in their leadership potential.

Among the most renowned leaders of Ancient Greece was Odysseus, immortalized in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey describing the hero’s long and arduous journey back to his native Ithaca from the Trojan War. Another example of a leader can be seen in the figure of Creon, the tyrannical ruler of Thebes in Sophocles’ drama Antigone.

Both those characters are at the head of risky and challenging situations: Odysseus leads his crew home through the hazards of the sea, and Creon manages a state heavily misbalanced after a civil war. One of the heroes succeeds in his undertaking, the other bitterly fails, and the outcome is shaped not so much by the unchangeable predestined fate as by the personal qualities of Odysseus and Creon.

The common circumstance that allows for equaling Odysseus and Creon as leaders are the confrontation each of the faces. Odysseus finds himself on a long journey back home, where he has not only to overcome the rage of insulted Poseidon but also to make use of all the people he meets on his way in order to bring closer the day of his homecoming. In addition, Odysseus has to vanquish the suitors who invade his house and threaten his family happiness.

Creon’s task is the maintenance of order in the state destabilized by war, and Creon sees the solution in establishing a rigid dictate of law. And although the Greek gods are one of the significant driving powers for the situation, the key difference between the two heroes is their reaction which defined further development of events.

Despite the fact that Odysseus’ escape from Calypso’s embrace would have been hardly possible without the intervention of his tutelary goddess Athena, there is a special trait of character that allowed Odysseus make use of all the favorable circumstances provided to him by gods.

Already from the first lines of the epic poem, Odysseus is characterized as a very flexible personality, “the man of twists and turns” (Homer 77). Throughout all the difficulties, he always knows the final purpose he is striving for, “his heart set on his wife and his return” (Homer 78). Following his objective, Odysseus uses his wit to work out the best solution in any situation, however dubious this solution might seem in the short-term perspective.

Having learned from his mistaken disobedience towards the gods, Odysseus gains a kind of “practical wisdom” that includes three crucial components: “the clear perception of the end sought; identification of the best means to that end; and control of conflicting passions” (Prior 20). A clear example of all the three aforementioned qualities can be found in the situation when Odysseus disguises himself as a beggar at his own house.

Despite his initial impulse to kill the ridiculing servants, he restrains himself, “… he struck his chest and curbed his fighting heart” (Homer 411). Odysseus realizes that if he gives way to a momentary passion, the whole plan will be ruined and he would never defeat the suitors. Such quality for reasonable and objective assessment of the situation is characterized by Madrid and Ton as “judgment-in-action” and is peculiar to successful leaders who use rather their intelligence than pure bravado in order to reach well-balanced decisions (11).

In contrast to Odysseus’ flexibility and adaptability, Creon in Antigone demonstrates an opposite quality of thinking, which leads him to failure. Single-mindedly pursuing the objective of keeping his state in order, Creon locks up in the delusion that only his understanding of the law is the most correct and applicable. Concentrated on executing law the way he imagines it, Creon remains oblivious to the unwritten laws of gods and thus, in fact, places himself higher than gods.

On the one hand, Creon seems to be guided by a just and fair idea of neglecting the traitors and not honoring them in order to teach his citizens a lesson of patriotism. On the other hand, the ruler forgets about the venerable traditions and duties towards the dead, and the gods’ wrath does not take long to appear.

Mislead by his own ideas about justice, Creon is mistaken in his assessment of the situation: “… it is truly terrible when the one who does the judging judges things all wrong” (Sophocles 75). Following one standard of behavior, he lacks “the ability to discern the right thing to do in a concrete situation” (Prior 30). Therefore, he fails to use his wisdom for resolving the conflict between the claims of the state and those of the gods.

“Conventional and conservative”, Creon persists in his one-sided view of the confrontation and causes a tragedy to happen that teaches him the lesson of wisdom (Madrid and Ton 14). Not accidentally the final chorus proclaims “reverence towards the gods” as a part of wisdom which, if failed to understand, is punished severely by the “mighty blows of fate” (Sophocles 128).

Although fate and divine providence occupy a significant place in the lives of Greek heroes, in the case with Creon his destiny is defined rather by his behavior. Creon has a choice between respecting his duties towards the gods or neglecting them, and by choosing the latter he provokes all the fearful events that turn him into a wreck. By choosing the wrong side in the moral conflict, Creon commits a mistake that in Aristotelian terms is described as hamartia, or a “tragic flaw” (Aristotle 26).

Creon’s stubborn obsession with his own ideas on justice prevents him from realizing the truly significant aspects of the situation, and this erroneous delusion has disastrous effects. Not only do Creon’s arrogance and pride prevent him from admitting the true condition of things, but they bring about his downfall and lead to the death of innocent people.

The comparison of Odysseus and Creon as leaders who should decide in critical situations reveals a crucial difference between the two characters. Odysseus possesses the necessary flexibility of thinking that allows him to judge each situation reasonably and take corresponding decisions.

On the contrary, Creon locks up in his one-sided view of events and does not demonstrate enough wisdom to resolve the conflict. The practical wit of the one and the obsessive narrow-mindedness of the other are the main factors defining their success or failure in the hardships they undergo.

Works Cited

Aristotle. Aristotle’s Poetic. Trans. George Whalley. Eds. John Baxter, Patrick Atherton. Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 1997. Print.

Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1996. Print.

Madrid, Richard, and Tammy Ton. “Political Leadership in Ancient Greece.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Political Science Association, Hyatt Regency Albuquerque, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2006. Web.

Prior, William J. Virtue and Knowledge: An Introduction to Ancient Greek Ethics. New York, NY: Routledge, 1991. Print.

Sophocles. The Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1984. Print.

Introduction

Dushyanta was a great Indian king depicted in classical Indian mythology as a handsome man, a great warrior, and the founder of the Puarav dynasty. His son, Emperor Bharat, went on to father the Indian nation. In Dushyanta’s culture, males were expected to be brave warriors. They expressed their sexuality explicitly and, at times, appeared untruthful (Puchner 116).

Dushyanta’s male culture

In the myth, we come across Dushyanta who is described as a hunter accompanied by his powerful army, while pursuing deer in the great forest. The king and companions pass through dense forests, rocky hillocks, and expansive deserts. Meanwhile, the son of Dushyanta is taught how to use weapons by his grandfather to grow up as a formidable hunter and warrior. Before the family re-unites, father and son, unknown to each other, engage in a fierce battle as a result of an argument over who has killed a boar they both have been hunting for.

Considering that fact of Dushyanta’s untruthfulness, it reveals as he forgets about his wife, Shakuntala, when he returns to his kingdom. This is attributable to a curse passed upon him. He promises his wife to come back to her. However, he leaves her in the forest. As time goes by, Shakuntala seeks for and finally finds Dushyanta.

But he denies his promises and rejects her as an imposter. As the curse wears off, and he is presented with the signet ring that he gave his wife upon their secret marriage, he sets out to find her. The myth ends with Dushyanta explaining his falsehood and claiming that he just wanted to test his wife’s fidelity.

In this story, males explicitly express their sexual desires (Doniger 58). Dushyanta instantly falls in love with Shakuntala upon seeing her. He has a great passion for her and manages to persuade the girl to marry him immediately because he cannot wait any further.

Without the presence or blessings of guardians, they perform a private marriage ceremony on their own and spend pleasant moments together. Soon after the king left his bride and returned to his kingdom, Shakuntala finds out that she is pregnant though she also turns out to be forgotten by her husband.

Odyssey’s male culture

In Greek mythology, Odysseus was the king of the island kingdom of Ithaca, described as a hero, a warrior, known for his treachery and resourcefulness due to his wit. Just the same as in Indian culture, in Greek culture, males are portrayed as warriors, and society leaders, witty and unfaithful (Puchner 210).

Odysseus fought heroically in the Trojan Warand, which Greece won due to his strategic idea to build the Trojan horse. He fought Hector, killed Rhesus, and wrestled Ajax. On his way back to Ithaca from Troy, he encounters calamities that last for ten years.

During his dangerous adventures, his bravery often comes to the forefront. For instance, he single-handedly blinds the Cyclops, overcomes Scylla (the six-headed monster), Charybdis (the whirlpool), and the Sirens. On his return home, he slaughters those who have threatened his wife.

As a leader, Odysseus leads the Greek warriors to victory during the Trojan War. He always volunteers to champion the course for his country. He is known as a diplomat always entrusted with the tasks that call for persuasion, e.g., to convince Achilles to join the Trojan War as well as encourage Agamemnon not to give up when he is discouraged by the fact that their great Greek army has suffered too much losses.

His wit is described in many occasions throughout the poem. He feigns lunacy so as not to fight in the battle of Troy. He alone gains victory for Greece in the Trojan War by devising the Trojan horse. He tricks Achilles out of revealing his disguise as a woman, thereby compelling him to join Greek army in the Trojan War. In all the calamities that he has suffered during the ten years following the Trojan victory, he emerges victorious due to his wit, e.g., by telling Cyclops that his name is ‘nobody’ in order to escape from him.

Greek culture pardoned male unfaithfulness (Doniger 116). While being captured by the nymph, Calypso, Odysseus agrees to be her lover. Moreover, the males who came to his house assumed Odysseus to be dead, following his ten year absence, so that they attempted to woo Penelope though they found it normal to sleep with the servant women of Odysseus’ house, meanwhile.

Purpose of Dushyanta’s journeys

In both the Indian and Greek mythologies, the two characters go through a journey in their lives. Dushyanta travels through thick forests, rocky landscapes and expansive deserts before he meets Shakuntala in the hermitage. This can be seen as a test imparted to males by the society and culture. Dushyanta has to demonstrate perseverance, bravery and his skills as a warrior in going through the difficult terrain (Doniger 89). His journey is one big test culminated in reward of finding a wife.

The king’s journey back to his kingdom results in his wife’s love-sickness. Her troubled heart and absent-mindedness appear to be the cause of the curse that makes Dushyanta forget her. Dushyanta travels back to the forest for the last time in order to seek for his wife. Thus he meets his son and is reunited with his wife. However, the price paid by Shakuntala and their son, Bharat, is not worth Dushyanta’s second journey because he left his wife heartbroken and forgot about Shakuntala.

As a result, she bears Bharat and raises him on her own. Being strangers to each other, father and son fight against each other before realizing their relationship. All these could have been avoided if Dushyanta did not abandon his wife and went back together to his kingdom.

Purpose of Odysseus’ journey

Odysseus’ ten years’ journey from Troy to Ithaca is the hallmark of Greek mythology. During that time, he encounters the wrath of his antagonists (mainly presented in the god Poseidon), defeats mythical creatures and suffers shipwrecks. Even though he is a great warrior, he realizes that he cannot single-handedly overcome these calamities.

Often, he has to rely on his crewmen, as seen in the accident when they team up to blind Cyclops. In some cases, goddess Athena offers him divine help in order to escape the wrath of Poseidon by seeking Zeus’ favor to protect Odysseus. In some circumstances, there seems to be no escape, like when he encounters Circe and the nymph Calypso and is taken in capture.

However, Odysseus’ determination to emerge victorious from these trials is derived from the urge to return to his native home, Ithaca, and be reunited with his wife, Penelope and his son (Puchner 122). The price his family pays for this journey is not worth it either as they also suffer a lot living for twenty years thinking Odysseus is dead. They have to go through the abuse of the suitors, who even threaten to kill his son, in order to inherit his wealth.

Comparison of the men of the 21st century to Dushyanta and Odysseus

Comparing the 21^st century’s men to the characters of Dushyanta and Odysseus, there is much resemblance in their determination to succeed. Dushyanta was determined to have Shankutala as his wife and had to use persuasion and promises to secure her hand in marriage.

He was determined to achieve his goals, regardless risk tarnishing his reputation as a king and a venerable warrior and leader in society. Today, men are still driven in their pursuit of their goals by determination, to avoid failure and to uphold their reputation in the society.

Odysseus was the king of Ithaca and, therefore, a leader. He did not want to take part in the Trojan War, but he was compelled to do it in order not to break his oath, and secondly as a service to his people. Men in leadership positions today – either at the family level or in social or political setting – strive to keep their word as they are expected by those for whom they play as role models.

Male culture in the mythologies under the study was not purely honorable. Unfaithfulness, treachery and falsehood were evident in these characters. Men of the 21^st century are not different as there are cases of infidelity which considered as second nature. In order to get out of tricky situations, Odysseus often resorted to treachery. Dushyanta’s falsehood became apparent when he forgot about his wife upon his return to his kingdom and denied the promises he had made to her, thereby rejecting and humiliating her in public.

Conclusion

In seeking wealth and fame, one should learn from these mythologies. Strength, bravery, wit and perseverance are described as virtues in this path. Wealth and fame present one with prestige. The most important lesson to learn from this is that we should not be so blinded in the pursuit of wealth and fame in order not to forget about our families. After all, these heroes eventually returned home and reunited with their families as these were the things that really mattered .

Works Cited

Doniger, Wendy. Splitting the Difference:Gender and Myth in Ancient Greece and India. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1999. Print.

Puchner, Martin. The Norton Anthology of World Literature:Beginnings to 1650. New York: W.W Norton, 2012. Print.

Introduction

The Odyssey is an epic poem divided into 24 different books translated by Robert Fagles. The epic poem contains different books and heroes who categorize other characters as protagonists based on their expectations and interactive manner. Odysseus is an epic hero due to his bravery, persistence, and intelligence. The character shows his intellect based on his thinking ability and immense devotion to pressure, thus protecting his crew. On different levels, Odysseus expresses most of the classical heroic traits centered on the traditional bound of patriarchal ideals and behaviors with minimal representation with no error or change in various interactive ways. Therefore, Odysseus is the hero of the poem because he demonstrates excellence throughout the story.

Discussion

In Odyssey, the initial focus on Odysseus’s adventures in interacting with different men stands in tension with the world hero himself, described in books 9-12 as having most of the character traits with extraordinary features. Much as Odysseus diminishes Archilles’ heroism, he has a negative light explored in the manner of treatment of the other men. In books 9-12, Odysseus tries to complete his homecoming through defeat by his suitors who had occupied his house. This is accompanied by the killing of suitors and reclaiming his home. The outcome view of the hero creates many trials, which only make him and his men stronger and never return until they achieve victory.

The contrast between Odysseus and his companies features mostly on intelligence, devotion, strength, and level of persistence encountered. It is an issue that makes Odysseus and his crew sail through the murky night to the land of the Cyclops, which had an uncivilized race of one-eyed giants. For instance, Odysseus is the son of Laertes, known to the world for every kind of craft which has reached the skies (9.15-16). However, Odysseus possesses a beggar to spy on most of the suitors who are in Penelope. It is an issue that makes the change in what is quarreled boulders sunk deep in the earth. Another contrast is when Poseidon creates a storm with the motive of obtaining revenge against Odysseus. This shows the courage of convincing his men never to turn back. Another contrast is how Odysseus shows a persistence to his men, where he never loses sight of his goal of returning home after many years when his crew wanted him to give up on many occasions.

Odysseus critically showed his extraordinary intellect in diverse forms, motivated by his crew of men who never lose sight after settling any form of goal. It is a kind of heroism renowned for being built, as seen in books 9-12 through the use of the spear and shield that brightens combat light, day, and darkness. However, Odysseus expresses this intellect with his crew through different interaction levels where he offers idealized model behavior in which the guest grasps a steady hand of the curved key which has fine bronze and ivory haft attached (21. 13). The general working and interaction of Odysseus are grounded in intelligence which can anticipate change in quiver bristling arrows and other shafts of pain (21.14). However, Odysseus’ character and crew state that intelligence level must create change on matters of the fiery level (9.442-443). This aspect’s change creates a disastrous influence, making Cyclops express a change in blinding and interactive level with Polyphemus.

The hero’s keen sense of intelligence level allows him to predict how Polyphemus might try to obtain help from his Cyclops, which is a plan in which nobody has shown interest in the interaction. Odysseus states, “Nobody friends, Polyphemus bellowed back from his cave-nobody is killing me by now by fraud and not by force” (9. 180- 181). This quote is an illustration of the mental strength or emotional intelligence possessed by Odysseus in interacting with family members and friends. In books 9-12, Odysseus uses his intelligence over strength to fight his enemies through tough times; “rotting away, rags of skin shriveling on one’s bones …” (12.43). However, the perspective view presented ties down change based on the passing level of sirens. The hero predicts that “but once your have crew has rowed you past the sirens, a choice of routes is yours where I cannot advise you on which way to take.” (12.46-47). the outcome of this idea creates cunning stories which obtain attention and suit impressive views.

Odysseus has shown his strength and bravery in different forms, which helps him and his crew to overcome most of the challenges from Achilles in the Iliad. As a result, the hero shows a different level of pursuit changes by “showing his loyal swineherd courage which hugged the beaming prince and covered his intentions alone!” (16. 16-18). However, the poem presents varied critiques, which create an expression of change. Odyssey states that change in creating reasoning allows for improvement in courage which is a binding level of Cyclops and Trojan as the creative level allows for change and other features (12.27-30). One significant instance where Odysseus shows his visible courage and brave happens in book 9 in the land of Cyclops, where Odysseus carefully states, “Zeus of the thundercloud on who rules the world has change where the sacrifice failed to move the god:” (9.395-396). Odysseus and his men came across a cave inhabited by sheep and crates filled with milk and cheese though it was challenging to obtain the outcome.

Moreover, the hero suits with the crew of men and sets hubristic gaps during the presented trials, which lead to victory and killing off most of his suitors. This is an act that is considerate and creates trials set in impressive phenomena. After Athena reveals to Odysseus the proper form of Telemachus, alterations in facts in reasoning occur, “Telemachus asks for his loyal serving man at last which creates stranger level…” (16.29). Odysseus creates a motive of view where the hero shows that “Telemachus break change of day working in a home which goes and mingles with our princes as an act of bravery…” (16.32). After failing those challenges, Odysseus has to compose himself again and present himself in an attempt that helps in realizing change. Odysseus’ character shows that “moment of change must have a pack which would turn your limb from limb!” (14. 34-36). To change this matter, there is a need for the hero to create reasonable steps to be followed to reclaim for change and allow for interactive overconfidence level and belief in killing level.

Odysseus has expressed acts of devotion and loyalty in the manner of how he is devoted to his wife and how one is trapped on the island with an astonishing level of a goddess. Devotion presents a need that shows an overlook which is a matter that creates an even god who meets her face to … (12.65). Devotion is an excellent activity that requires commitment and interaction, leading toward a successful level of life. Therefore, it is advisable as any facts of inclusivity must impose future facts like “change in deceitful variations in how the fidelity of the hero has been represented and demonstrate impression of rejection, gives suitors remarkable reasoning… (17-19). in the different scenes, “conversing level must be disguised based on reveling level and nature of how one chooses faith…” (23. 18). The protagonist in the epic poem creates consent in how devotion shows change and other deceit levels.

The hero and the crew demonstrate different interactive levels of devotion in how formulation and setup with enemies create a destined outcome of peace. In chapters 9-12, there is a display of devotion in how determination the hero showed with the crew of men in creating a “quest for alteration and personal interaction gap” (22.12). The other devotion set up occurs in “nature and level of flow on how faults work leading towards considerate change and repetition of future loyalty gap…” (19.14). For example, in book 21, Odysseus expresses this matter of devotion through different interaction facts, which allows Penelope to contest for peace and unity with her suitors due to radical failure. It is viable for “Ortilochus to create time for Odysseus, which leads to the collection of debt for the whole realm owed” (21.16-17). This issue allows the crew to develop the strength which impresses on change towards betrayal by one of the maids in the house who forced the suitors to complete it though having deliberate outcome.

Conclusion

Odysseus is the hero of the poem as he demonstrates excellence throughout the story with his crew. Most of the arête features that the hero has demonstrated include devotion, bravery, and extraordinary intellect, which compose of viable strength and persistence. However, the protagonist’s hero has shown different evidence, which allows for different reactions that appeal to change. The result of this interaction level leads to an excellent outcome. Furthermore, Odysseus’ heroism and impressive level have occurred as presented in different books, allowing the audience to relate to human emotions and create a sense of interaction by revealing truth and other intentional views.

Works Cited

Homer. The Odyssey translator by Robert Fagles. Penguin Books Ltd.1997.

Human beings have told stories about heroes since ancient times. Heroes represent what is good, fair, and just to the cultures that tell these stories and pass them on to future generations. In the section of The Odyssey titled “In the One-Eyed Giant’s Cave,” Homer portrays Odysseus as a heroic figure by emphasizing the traits readers might admire, especially his commitment to his homeland and his bravery in the face of challenges.

The character of Odysseus is strong and admirable because he meets the main criteria of a good man. Odysseus has eloquence, enterprise, and diplomacy talents that enable him to skillfully face the difficulties of wandering the world. Erhart suggests that one of Odysseus’ main traits is god-like, a word whose origins go back to ancient Greek language features (117). Odysseus is the forefather of his land and family, and he overcomes all difficulties on his way home, which is truly admirable. He learns about himself and the world around him through wandering, endowing his journey with meaning and consciousness. Each of Odysseus’ battles is an act of courage, bravery, and a healthy calculation and analysis of the situation.

Odysseus praises his affection for his homeland, which is the center of the love and peace he finds in his family’s company. Homer writes that “my eyes know none that they better love to look upon,” and in these lines, one can see the character of Odysseus: he sees beauty even in the rocky ground and the raging sea (Homer). His love for his homeland is sincere, and Odysseus carries it through his travels. He tells of his battle with the Cycons, how the ships had to fight the storms every time, and the thunderstorms and clouds prevented them from finding their way. Odysseus sees it as his destiny: no matter what hardships he encounters, he always “got home at that time unarmed” because that is his way (Homer). His journey is a story of valor and courage, which he courageously carried within him to confront Cyclops.

The battle with Cyclops is the central theme of book IX of the Odyssey, which is a natural extension of the voyage on the ships. Homer recounts the courage of Odysseus, who had to choose 12 of his comrades and stand with them against the monster (Homer). His comrades were dying, but this did not quench Odysseus’ faith in a favorable outcome. He dared to deceive and cunningly lure the Cyclops into doing things he would not have done on his own. The great merit of Odysseus is in his ability to eloquently present the words that the monster desired: “I was bringing it to you as a drink-offering” (Homer). Odysseus deceives the monster with fear but realizes there is no other way, and his goal of returning home must be achieved.

Odysseus’ behavior is admirable, as even a monster like Cyclops is imbued with his courage. The gift of the Cyclops is as a monster is supposed to be:

“I will eat all Noman’s comrades before Noman himself //
and will keep Noman for the last.
//This is the present that I will make him” (Homer).

In Cyclops’ opinion, eating the last is a blessing, but he does not have time to carry out his share of plans: Odysseus’ poisoned wine takes its toll and kills the monster.

Odysseus realizes that this is not enough and once again shows his courage. Together with his team, he “bore the red hot beam into his eye, till the boiling blood bubbled all over,” and though it is cruel, otherwise, all Odysseus’ men would have been waiting for death (Homer). Such an act requires a sincere desire to win, and even if the fight is unfair, Odysseus accepts the burden because otherwise, he would not be able to return to his homeland. Although Cyclops is not killed to the end, his suffering will always remind him that there are still heroes whose strength can defeat monsters.

The Greeks were known throughout the ancient world as a people who were loyal to their home country and able to meet and overcome difficult obstacles through courage. Homer wrote this story to emphasize Odysseus’s strong qualities and thus to hold him up as an example to others.

Work Cited

Erhart, Walter. “Odysseus, Blackbirds, and Rain Barrels: Literature as a Comparative Practice.” Practices of Comparing: Towards a New Understanding of a Fundamental Human Practice, edited by Walter Erhart et al., Bielefeld University Press, 2020, pp. 111–136.

Homer. “The Odyssey”. The Internet Classic Archive, no date, Web.

Introduction

Odysseus’s long and dangerous trip to Ithaca after the Trojan War reveals that one person’s tremendous success often results from various actors’ timely contributions. As Odysseus travels and overcomes obstacles, he enjoys active support from his divine protector Athena, whereas Penelope acts as his symbol of hope that inspires him to keep going. In general, female characters play various roles in Odysseus’s fate by creating and destroying barriers to his reunion with the family left in Ithaca. Both Athena and Penelope possess true wisdom, appreciate the hero, and manifest certain loyalty toward him, but their opportunities and styles of action are greatly dissimilar in terms of causing active change to his fate.

Women that Odysseus Meets and Their Roles in His Fate

Throughout the journey, Odysseus meets seven prominent female characters, and four women’s behaviors, especially Athena’s, support him in reaching the destination or recovering from wounds. Athena, aside from appearing as Mentor to support Odysseus’s son, guards the protagonist, enabling him to meet Nausicaa, and shields Odysseus in every deed (Cassling, Aarons, and Terhune 2022, 158; Hom. Od. 13.45-50). Nausicaa and Queen Arete treat Odysseus with mother-like kindness after he survives a storm near Scheria (Hom. Od. 7.65-90). Nausicaa saves him from death by providing clothes and taking him to the town, and Arete receives him warmly and eventually helps him to get new ships from Alcinous (Hom. Od. 7.65-90). In the final part of his journey, Odysseus meets Eurycleia, his old servant, and the woman is the first person who recognizes him despite his unusual looks and keeps his identity a secret (Hom. Od. 23.25). Thus, most women play the role of helpers in the hero’s fate.

Nevertheless, his journey is also fraught with encounters with two ill-wishers attacking his sense of purpose; his faithful wife Penelope does not invest direct effort in bringing the man back to Ithaca. Odysseus travels to Aiaia Island and meets Circe, a goddess with magical powers (Hom. Od. 10.135-140). Willing to capture Odysseus, she turns his crew into animals, making him spend time preparing to defeat her and remove her magic spell (Hom. Od. 10.215-220). Circe’s role is ambiguous as she keeps the hero attached to her for one year but eventually offers him directions regarding going back to Ithaca (Hom. Od. 10.480-495). Calypso, a powerful nymph, holds the hero captive on Ogygia for several years, thus postponing his return to his native island (Hom. Od. 6.245-255). Despite possessing an array of virtues, including loyalty, Penelope remains inactive in her search for Odysseus. However, the memories of her fill the hero with motivation to overcome hindrances throughout the journey (Hom. Od. 5.215-225). Therefore, women in The Odyssey play crucial roles in the protagonist’s fate, including distracting his attention from traveling to Ithaca and fuelling his goal-orientedness.

Athena and Penelope: Roles in Odysseus’s Fate

Among the aforementioned characters, Penelope and Athena represent the most interesting subjects for comparative analysis with regard to their roles in Odysseus’s fate. In stark contrast to Odysseus’s divine protector, Penelope affects his fate indirectly by remaining “a fixed point” in his mind and a telos or something that offers him a sense of purpose (Hauser 2020, 44). Athena’s contributions to Odysseus’s return to Ithaca are far more unambiguous and tangible.

Concerning differences, the characters display opposite behaviors and characteristics, making Athena incomparably more active in promoting the best outcomes for Odysseus. Athena, being a mighty goddess capable of influencing others’ thoughts and taking different forms, clearly takes an active position in terms of promoting the success of Odysseus’s trip (Cassling, Aarons, and Terhune 2022, 158). Athena’s wisdom and power enable her to serve as a source of valuable advice for Odysseus and his son (Cassling, Aarons, and Terhune 2022, 158). Aside from purely informational work, the goddess succeeds in setting up encounters that would increase Odysseus’s chances of survival and eventually bring him back home (Hom. Od. 6.45-50). Specifically, to save the hero from a horrible storm that destroys his ship and leaves him without the crew, Athena approaches Nausicaa, the Princess of Phaeacia, in her dream (Hom. Od. 6.45-50). By encouraging the princess to go to the river, thus finding the storm-tossed hero, Athena ensures his safety through clear action and connects him to people in possession of the fleet that he can find useful (Hom. Od. 6.260-270). Thus, Athena’s role revolves around her activity as the hero’s protector.

As opposed to her immortal counterpart, Penelope has to take a passive approach to Odysseus’s journey and simply wait for his arrival, remaining a symbol of hope and loyalty for Odysseus. While Athena possesses divine powers to protect the hero, Penelope can exert no influence on Odysseus’s life and safety, making passive waiting and protecting her faithfulness the only methods to implement (LaFrentz 2021, 18). Specifically, to meet Odysseus as a faithful wife, Penelope instrumentalizes her mêtis or intelligence to avoid marital unions with dozens of suitors wanting her attention (LaFrentz 2021, 18). Willing to postpone any marriages despite external pressure, she invents a story about making a shroud for Odysseus’s father. She tricks men into thinking that she cannot finish her weaving to continue choosing a husband (LaFrentz 2021, 21). Penelope’s tricks are not as life-saving as Athena’s magic, but they still enable her to meet Odysseus without betraying him.

Being from different realms, the characters still have common characteristics as both demonstrate the mastery of using their feminine aspect of mêtis, which is close to wisdom. Penelope’s rather manipulative intelligence is manifested in her talent to weave complicated plans and tests (LaFrentz 2021, 21). These include Penelope’s plan to make Odysseus describe “the bed, which no other mortal man…has ever seen” to reveal if he is her lost husband (Hom. Od. 23.225-226, translated by Lattimore). Athena’s mêtis is also prominent; she inherits her great intelligence from her mother and uses disguise skillfully to support Odysseus in killing suitors in Ithaca and surviving the storm or reassure the grieving Penelope (LaFrentz 2021, 19). Both women’s wisdom is manifested in their ability to proceed with plans and achieve the set goals without boasting or making the objects of skillful manipulations aware of what has happened to them.

At the same time, to continue on similarities in their impacts on the hero, Penelope and Athena share a genuine love for Odysseus as a husband and a friend, respectively, making them loyal to him in their unique ways. As his wife is mistaken for a widow, Penelope transforms this appreciation into fidelity and treats the memories of Odysseus as something of value despite knowing nothing about the husband’s fate following the Trojan War. Athena feels some psychological rather than romantic connection to the hero, making her act as Odysseus’s loyal friend and protector and provide help without revealing her role in his success. The characters feel some sincere appreciation for Odysseus, the manifestations of which depend on their factual relationship to the hero.

Aside from the unwillingness to share power with potential husbands, Penelope remains faithful to her spouse for two decades out of true love for Odysseus and hoping that he will return. Unlike epic female characters in similar circumstances, for instance, Helen from The Iliad, Penelope is recognized as an example of true faithfulness and thoughtfulness capable of preserving the husband’s family and rights (Lesser 2019, 190). For Penelope, proceeding with her life as if Odysseus is dead could probably mean betraying a like-minded person that she believes to be her fate. The character shares a lot with her husband, including endurance, the prevalence of self-possession over weakness, and intelligence, which keeps their connection strong despite distance and uncertainty (Lesser 2019, 195). Aside from deep feelings, partially due to reassurance and messages from Athena, Penelope never loses hope for the better, which motivates her to trick suitors without responding to their offers clearly (Hom. Od. 19.545-555; Lesser 2019, 197). Eventually, the woman’s years of patience and fidelity are rewarded as the husband finally arrives in Ithaca.

Athena supports Odysseus in overcoming various obstacles during the journey since she regards him as being similar to her in skills and power despite not being a god. She acts as Odysseus’s powerful protector out of sincere respect for him and his ability to use words and weapons (Hom. Od. 13.330-340). Athena admires the hero’s bravery, technical skills, and intellectual sharpness, emphasizing that he overcomes all other mortal men in talent and ability (Hom. Od. 13.330-340). She also highlights her status as one of the mightiest and wisest gods, implying that the two of them are similar in their excellence and wit (Hom. Od. 13.330-340). Therefore, even though she is a divine creature with extraordinary powers, Athena is not free from the influence of personal sympathies. She encourages Zeus to release the man from Ogygia, takes care of Penelope to save her from hopelessness, and connects Odysseus to Nausicaa to make Odysseus’s return possible (Hom. Od. 13.330-340; Lesser 2019, 213). Thus, throughout the protagonist’s journey, apart from taking care of his family, Athena expresses a positive attitude toward the hero through different types of assistance.

Conclusion

Based on the analysis above, Athena and Penelope represent Odysseus’s two supporters contributing to his return to Ithaca. The women share unique wisdom, appreciation for the hero, and similarities to Odysseus in terms of character or talent. The two characters are greatly dissimilar in terms of levers of influence over Odysseus’s situation since Penelope is a mortal human. Thus, their roles in helping Odysseus with his plan are diverse, with Athena and Penelope acting as the man’s divine advocate and the source of inspiration, respectively.

References

Cassling, K., Aarons, C. B. and Terhune, K. (2022) “Four Lessons to Take From Athena—Without Disguising Oneself as the Mortal, Mentor.”Journal of Graduate Medical Education 14(2): 158-61. Web.

Hauser, E. (2020) “Putting an End to Song: Penelope, Odysseus, and the Teleologies of the Odyssey.”Helios 47(1): 39-69. Web.

LaFrentz, G. (2021) “Weaving a Way to Nostos: Odysseus and Feminine Mêtis in the Odyssey.” Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal 11: 18-28. Web.

Lattimore, R. transl. (2007) Homer: The Odyssey. New York City: Harper-Perennial.

Lesser, R. H. (2019) “Female Ethics and Epic Rivalry: Helen in The Iliad and Penelope in The Odyssey.”American Journal of Philology 140(2): 189-226. Web.