Logotype

an research of the several traits of odysseus

12/13/2019
736

Odysseus

Odysseus: A Realistic Barbaric Main character

The historic hero, generally being presumed to be a bright spot of perfection and civilization among the hordes of barbarians, is considered by modern standards to be much less perfect, but more genuine. In the epic poem The Odyssey simply by Homer, the primary protagonist, Odysseus, is meant to appear as a perfect hero, yet realness is definitely the predominant impression. Portraying Odysseus as the premier Ancient greek language hero, Homer furnishes Odysseus with qualities that are both equally heroic and barbaric towards the modern target audience, giving Odysseus a realistic persona.

The large endurance of Odysseus is a heroic attribute that gives him a quality of realness. Actually among characters, he is kept in mind for that certain trait, because Menelaos, an additional hero with the Trojan Battle, says “No soldier/took in so much, experienced so much while Odysseus” (Book 4. Lines 116-117). Strength, a feature Odysseus is prided pertaining to, allows him to display his courage, which gives the modern day reader an opportunity to peer within the heroic part of Odysseus. Endurance means reality, as Odysseus relies upon endurance instead of supernatural powers to rise over his obstacles, in contrast to the near perfect and unrealistic gods. Odysseus’ achievements of strength are shown when he combats for his life within a grueling challenge: “He [Odysseus] gripped a rock-ledge with both hands in passing/and organised on, groaning as the surge went by, /to maintain clear of their breaking” (Book 5. Lines 447-449). Providing an more earthly touch to Odysseus’ strength, this passing shows that though Odysseus has the capacity to grip upon the rocky-ledge, he truly does so with a great amount of pain, uncovering that his ordeals are certainly not conquered very easily, making him as a whole even more realistic. Moaning in soreness, signaling a genuine challenge to Odysseus, this kind of trial simply makes Odysseus seem less invincible, thus making him more realistic. Odysseus’ endurance is again shown if he is stranded on the wide open sea: “Two nights, 2 days, in the sound deep-sea swell/he [Odysseus] drifted, many times anticipating death, /until with shimmering ringlets inside the East/ the dawn verified a third day” (Book 5. Lines 405-408). Encountering close to death activities multiple times, Odysseus, a fatidico, utilizes his endurance to survive his period at marine. Endurance, an optimistic trait, offers readers an idea that his goals aren’t accomplished quickly, but through hard work and diligence. The endurance as well presents an aura of earthliness to Odysseus, demonstrating that he does not climb up over hurdles as easily as the ancient Greek gods. Although the characteristic of strength gives Odysseus a brave quality, help to make Odysseus even more realistic, this kind of positive feature is countered by a bad one.

Crafty trickery is perhaps the prime characteristic of Odysseus, as his great brain is capable of formulating various barbaric tips. His cunning is so wonderful that however, king from the immortal gods, Zeus, will recognize the abilities of Odysseus, stating “There is no mortal half because wise (Book 1 . Range 88). Identifying Odysseus to get his wits, Zeus foreshadows Odysseus’ actions. Odysseus deception is affirmed when he says to the big Polyphemos “My name can be Nohbdy, mom, father, friends, /everyone phone calls me Nohbdy” (Book 9. Lines 397-398) in order to avoid the giant by successfully calling for help. Displaying that Odysseus will resort to lies to gain an objective, his encounter with Polyphemos uncovers many imperfections in his persona. Instead of contemplating a more meaningful solution, Odysseus comes to a conclusion that only trickery will work, placing another fault in his character. Producing Odysseus an even more believable persona, those flaws are essential in keeping Odysseus realistic. Odysseus again becomes to philistine tactics in order to neutralize Polyphemos threat to his men after making the giant Kyklopes drunk: “So, with our brand we uninterested that great eye socket/while blood ran out around the crimson hot bar” (Book on the lookout for. Lines 420-421). Though Polyphemos is perhaps one of the most barbaric staying in The Journey, Odysseus, by choosing to return barbarism with barbarism, displays a great uncivilized side to his makeup. Instead of countering Polyphemos’ barbaric techniques with a civilized answer, Odysseus counters with barbaric deception. Balancing this negative trait is prize, providing more realism intended for Odysseus’s figure.

Although Odysseus possesses many negative features to countertop his great traits, prize is a confident quality that stands out between his different traits. He is highly recognized by his son Telemakhos for being a great honorable and fair guy: “My recognized father can be lost, /who ruled between you when, mild as being a father” (Book 2 . Lines 49-50). Telemakhos willingness to express this to an assembly filled with his themes proves that there is truth in his speech, as lies might have been unveiled by individuals in the set up. Odysseus’ exclusive chance is verified when he will not steal in the Kyklopes big: “Ah, /how sound that was! However I declined. I wished/to see the caveman, what he had to offer” (Book being unfaithful. Lines 247-249). By declining to steal from the Kyklopes if he had the chance, Odysseus is usually showing not only restraint, yet honor and respect. His desire to look at situations in a rational and civilized fashion contrasts the barbaric deception Odysseus displays in his later on encounters while using Kyklopes, correctly balancing his qualities to add a realistic impact. His responsibility and prize to his men are shown, if he orders his crew to consider those killed in a fight: No ship made sail next day until some shipmate/had raised a cry, 3 times for each poor ghost/unfleshed by Kikones on that discipline (Book being unfaithful. Lines 71-73). Making the decision to remain behind, inviting further disorders from the Kikones, and putting his very own life in jeopardy justifies Odysseus’ reputation pertaining to honor, since only those who are well-principled will remain behind pertaining to paying a tribute to dead crewmen. However , for Odysseus to show up more reasonable, the enthusiasm to a make the most and adjust one’s circumstance, a negative top quality, offsets the characteristic of honor.

Odysseus is keen on manipulating situations to take advantage of a situation. He is recalled as a person who had simply no rivals in the field of tricks and manipulation by Nestor: “He [Odysseus] experienced no rivals, /your father, at the tricks of war” (Book three or more. Lines 130-131). Odysseus’ manipulative nature”an imperfection in his personality”is displayed throughout the book once again of Odysseus’ earthliness and realness. Once Kirke provides to make wish to Odysseus following she knows that Odysseus cannot be outmatched with her sorcery, Odysseus makes zero hesitation: “She [Kirke] swore at once, downright, as I demanded, /and following she acquired sworn, and bound herself, /I came into Kirke’s faultless bed of love” (Book 10. Lines 388-391). By simply agreeing to get started on intimate contact with Kirke, Odysseus is definitely taking advantage of a predicament the gods have presented him. Adding his faithfulness to Penelope in jeopardy, Odysseus displays a weakness in the moral fiber. At the same time of betraying Penelope, Odysseus shows a serious fault, again presenting him as reasonable because of his imperfection. In another situation, Odysseus, showing simply no qualms about asking Aiolos, the king of the winds, for more bags of wind, calmly comes back to the isle of Aiolos to plead with: Under all their [Aiolos and his subjects] eyes Odysseus manufactured his plea (Book almost eight. Line 155). Though Odysseus realizes that going back to Aiolos will be foolish and cause him and his staff to lose deal with, Odysseus does so anyhow. In this instance, his desire to adjust Aiolos into giving him another negative of wind fails, which will reveals his shortcomings as a hero, making Odysseus appear more practical, as he can not be successful atlanta divorce attorneys situation. Uncovering his imperfection as a leading man, Odysseus’ sneaky nature surfaces his great traits, offering Odysseus an authentic touch as a result of lack of flawlessness and the suitable balance of characteristics.

Odysseus’ character is gifted with many positive qualities, but likewise plagued numerous negative ones. This stability of qualities allows Odysseus to appear fewer perfect, allowing for a more realistic character to get molded. Through his travels in the theoretical ancient Greek community, Odysseus displays a variety of characteristics to appear practical. By giving Odysseus both heroic and philistine qualities in the epic composition The Journey, Homer shapes Odysseus right into a character that appears believable and genuine to the modern reader.

  • Category: literature
  • Words: 1451
  • Pages: 5
  • Project Type: Essay

Need an Essay Writing Help?
We will write a custom essay sample on any topic specifically for you
Do Not Waste Your Time
Only $13.90 / page