Friday, December 20, 2019

Essay about The Theme of Revenge Throughout Odyssey

Revenge is a reoccurring theme throughout the Odyssey. Nearly every motivation for conflict within the Odyssey is because one of the characters is craving revenge. The three main areas of revenge in the first twelve books are as follows. Initially, Zeus prevents Odysseus and his men from returning home. Poseidon also continually chastises Odysseus throughout the entire story. Finally, the key account of revenge the reader sees in the story is from Telemachus in that he feels the need to make the suitors compensate for their impudence to his house as well as his mother. Therefore, each of the characters in the story is put through many hardships which pushes them to seek revenge. However, the major reason why Odysseus and his men are put†¦show more content†¦Fortunately for Odysseus, he had Athena on his side. She pleaded with her father, Zeus, to allow Odysseus to go home and reunite with his family. At this point Zeus finally chose to help Odysseus reach home. Regrettably, Zeus was not the only one holding Odysseus back. In addition to Zeus, Poseidon held Odysseus at fault for blinding his son, the Cyclops. Although, Odysseus and his men had to fight off the Cyclops to survive Poseidon still blamed Odysseus for faulting his son after the fact. When Odysseus and his men arrived they found a monster’s cave which they entered and were unable to locate the host. They observed his cave and found many types of cheeses which they indulged themselves in. When the Cyclops returned, â€Å"he hoisted overhead a tremendous, massive slab—no twenty-two wagons, rugged and four-wheeled, could budge that boulder off the ground.† (Homer, 362). The Cyclops, feeling no conscious, ate many of Odysseus’ men. Finally, Odysseus decided to take action. He realized they needed the Cyclops to move the door, but needed to stay alive as well. After Odysseus and his men made the Cyclops very inebriated, they heated a stake and thrust it into the Cyclops eye. After the Cyclops had been blinded the men hid under his sheep as they wandered out into the pasture. At this point on the island, Odysseus had been very smart and told the Cyclops his name was Nobody.Show MoreRelatedThe Odyssey as a Classic Essay655 Words   |  3 PagesThe Odyssey Essay Classic literature often provides insight to an ancient society, their values, and their beliefs. Many books that are considered classics today focus on ancient Rome and Greece. Revenge, hubris, and other themes, and the relation of this book to modern life, classifies the poem The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Fitzgerald, as a classic. For this reason, it is still read today. Classic themes of The Odyssey are a reason that it is a timeless tale. The concept of revenge isRead MoreEric Moore. Mr. Howell. World Literature Final Draft .1742 Words   |  7 PagesEric Moore Mr. Howell World Literature Final Draft 30 March 2017 Themes and Symbolism in The Odyssey In each story, the themes and symbols in them can bring a diverse look on the way the story is interpreted and told. The Odyssey was written by the poet Homer dating all the back to the 8th century. In the Greek epic poem, Homer tells the story of the main character Odysseus’ journey home from the Trojan War. Many themes relating to the human condition are prevalent in the various adventures facedRead MoreEssay on Revenge in the Odyssey733 Words   |  3 PagesThe Greeks, as portrayed by Homer, are a very vengeful people. Throughout The Odyssey, a theme of vengeance is dominant. These displays of retribution come from different entities for fairly different reasons. So why is revenge such a factor in The Odyssey? Fear and the overwhelming feeling of payback are two answers. Homer gives numerous examples of how certain characters demonstrate their power in a fury of rage. He writes of the payback Zeus gives to those who break the rules, of Poseidon#8217;sRead MoreReve nge1786 Words   |  8 PagesThroughout history, revenge, or vengeance, has been altered by several cultures and even the American culture. This is shown throughout many ancient greek epics. Throughout these two epics, what is just revenge and what the action of revenge is are much different than what Revenge is seen through today’s society. Revenge is the main theme in The Iliad, with Achilles’ revenge on Agamemnon and Hector, and in The Odyssey, with Poseidon’s revenge on Odysseus and Odysseus’s revenge on the Suitors, andRead MoreWhat Determines When A Boy Becomes A Man?1296 Words   |  6 Pagesspot in the infinite stack of unanswered questions throughout history. During The Odyssey the reader can experience the theories of Homer’s ideas on how to become a man. Throughout the epic, Homer establishes a clear hypothesis of this transition directly with the character of Telemachus, a feeble child that eventually surprises many. With the help of the goddess Athena, Homer connects the theme of becoming a man with Telemachus’ actions. In The Odyssey, the sub-story of Telemachus’ guided actions towardsRead MoreOdysseus And His Struggle For Honour, And Reputation1494 Words   |  6 PagesOdysseus and his struggle for Honour, and Reputation Homer in one of his epic poems â€Å"The Odyssey,† depicts violence as being a major part of it; and has made it very obvious that violence interests people. Although today violence is considered unpleasant, it was once considered honourable and barbaric in the Greek world, when it came to saving the pride and reputation of ones family and members. In the Odyssey, violence is used to describe Odysseus’ adventure; how he ultimately uses violence to getRead MoreEssay on Vengence In the Odyssey637 Words   |  3 PagesVengance in the Odyssey   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Vengeance is the main theme in the Odyssey, it is what all the conflict in the story is for every conflict in the story is caused because of each characters thirst for vengance. The three characters that show this most greatly are as follows. Poseidon through his constant punishment of Odysseus throughout the story. Secondly Telemachus need to make the suitors pay for disrespecting his house as well as his mother and the lack of his ability to becomeRead More Odysseus’ Search for Purpose in Homers Odyssey Essay1419 Words   |  6 PagesOdysseus’ Search for Purpose in The Odyssey   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As a wayfarer in life, The Odyssey focuses on life’s greater purpose through the fulfillment of destiny, perseverance, and loyalty. These three themes recur continuously throughout Odysseus’ journey, molding life’s greater vision. Odysseus comes to understand his purpose in life by remaining true to these major themes as he faces and conquers each obstacle in his journey. The overarching theme of The Odyssey is the belief that man cannot escapeRead MoreIn What Ways Is the Telemachy Important to the Odyssey as a Whole1553 Words   |  7 PagesIn what ways is the Telemachy important to the Odyssey as a whole? What would the poem lose if these first four books were removed? Homer’s the Odyssey is the epic tale of Odysseus’ return home from the battle of Troy, yet we do not truly get to the hero in action until after we are drawn through the story of his son life in the absence of his father in Ithaka. In the first four books, we see how Telemachos, Odysseus’ son, matures and through his eyes Homer shows us the unrest and troubles ofRead MoreThe Role of Woman in The Odyssey1240 Words   |  5 PagesAlthough â€Å"The Odyssey† by the Greek poet Homer is very much an epic tale of a man’s heroic quest, women play an incredibly large role. Homer’s epic tale, â€Å"The Odyssey† revolves around Ulysses’ quest to return back to his wife, Penelope, so that he may be reunited with her and assume control over his palace, which has been overrun by suitors. Ulysses’ son, Telemachus attempts to regain authority in the presence of the many suitors but finds this difficult and embarks upon his own journe y under the

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.