How People Avoid Challenges In Homer's The Odyssey
People often make the mistake of avoiding challenges that come in life. The Odyssey, written by Homer, tells the story of Odysseus’ arduous journey home from Troy. During his 10-year trek, he encounters many temptations of a life of ease that would test his determination to return home. Although this literary classic was written over 2500 years ago, it is still studied today and is one of the most influential texts in Western literature. The Odyssey is a timeless literary composition, because it shows how human nature causes people to make mistakes that would prevent them from achieving their destiny. Homer asserts that in order to live a fulfilled life, people must reach out of their comfort zone and stand up to all of the challenges that
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come in life. When people reach beyond their comfort zone and overcome challenges, their experiences help build their character. Before Telemachus embarked on his quest to find information on his father, he was unable to control of the suitors and his kingdom. However, it was clear that Telemachus had matured during his journey. When King Menelaus first heard Telemachus speak, he comments, “Not even an older man could speak and do as well. Your father’s son you are—your words have all his wisdom” (4, 228-229). The challenges that Telemachus faced during his journey gave him more confidence and experience. Since he was forced to live independently and to make decisions for himself and others, he learned valuable lessons on how to lead himself on others. Furthermore, he gained courage and strength by conversing with some of the most intimidating kings in Greece. If Telemachus had not done this, he would never be able to behave like a true leader, because he was easily daunted by others and had no self-confidence. In addition, Odysseus also learns more about himself and improves his character during his 10-year struggle. Instead of shouting his name when he returned to Ithaca, he disguises himself as a fugitive from Crete, who was wanted for the murder of Idomeneus’ son (13, 290-296). Odysseus knew that he could not trust anyone, so he did not reveal himself until he had felt that the time was right. More importantly, he shows that he could control his desires in favor of his rational thoughts. This contrasts greatly to when he left the Cyclops’ island and yelled, “Cyclops—if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus, raider of the cities…” (9, 559-561). Odysseus was insecure and did not know who he was, and for that reason, he had to shout his name. He eventually finds his identity during his return back to Ithaca, which is shown when he does not scream his name when he returns. The mistakes and challenges that come in life helps people build their character.
Without challenges, a person does not develop their character and lives an unfulfilled life.
The lotus eaters show how people can hurt themselves by choosing a life of ease: “Any crewman who ate the lotus, the honey-sweet fruit, lost all desire to end a message back, much less return, their only wish was to linger there … all memory of the journey home dissolved forever” (9, 106-111). After eating the lotus, the crewmembers did not want to return home, because they did not want to struggle through all of the obstacles that would appear on their journey home or any other challenges that would come in life. Although they would not have to suffer anymore, not wanting to return home would be a tragic mistake, because it would cause them to live the rest of their lives without progressing. If a person stops “moving”, they would live without a purpose and would not accomplish anything in life. Odysseus reinforces this idea that is shown throughout this composition when he tells Calypso, “I pine—all my days—to travel home and see the dawn of my return. And if a god wreck me…I can bear that too with a spirit tempered to endure” (5, 241-244). Although Calypso offered a life of luxury, ease, and immortality, Odysseus still longed for the trials of life. Odysseus and his crew had made many sacrifices to bring Odysseus to where he was and he did not want to misuse it by choosing to live a life without meaning or accomplishment. He believed that he would waste all of the hard work and
sacrifices that he had made if he had chosen to live a life without “moving”. Therefore, it is important that people do not avoid the challenges that come in their way, but instead, see these obstacles as an opportunity to improve themselves. Even though The Odyssey was written thousands of years ago, it teaches lessons that can still be applied to life today. It shows that people should always strive to overcome the trials that come in their lives. The challenges that people face in life help them to develop a better character and add a sense of accomplishment in life.
come in life. When people reach beyond their comfort zone and overcome challenges, their experiences help build their character. Before Telemachus embarked on his quest to find information on his father, he was unable to control of the suitors and his kingdom. However, it was clear that Telemachus had matured during his journey. When King Menelaus first heard Telemachus speak, he comments, “Not even an older man could speak and do as well. Your father’s son you are—your words have all his wisdom” (4, 228-229). The challenges that Telemachus faced during his journey gave him more confidence and experience. Since he was forced to live independently and to make decisions for himself and others, he learned valuable lessons on how to lead himself on others. Furthermore, he gained courage and strength by conversing with some of the most intimidating kings in Greece. If Telemachus had not done this, he would never be able to behave like a true leader, because he was easily daunted by others and had no self-confidence. In addition, Odysseus also learns more about himself and improves his character during his 10-year struggle. Instead of shouting his name when he returned to Ithaca, he disguises himself as a fugitive from Crete, who was wanted for the murder of Idomeneus’ son (13, 290-296). Odysseus knew that he could not trust anyone, so he did not reveal himself until he had felt that the time was right. More importantly, he shows that he could control his desires in favor of his rational thoughts. This contrasts greatly to when he left the Cyclops’ island and yelled, “Cyclops—if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus, raider of the cities…” (9, 559-561). Odysseus was insecure and did not know who he was, and for that reason, he had to shout his name. He eventually finds his identity during his return back to Ithaca, which is shown when he does not scream his name when he returns. The mistakes and challenges that come in life helps people build their character.
Without challenges, a person does not develop their character and lives an unfulfilled life.
The lotus eaters show how people can hurt themselves by choosing a life of ease: “Any crewman who ate the lotus, the honey-sweet fruit, lost all desire to end a message back, much less return, their only wish was to linger there … all memory of the journey home dissolved forever” (9, 106-111). After eating the lotus, the crewmembers did not want to return home, because they did not want to struggle through all of the obstacles that would appear on their journey home or any other challenges that would come in life. Although they would not have to suffer anymore, not wanting to return home would be a tragic mistake, because it would cause them to live the rest of their lives without progressing. If a person stops “moving”, they would live without a purpose and would not accomplish anything in life. Odysseus reinforces this idea that is shown throughout this composition when he tells Calypso, “I pine—all my days—to travel home and see the dawn of my return. And if a god wreck me…I can bear that too with a spirit tempered to endure” (5, 241-244). Although Calypso offered a life of luxury, ease, and immortality, Odysseus still longed for the trials of life. Odysseus and his crew had made many sacrifices to bring Odysseus to where he was and he did not want to misuse it by choosing to live a life without meaning or accomplishment. He believed that he would waste all of the hard work and
sacrifices that he had made if he had chosen to live a life without “moving”. Therefore, it is important that people do not avoid the challenges that come in their way, but instead, see these obstacles as an opportunity to improve themselves. Even though The Odyssey was written thousands of years ago, it teaches lessons that can still be applied to life today. It shows that people should always strive to overcome the trials that come in their lives. The challenges that people face in life help them to develop a better character and add a sense of accomplishment in life.