the odyssey

The Odyssey Journal

The following quote “Why do we fall? So we can pick ourselves back up,” means everyone makes mistakes, but these mistakes help one grow and learn. At any point in time, everyone faces a problem or tragedy, because that’s just life. Those are the moments in life you learn a lot from, and grow as a person. This quote relates to the epic poem, The Odyssey, in many ways. Odysseus, the main character in this epic, faces many struggles on his way back home to Ithica, Greece. Odysseus is the king of Ithica, and goes to fight with his men at the Trojan War for the Greeks. Using his qualities of extreme intelligence and strength, Odysseus led his men to be victorious at the Trojan War. Then Odysseus and his men had to make their way back home to Ithica, where they all faced many struggles throughout the journey. The island of the Cyclopes was where the first initiation occurred. The Cyclopes doesn’t follow the tradition of hospitality, but Odysseus and his men barged into his home and ate all of his food anyways. Then he and his men stabbed the Cyclopes in his eye, but the Cyclopes forgave them. Odysseus shook off and refused the apology and revealed to the Cyclopes his real name is “Odysseus” not “Nohbdy,” which shows a lot of hubris. During another part of the journey they all had to cross through the Sirens, who are evil mystical creatures. The Sirens lure men into their island with their beautiful looks and voices, and then they eat them. All of the men put wax in their ears to prevent themselves from being lured in by the Siren’s songs, but Odysseus being his prideful and hubris self, wanted to hear the Siren’s songs. While at Helios’ island, Odysseus’ men ate the sun god’s cattle, which in turn meant that they would all die leaving only Odysseus to survive. While at sea, Odysseus lost all his men and his ship, and was left with absolutely nothing. He sails home to Ithica alone, on a different boat, and as a beggar because he upset the gods. Even though he comes back home as a beggar, he swallows his pride, and proves to everyone including his wife that he his Odysseus. He was offered many luxurious items and goods by the Suitors, but Odysseus refused and killed them due to the fact they disrespected his family and the bounds of hospitality. Athena then blesses Odysseus and turns him into a godly looking figure, and Odysseus is back up at the top as the king of Ithica. Overall through his journey he learns many things from his mistakes. At the end of the story, Odysseus had greater respect for the gods, and he is much more willing to temper his pride with patience. This quote also relates to my life tremendously. Everyone has goals, whether they are big goals, small goals, long term goals, or short term goals. My biggest priority and goal is to do my absolute best at school, and aim for straight A’s. During second quarter, I slacked off and procrastinated a whole lot due to the fact I couldn’t seem to set my priorities straight. During the time I was supposed to be studying for the test that is coming up the next morning, I would be watching a TV show or texting a friend. When it came time to take the test, I would be very confused and lost which would dramatically change my mood to being frustrated and stressed out. Piles and piles of stress is never a good thing, it causes me to over think things, and it just purely puts me in a bad mood. Once I got my report card, I wasn’t too pleased with myself because of the fact I did not reach my initial goal. Instead of mourning over the fact I didn’t achieve my goal, I made it push me to try harder the next quarter. Moreover, mistakes and downfalls are only motivation boosters that teach you to pick yourself back up and keeping moving.