Theme Of Hubris In The Odyssey

Hubris In The Odyssey, translated by Andrew George and Metamorphoses translated by Stanley Lombardo, Odysseus and Arachne strength’s coincide with the goddess Athena’s. Excelling at their strengths, Odysseus and Arachne’s hubris causes trials for both, one being a long journey as well as a contest against Athena herself. Interestingly, despite Odysseus’ and Arachne’s mastery of their skills, their relationships with the goddess of their talents have a stark difference; the aforementioned Odysseus having more a friendship with Athena unlike Arachne’s rivalry. Although both Odysseus and Arachne being unparalleled in the strengths of Athena, their relationships with the goddess differ. In each text, both characters excel in the strengths of
Her skills prompt her to claim, “There is nothing I wouldn’t forfeit if I lose,”(Metamorphoses 6 133-140) in a contest of weaving. Her excessive pride is exhibited in her absolute confidence of victory, saying that she would sacrifice anything in a loss; implying it’s impossible. Arachne’s hubris gets the attention of Athena, who gives Arachne the chance of redemption in the guise of an old woman. However, Arachne’s pride shadows her consciousness and she continues her claims, eventually ending up in a competition with Athena. Both women fashion flawless tapestries, however, both depicting contradictory images. Athena’s tapestry depicts the gods in a favorable fashion, with even “Victory crown[ing] her work” (Metamorphoses 6 92). On the other hand, Arachne creates a tapestry portraying the gods in a negative light; weaving the images of gods raping and transforming humans to animals, as well as other deceitful acts. Arachne’s defiance of the gods with her disrespectful tapestry is a result of her hubris having no limits. Despite being unrivaled by any other humans in her talents, her pride pushes her to believe she’s above even the gods. In result, Athena’s relationship with Arachne is soured despite Arachne’s mastery of weaving. Unlike with her relationship with Odysseus, Athena does not admire Arachne due to her disrespectful nature, a result of her
After using his wit to get past the Cyclops Polyphemus by using the fake name “Nobody”, Odysseus foolishly reveals his plot to the son of Poseidon saying if, “any mortal man asks [him] how [he] got [his] eye put out, Tell him that Odysseus the marauder did it, Son of Laertes, whose home is on Ithaca,” (Odysseus 9 501-504). Odysseus’ hubris results in his mistake of proclaiming his identity to Polyphemus, which in return gets him stranded from home for many years. However, unlike Arachne, Odysseus’ pride has a limit. Just like Arachne, Odysseus’ skills are unmatched by any other human. Despite this, Odysseus knows his limits in not considering himself above the gods. In result, his relationship with Athena is more of a friendship and admirer type roles, rather than Athena and Arachne relationship of being enemies. Athena’s admiration of Odysseus yields him great rewards, as she’s instrumental in his journey back to Ithaca. Despite Poseidon’s anger towards Odysseus, Athena’s power allows her to go against his anger and help him on his