Reflection Assignment « Homer and Odyssey From the Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces » The Greek literature impacted the western civilization from the eight century before the Common Era. It was and is among the most popular and well known literature. In this reflection assignment‚ we are going to talk first about the origin of Greek literature‚ then briefly about its different poems and finally we will end with the first six books from Odyssey. Who dares talk about western
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The biblical narrative‚ “In the Beginning” and Homer’s epic poem‚ “The Odyssey” share many commonalities. The pair of writings have their own heroes and villains. In each they face similar struggles‚ one of which is temptation‚ the main theme of both passages. They also share the basic archetypal of a hero’s journey‚ complete with protagonists‚ antagonists‚ and a common theme. In the biblical narrative and epic poem alike‚ there are heroes. In the biblical narrative‚ adam and eve are the heroes
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In Homer’s epic poem‚ The Odyssey‚ friends and family of Odysseus show great loyalty to him. The loyalty can be seen through the commitment Penelope‚ faith of Odysseus’ servants‚ and his dog‚ Argos’‚ patience. The most loyal was Penelope. As his faithful wife‚ she waited twenty years for him to come home. With her brilliant trickery‚ she was able to fool the suitors long enough for Odysseus to return. When he arrives‚ she tells him‚ "I armed myself long ago against the frauds of men‚ imposters who
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As social activist Eartha Kitt once said‚ “Greed is so destructive. It destroys everything.” In Beowulf‚ by an anonymous writer and The Hobbit‚ by J.R.R. Tolkien‚ greed plays an omnipresent role‚ as it manifests itself into the societies of the texts‚ resulting in acts of war. Each text utilizes similar methods in their depiction of greed‚ as it is shown as a cause for the seemingly endless acts of wartime malice. Additionally‚ both texts seem to emphasize a certain notion that with the possession
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The story of Beowulf is a well known epic poem and a significant piece of literature. Many people still read and enjoy it today. Beowulf offers readers the opportunity to explore beliefs and customs of the past. Not only is the story entertaining‚ it is also educational. There are several different lessons one can learn from Beowulf. Religion is one of the main themes of the story. Individuals studying the religious aspects of the tale will see two main beliefs: paganism and Christianity. These two
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Beowulf’s author is unknown‚ as are his motives and inspiration for the creation of the poem. Written some four hundred years before the Norman conquests‚ it is comprised of three thousand‚ one hundred and eighty-two lines‚ dramatically reproducing the timeless struggle between good and evil‚ along with all the variations that accompany such a story. By far one of the most admirable qualities presented to the reader is the notion of heroism‚ and the importance of honor. The quality of character was
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The Importance of Xenia in The Odyssey and it’s Consequences One of the most important themes in The Odyssey is the concept of xenia‚ which is the old Greek word for hospitality. In modern times‚ hospitality is something we rarely think of‚ and the first thing that comes to mind is the hotel industry‚ but in ancient Greece‚ xenia was not about hotels‚ or just about etiquette‚ it was a way of life with many benefits in a world that was still mostly savage. Xenia was more than just being polite to
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Motivations of Each Character in the Beowulf Epic (The Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations of Each Character in the Beowulf Epic) In the Anglo-Saxon epic‚ Beowulf‚ the hero‚ Beowulf‚ goes on a journey to the land of the Danes accompanied by the bravest of his men to kill a murderous monster‚ Grendel. Grendel is a horrible creature that has been slaying the soldiers of Hrothgar in the land of the Danes to bring fear to the people‚ the kingdom‚ and Hrothgar. When Beowulf arrives‚ Hrothgar and the people
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Brianna “Life’s Journey through the Odyssey” Homer ’s The Odyssey can be truly considered as one of the best epic poems of all time. Odysseus ’ journey in returning home becomes a test to prove himself. Only on the testing grounds of life can one discover integrity‚ loyalty and perseverance. Homer ’s craft is so profound that theme ’s found in the poem still pertains to man today. Odysseus ’ character‚ his morals‚ and his views are still admired by people today. A man ’s actions speak for
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honor to the end. In Beowulf‚ the author portrays the warrior Beowulf and his three battles in such a way as to clearly define what it means to be a hero. Fred Robinson and J. R. R. Tolkien addressed heroism in Beowulf regarding the warrior’s traits‚ as well as his battles and burial. The author of Beowulf defines the hero through Beowulf’s three battles with Grendel‚ Grendel’s mother‚ and the dragon. In this poem‚ each monster possesses a specific quality undesired by heroes. Beowulf battles anger/jealousy
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