Hero‚“a person who... has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal figure”(dictionary.com). In Homer’s “The Odyssey”.The protagonist Odysseus is fighting his way to get back to his kingdom Ithaca and family.During his journey he encounters many hindrances from his antagonists.Overcoming his obstacles makes Odysseus a hero. When Odysseus leaves his beloved Ithaca‚to engage in battle in the Trojan war‚“He fought only to save himself and to bring his
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In a patriarchal society‚ women lie at the bottom of the social hierarchy. A patriarchy judges women for their beauty and innocence rather than merit and intelligence. Throughout the twenty-four books of The Odyssey as well as Game of Thrones‚ a modern day rendition of medieval society written by George. R. R. Martin‚ women struggle for power in male dominated societies. Women need to submit to their societies in order to be accepted and or respected. The goal of men is to be powerful. In order
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Although 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. Penelope was the wife of Odysseus who waited twenty years for him to return home to her. What Penelope did was to show that when a man and a woman are faithful to one another‚ things will work out for the best. One important role was that she anchored the kingship of Ithaca. At the time of the Trojan war‚ kings were determined by a matrilineal scheme. Penelope was the
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There are many different themes in The Odyssey‚ but the most prominent theme Homer portrays in his epic poem is hospitality or Xenia. The act of Xenia was perhaps the most important Greek custom out of all because you see it being performed time and time again throughout Odysseus’ journey home. The Odyssey was about the twenty year long journey of King Odysseus return to Ithaca from battling in the Trojan War. The theme of hospitality is present not only while Odysseus is travelling from city to
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Have you ever had a remarkably good host? Can you recall what about the host made him or her great? Rather‚ have you ever had a very bad host? What was wrong with the host‚ so that you would remember how bad he or she was? In The Odyssey by Homer‚ hosts are also quite important‚ debatably more important than they are today. Back in the days of ancient Greece‚ hosts were expected to be helpful and hospitable and they were expected to serve their guests well‚ with generosity. Eumaios exemplifies
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The cultural role of women in the Odyssey In Homer’s Odyssey the cultural relevance of a preferred woman’s role in society generally stands out in the roles of the female characters of Athena and Penelope simultaneously rejecting the negatively viewed characteristics of Calypso and Circe. The entire structure of Ancient Greek culture boasts its men in more superior roles than that of women. Greek society was largely built upon an idea that good women were only around to faithfully serve and support
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A quest is the act or instance of seeking or pursuing something. In the books "Sundiata" and "The Odyssey of Homer"‚ both of the main characters venture out on quests. Throughout each characters quest‚ they have goals they would like to achieve‚ obstacles that get in their way‚ and enemies they must face. Sundiata and Odysseus also receive some assistance along the way. Both characters also have a common goal to return to their homes after their quests are over. If their quests are successful they
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both journeys involve growth as leaders‚ Odysseus is at the mercy of the gods‚ monsters‚ and powerful people and realizes his place and becomes humbled‚ while Gilgamesh the demigod becomes arrogant and selfish. When Odysseus is first mentioned (Odyssey Pp. 83)‚ very little leadership is shown. He is portrayed as helpless; the quote “he saw nothing of the great Odysseus‚” and throughout books four through eight‚ his constant complaining shows this. Similarly Gilgamesh’s leadership is questioned in
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At the start of The Odyssey‚ Odysseus has yet to return from the Trojan War and his son Telemachus believes that he is dead. Suitors have occupied his home during this time and are pressuring Odysseus’ wife Penelope to marry one of them. Meanwhile‚ Telemachus is unable to do anything without his father. Athena‚ disguised as an old friend of Odysseus’ named Mentor‚ encourages Telemachus to seek news of his father. At the end of the conversation‚ Telemachus is aware that he was in the presence of a
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The True Test of Character In Homer’s famous epic poem The Odyssey he displays the characters with a wide variety of morals. These morals influence decisions made by them which provide a looking glass for the reader to see their true nature. In a certain scene‚ the characters discuss Odysseus to what seems to be a beggar; however‚ the beggar is truly Odysseus in disguise. One way to clearly test a person’s character is through an idea provided by Bob Sutton: “The best judge of character is how he
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