Success vs. Failure in Two Heroic Icons From generation to generation epic tales have been passed along in books and tales. Two tales that are completely different in plot and circumstance are similar in characteristics of the heroes in these epics. Similarly both characters change for the better throughout the plot line‚ and since the plot revolves around these characters they appear to be God like. They both have major obstacles in which they need to conquer but both exemplify some hubris which
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The Odyssey In The Odyssey‚ Odysseus had to face many challenges during his travels; a few of these difficulties were a cannibalistic Cyclops‚ huge whirlpools‚ determined suitors‚ along with many hardships. Odysseus fought constantly to return to his homeland of Ithaca‚ but to accomplish this Odysseus had to be clever‚ resourceful‚ and have great leadership qualities. Odysseus proved throughout the story that he was very clever. When he was faced with having to get out of Polyphemus’s cave‚
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while coming back to his kingdom and family. Odysseus was clever after he tricked the cyclops‚ Polyphemus‚ to drink Odysseus’ wine. This caused the cyclops to become drunken and fall asleep. This allowed Odysseus to stab and blind Polyphemus. This was a both‚ clever and smart decision because if Odysseus killed Polyphemus‚ Odysseus and his men would be trapped by the massive boulder that Polyphemus put to block intruders from entering and exiting his cave. The Odyssey describes the sabotage as
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beaten off our true course by winds from every direction across the great gulf of the open sea‚ making for home‚ by the wrong way‚ on the wrong courses. So we have come. So it has pleased Zeus to arrange it.” This shows that Odysseus wanted to make Polyphemus think that it wasn’t his
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when Odysseus brags about his exploits making Polyphemus hurl giant boulders almost sinking the ship (Homer). This incident hurt Odysseus more than just losing a few men‚ because Poseidon makes his travel home very long and arduous. This proud characteristic shows Odysseus has a lack of respect for
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his domain. The first lesson is taught to Odysseus by the hostility of Polyphemus. His experience teaches him that the world is not the same in all places. On the Cyclopes ’ island‚ Odysseus assumes xenia even though he does not know the lay of the land or anything about its inhabitants. Upon setting foot in Polyphemus ’ cave‚ he and his men almost immediately begin feasting on the cyclops ’ milk and cheeses. When Polyphemus returns‚ he asks the men who they are and why they are dining in his cave
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epic hero‚ and Odysseus’s traits prove him to be a hero. Odysseus was brave‚ so he was not selfish and saved his men from Polyphemus. “As luck would have it‚ the men I would have chosen won the tossーfour strong men‚ and I made five as captain.” This shows that Odysseus won’t force his men to do his job. He leads them to victory and does not back away from the threat of Polyphemus. Odysseus has made some poor choices; however‚ he is an intelligent person. He stopped himself from making the rash decision
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Jeremy Worden Hospitality Illustrated in Homer ’s The Odyssey Far removed from our individualistic society today is the ancient Greece portrayed in Homer’s The Odyssey‚ where hospitality and good will are the main focus of these people. As decreed by Zeus himself‚ those who wish the favor of the Gods must welcome foreigners and domestic with hospitality. A man was supposed to offer the best of his food‚ his home‚ and his knowledge before ever asking for his guest’s name or why he was there.
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The blinding sunlight. The outline of pride and courage. Veins straining from the bulging muscles. Dodging every obstacle‚ when men cower in fear‚ a figure of greatness and leader of courage strives to return home. In Homer’s epic poem‚ The Odyssey‚ Odysseus‚ the central character of the epic‚ applies his strengths‚ leadership skills and his determination to reach his abode escaping from flesh eating one-eyed mammoths‚ arrogant betrayers‚ and violent whirlpool and sea monsters. Odysseus and
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he heard his son‚ Polyphemus’ curse towards Odysseus‚ “O hear me‚ lord‚ blue girdler of the islands...grant that Odysseus..[shall] never see his home...dark the years between...Let him lose all his companions”(Homer 1223). Poseidon ends up cursing Odysseus and his crew by sending many storms‚ delaying the trip‚ therefore
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