Epic poems and archetypes are a substantial part of literature. An archetype may be a character, a theme, a symbol, or even setting. The Odyssey by Homer is an archetype because it contains an archetypal journey, an archetypal hero, and an archetypal villain.
Odysseus is an archetypal hero. An archetypal hero can be seen as someone who is heroic. Archetypal heroes are usually strong, brave, and willing to take a risk. Odysseus is an archetypal hero because he is very clever and has the ability to see himself out of any type of situation. In the Odyssey Odysseus states, “I saw through this and answered with a steady lie.” With this quote the reader can see that Odysseus is very smart and could very easily trick someone. For this reason Odysseus is an archetypal hero. …show more content…
The archetypal villain can be viewed as evil and willing to start trouble. The Cyclops may be seen as evil because he is strong, aggressive, and hostile. In The Odyssey Homer states, “For which we could never move his ponderous doorway slab aside.” The quote shows that the Cyclops has to be very strong to move something that large out of his way. According to The Odyssey, the Cyclops catches two of Odysseus's men in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, which shows that the Cyclops is very hostile and aggressive. Given these points the reader can see that the Cyclops is an archetypal
Odysseus is an archetypal hero. An archetypal hero can be seen as someone who is heroic. Archetypal heroes are usually strong, brave, and willing to take a risk. Odysseus is an archetypal hero because he is very clever and has the ability to see himself out of any type of situation. In the Odyssey Odysseus states, “I saw through this and answered with a steady lie.” With this quote the reader can see that Odysseus is very smart and could very easily trick someone. For this reason Odysseus is an archetypal hero. …show more content…
The archetypal villain can be viewed as evil and willing to start trouble. The Cyclops may be seen as evil because he is strong, aggressive, and hostile. In The Odyssey Homer states, “For which we could never move his ponderous doorway slab aside.” The quote shows that the Cyclops has to be very strong to move something that large out of his way. According to The Odyssey, the Cyclops catches two of Odysseus's men in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, which shows that the Cyclops is very hostile and aggressive. Given these points the reader can see that the Cyclops is an archetypal