1.What does The Odyssey show us about the essential values and beliefs of Ancient Greek culture?*
The Odyssey, written by Homer, shows us that the Ancient Greeks were strong believers in the gods and being good hosts, which is also known as good xenias. In Book 10, King Aeolus says, “It’s a crime to host a man or speed him on his way when the blessed deathless gods despise him so” (Homer 232.80). This shows how Aeolus wants to be a good host. But, as it is obvious that Odysseus is cursed by the gods, Aeolus knows better than to contradict the gods by helping Odysseus. “But now, seeing you’ve reached our city and our land, you’ll never lack for clothing or any other gift” (Homer 174.210). This quote from Book 6 is from when Princess Nausicaa …show more content…
What qualities make Odysseus a hero? What qualities detract from his heroism?*
Odysseus has many qualities that make him a hero, but he also has traits that detract him from his heroism. Odysseus’ determination, power, and wit characterizes him as a hero. Odysseus is told, in Book 12, “‘You’re a hard man, Odysseus. Your fighting spirit’s stronger than ours,your stamina never fails You must be made of iron head to foot’” (Homer 280.302). This shows how Odysseus is a fighter who does not give up. Although Odysseus has heroic qualities, he also cries a prodigious amount, and he will kill anything to get what he wants, which makes him less heroic. “Off he sat on a headland, weeping there as always wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish” (Homer 155.93). This quote from Book 5 shows how Odysseus is always crying and not doing anything to help his situation of being stuck on Ogygia. Along with that, the quote from Book 22, “‘Unless he’s dead by now, killed by Philoetius or Eumaeus here-or ran into you rampaging in through the halls’” (Homer 450.79), shows how Odysseus might have killed an innocent man in the battle against the …show more content…
For example, when Odysseus is captured by the Cyclops Polyphemus, Odysseus is able to escape the cyclops’ cave and save some of his men. “But once we’s plowed the breakers twice as far, again I began to taunt the Cyclops-men trying to check me, calm me, left and right” (Homer 226.547). This quote from Book 9 shows how Odysseus decided to ridicule the cyclops by exulting in his victory. Odysseus yells his name, which allows Polyphemus to know who he is. Polyphemus then prays to Poseidon for revenge. Not only does Odysseus want to celebrate his victories in a prideful way, he is blinded by his pride, into almost killing an innocent man. But, Telemachus stops him in time: “‘Stop, don’t cut him down! This one’s innocent. So is the herald Medon-the one who always tended me in the house when I was little-spare him too. Unless he’s dead by now, killed by Philoetius or Eumaeus here-or ran into you rampaging through the halls’” (Homer 450.376). This quote from Book 22 shows how Odysseus almost killed a man, because he wanted to salvage his pride in his homeland by killing all those who didn’t belong in his
The Odyssey, written by Homer, shows us that the Ancient Greeks were strong believers in the gods and being good hosts, which is also known as good xenias. In Book 10, King Aeolus says, “It’s a crime to host a man or speed him on his way when the blessed deathless gods despise him so” (Homer 232.80). This shows how Aeolus wants to be a good host. But, as it is obvious that Odysseus is cursed by the gods, Aeolus knows better than to contradict the gods by helping Odysseus. “But now, seeing you’ve reached our city and our land, you’ll never lack for clothing or any other gift” (Homer 174.210). This quote from Book 6 is from when Princess Nausicaa …show more content…
What qualities make Odysseus a hero? What qualities detract from his heroism?*
Odysseus has many qualities that make him a hero, but he also has traits that detract him from his heroism. Odysseus’ determination, power, and wit characterizes him as a hero. Odysseus is told, in Book 12, “‘You’re a hard man, Odysseus. Your fighting spirit’s stronger than ours,your stamina never fails You must be made of iron head to foot’” (Homer 280.302). This shows how Odysseus is a fighter who does not give up. Although Odysseus has heroic qualities, he also cries a prodigious amount, and he will kill anything to get what he wants, which makes him less heroic. “Off he sat on a headland, weeping there as always wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish” (Homer 155.93). This quote from Book 5 shows how Odysseus is always crying and not doing anything to help his situation of being stuck on Ogygia. Along with that, the quote from Book 22, “‘Unless he’s dead by now, killed by Philoetius or Eumaeus here-or ran into you rampaging in through the halls’” (Homer 450.79), shows how Odysseus might have killed an innocent man in the battle against the …show more content…
For example, when Odysseus is captured by the Cyclops Polyphemus, Odysseus is able to escape the cyclops’ cave and save some of his men. “But once we’s plowed the breakers twice as far, again I began to taunt the Cyclops-men trying to check me, calm me, left and right” (Homer 226.547). This quote from Book 9 shows how Odysseus decided to ridicule the cyclops by exulting in his victory. Odysseus yells his name, which allows Polyphemus to know who he is. Polyphemus then prays to Poseidon for revenge. Not only does Odysseus want to celebrate his victories in a prideful way, he is blinded by his pride, into almost killing an innocent man. But, Telemachus stops him in time: “‘Stop, don’t cut him down! This one’s innocent. So is the herald Medon-the one who always tended me in the house when I was little-spare him too. Unless he’s dead by now, killed by Philoetius or Eumaeus here-or ran into you rampaging through the halls’” (Homer 450.376). This quote from Book 22 shows how Odysseus almost killed a man, because he wanted to salvage his pride in his homeland by killing all those who didn’t belong in his