“Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.” (H. Jackson Brown, Jr.) An individual’s character consists of how a person acts in an adverse or foreign setting since a person has specific behaviors in these situations. Like the Odyssey written by Homer, the main character, Odysseus, is lost at sea and has to fight Greek legends and appeal to the good graces of other nations to find his way home. So as the novel progresses, there is a disconnect between the great stories and tales his friends and family tell, and what can actually be observed from his point of view. The Odyssey by Homer utilizes Odysseus’ trials and behavior in unfavorable conditions to communicate the idea that an individual's character is determined by their reactions when opposed to an obstacle.
Contrasting …show more content…
Homer starts in media res with Odysseus’ son Telemachos, who Odysseus left as a newborn where the young man journeys to hear any rumors of his father. He sails to Menelaos’ island where he listens to Helen’s stories about her time in Troy, where she met Odysseus who was, “cruelly scored with lashes,” then “entered the streets of the enemy town,” and “pretended to be a beggar,” (Rouse 55) From Helen’s account, Odysseus is depicted as one who takes one for his team and is able to sacrifice himself for the benefit of others which speaks a great deal to his character, considering he is in the middle of the Trojan war and is able to step up to the plate to gather. As Homer steps away from Telemachos’ journey and settles into Odysseus’ tale, Odysseus escapes the seductress Calypso and lands in Phaiacia where he appeals to the Queen by informing her of his ten years of trials to persuade her to help him. In one instance, Odysseus cleverly conquers the cyclops, Polyphemus, and as he rides under a flock a sheep to escape he is reluctantly called
Contrasting …show more content…
Homer starts in media res with Odysseus’ son Telemachos, who Odysseus left as a newborn where the young man journeys to hear any rumors of his father. He sails to Menelaos’ island where he listens to Helen’s stories about her time in Troy, where she met Odysseus who was, “cruelly scored with lashes,” then “entered the streets of the enemy town,” and “pretended to be a beggar,” (Rouse 55) From Helen’s account, Odysseus is depicted as one who takes one for his team and is able to sacrifice himself for the benefit of others which speaks a great deal to his character, considering he is in the middle of the Trojan war and is able to step up to the plate to gather. As Homer steps away from Telemachos’ journey and settles into Odysseus’ tale, Odysseus escapes the seductress Calypso and lands in Phaiacia where he appeals to the Queen by informing her of his ten years of trials to persuade her to help him. In one instance, Odysseus cleverly conquers the cyclops, Polyphemus, and as he rides under a flock a sheep to escape he is reluctantly called