Odyssey Hero's Journey Analysis

In the “Odyssey” by Homer, Odysseus overcomes many challenges to get home after he fought in the Trojan War. The “Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell represents the adventure Odysseus takes to achieve his goals. Odysseus goes on the path of the “Hero’s Journey” while he tries to make it back home to Ithaca.The “Odyssey” follows the “Hero’s Journey” because Odysseus faces the unknown, he has Supernatural Aid, and there is a Reward on his Journey Home. Odysseus travels to unknown places while journeying home. He comes across the island of the Cyclops, Polyphemus. Odysseus goes into the Cyclop’s cave, “[wishing] to see the cave man”(Homer 565). He has never before met a Cyclops and does not know what he will act like. This relates to the “Hero’s Journey” because the essay states, “As they embark on their journey, the hero's enter a world they have never experienced before” (Campbell). This is just one of the many challenges Odysseus faces on his voyage to his home. He encounters many unknown places and creatures that he must overcome and figure out how to get pass …show more content…
Unfortunately, he has to deal with the suitors to get his kingdom back. He gets his son, Telemachus, as his reward, but he still has to go on his journey home, or in this case, fight for his home. Odysseus makes a plan to get rid of the suitors and tells his son, “ If son of mine you are and blood of mine, let no one hear Odysseus is about”(Homer 600). Telemachus will help him get into the kingdom and destroy the suitors. The next task is to fight the suitors. Joseph Campbell states, “ after the heros complete the supreme ordeal and have the reward firmly in hand, all that is left is for them to return home”(Campbell). He disguises himself as an old beggar to get into his kingdom without people knowing who he is. Odysseus tricks the suitors and he eventually kills them all for treating him badly as an old beggar and trying to take his