Heroism is defined by Merriam Webster’s Dictionary as: “Heroic conduct especially as exhibited in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end.” However, Joseph Campbell characterizes heroism through a journey. These steps include a departure from home, a crossing of the threshold, a final battle, and a return home with multiple tests throughout the journey that prove the heroic qualities of the person. Though there are multiple components that go into becoming a hero, two of the more important phases are a final battle and a return back home.
One of the most crucial parts of a hero’s journey is a final battle, and, in order to be a hero, a person must prevail against his or her opponent. The Odyssey includes one of these battles, and …show more content…
This can be shown in The Odyssey extremely clearly when Odysseus makes his return back to Ithaca to be reunited with his family. Through seeing his family again, Odysseus is brought great joy and relief which he hasn’t felt for years. The author shows Odysseus’ joy when he states: “Now from his [Odysseus’] breast into his eyes the ache of longing mounted, and he wept at last, his dear wife [Penelope], clear and faithful, in his arms, longed for as the sun warmed earth is longed for by a swimmer” (Homer, Od. 23.81-84). In Odysseus’ case, his return home is very important in his journey to heroism, because it shows how all of his accomplishments have helped him to get to his final goal. In addition, it shows the readers that no matter what Odysseus has to overcome, he will do so in order to get to what he believes in. His return home completes his journey from ordinary person to hero, and, at this point, Odysseus has fully accomplished everything that characterizes a true …show more content…
However, Percy’s return home is not the same as Odysseus’. This is so because, while Odysseus returns by his own great power and triumph, Percy returns with the help of his friends and the Greek gods. Rick Riordan, the author of The Lightning Thief, shows the aid that Percy was given with: “Two of [the Nymphs] took my [Percy Jackson’s] arms, pulling me along. I remember making it to the clearing, a counselor shouting for help, a centaur blowing a conch horn” (Riordan 369). After Percy gets poison in his system, he desperately needs help or else he will die. Therefore, the Greek gods help him and Percy is healed. The help that Percy receives can be viewed by the readers as something that a hero does not need. However, as explained by Joseph Campbell, a hero’s journey includes help from others, and the fact that the Greek gods, themselves, are willing to help Percy shows that he is very important, and that he is becoming a heroic figure. In addition, Percy’s return is important in his journey because, as previously stated, it shows that both mortals and immortals are willing to help him through his journey, and that he is almost superhuman because he is able to complete a seemingly impossible quest. His return symbolizes all of the challenges and setbacks that he can work through, and it shows others that he can rise to the
One of the most crucial parts of a hero’s journey is a final battle, and, in order to be a hero, a person must prevail against his or her opponent. The Odyssey includes one of these battles, and …show more content…
This can be shown in The Odyssey extremely clearly when Odysseus makes his return back to Ithaca to be reunited with his family. Through seeing his family again, Odysseus is brought great joy and relief which he hasn’t felt for years. The author shows Odysseus’ joy when he states: “Now from his [Odysseus’] breast into his eyes the ache of longing mounted, and he wept at last, his dear wife [Penelope], clear and faithful, in his arms, longed for as the sun warmed earth is longed for by a swimmer” (Homer, Od. 23.81-84). In Odysseus’ case, his return home is very important in his journey to heroism, because it shows how all of his accomplishments have helped him to get to his final goal. In addition, it shows the readers that no matter what Odysseus has to overcome, he will do so in order to get to what he believes in. His return home completes his journey from ordinary person to hero, and, at this point, Odysseus has fully accomplished everything that characterizes a true …show more content…
However, Percy’s return home is not the same as Odysseus’. This is so because, while Odysseus returns by his own great power and triumph, Percy returns with the help of his friends and the Greek gods. Rick Riordan, the author of The Lightning Thief, shows the aid that Percy was given with: “Two of [the Nymphs] took my [Percy Jackson’s] arms, pulling me along. I remember making it to the clearing, a counselor shouting for help, a centaur blowing a conch horn” (Riordan 369). After Percy gets poison in his system, he desperately needs help or else he will die. Therefore, the Greek gods help him and Percy is healed. The help that Percy receives can be viewed by the readers as something that a hero does not need. However, as explained by Joseph Campbell, a hero’s journey includes help from others, and the fact that the Greek gods, themselves, are willing to help Percy shows that he is very important, and that he is becoming a heroic figure. In addition, Percy’s return is important in his journey because, as previously stated, it shows that both mortals and immortals are willing to help him through his journey, and that he is almost superhuman because he is able to complete a seemingly impossible quest. His return symbolizes all of the challenges and setbacks that he can work through, and it shows others that he can rise to the