For as long as humans have had the cognitive ability to consider human nature, it has been recognized to include many characteristics which most cultures generally regard as flaws. Attributes such as pride, selfishness, enviousness, entitlement, and aloofness are just some of the human traits to which people have given bad connotations over time. Humans who display these characteristics are usually looked down upon and encouraged to attempt to suppress or overcome them. This is a common scenario in literature as well. Characters clearly exhibiting “bad” traits are often punished in some form, whether it be by other humans, gods, creatures, or simply fate itself. The morals of the stories seem apparent: these traits are not acceptable and anyone
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Odysseus, the heroic protagonist of the adventure, is mainly beloved by the people of his homeland Ithaca. However, he exhibits the same major character flaw as Gilgamesh, which causes him immense trouble: hubris. After the fall of Troy in the Trojan War, Odysseus intended to journey back home to Ithaca. Unfortunately for him, his hubris resulted in his journey being extended for many years with many trials and tribulations along the way home. Odysseus and his men stopped on an island inhabited by Cyclopes and took refuge in the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus. After being trapped in the cave, Odysseus was able to escape with a fair amount of his men by stabbing Polyphemus in his eye and hiding under the bellies of sheep when they are let out of the cave. This escape would have been perfectly executed, yet Odysseus’ hubris compelled him to reveal his name in pride as he sailed away from the island, shouting out “Tell [any mortal man] that Odysseus the marauder [blinded you], / Son of Laertes, whose home is on Ithaca” (Homer 9.502-503). This critical mistake allowed Odysseus to learn “what happens when one lets an angry sense of literal truth and an hubristic regard for one’s clever self sway one from caution” (Heatherington 229). Polyphemus, then aware of his assaulter’s name, reported it to his father who happened to be Poseidon, god of the seas. Furious with Odysseus for blinding his son, Poseidon vows to grant Polyphemus’ wish that Odysseus “May never reach his home on Ithaca” (Homer 9.529) or, if he does, that he does so “having lost all companions, / In another’s ship, and find trouble at home” (9.532-533). Odysseus clearly made quite the
Odysseus, the heroic protagonist of the adventure, is mainly beloved by the people of his homeland Ithaca. However, he exhibits the same major character flaw as Gilgamesh, which causes him immense trouble: hubris. After the fall of Troy in the Trojan War, Odysseus intended to journey back home to Ithaca. Unfortunately for him, his hubris resulted in his journey being extended for many years with many trials and tribulations along the way home. Odysseus and his men stopped on an island inhabited by Cyclopes and took refuge in the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus. After being trapped in the cave, Odysseus was able to escape with a fair amount of his men by stabbing Polyphemus in his eye and hiding under the bellies of sheep when they are let out of the cave. This escape would have been perfectly executed, yet Odysseus’ hubris compelled him to reveal his name in pride as he sailed away from the island, shouting out “Tell [any mortal man] that Odysseus the marauder [blinded you], / Son of Laertes, whose home is on Ithaca” (Homer 9.502-503). This critical mistake allowed Odysseus to learn “what happens when one lets an angry sense of literal truth and an hubristic regard for one’s clever self sway one from caution” (Heatherington 229). Polyphemus, then aware of his assaulter’s name, reported it to his father who happened to be Poseidon, god of the seas. Furious with Odysseus for blinding his son, Poseidon vows to grant Polyphemus’ wish that Odysseus “May never reach his home on Ithaca” (Homer 9.529) or, if he does, that he does so “having lost all companions, / In another’s ship, and find trouble at home” (9.532-533). Odysseus clearly made quite the