Analysis Of The Odyssey - 1971 Words

Shane Nordquist English I Honors per. 4 1/22/16 response 1: The Odyssey, being an epic poem is likely to include several typical examples of personalities we are used to seeing. As epic poems often do, the Odyssey describes the Greek view of many of these core archetypes. Odysseus being demonstrated as the hero shows us the Greek value of heroism through his wonderful feats, and his downfalls, his sheer prowess, but also his flaws. In the Greek society, as in any, it is clearly evident that the hero would be strong, or possess impressive physical ability. Odysseus is on exception, as he performed many feats of physical strength. To cite one specifically, as said by our teacher, Ms. Douglass, Odysseus tieing his men to the underbelly of†¦show more content†¦As well, in chapter nine, Odysseus is able to mislead the cyclops into believing his name is nobody, so that when the cyclops is being attacked, he would shout â€Å"Nobody is killing me!†. This in particular shows that the Greeks valued and praised education an d intelligence. They also valued the ability to be cunning, and to manipulate. Odysseus is more than smart, or driven, he is a great leader. The ancient Greeks, as did every culture valued their leaders, whom were to be treated with the utmost respect, and exalted as if a god on earth. The greeks were no exception, and they valued the position of leadership, and the person worthy of holding such a powerful office. However, Odysseus is a hero not just in his success, but his downfall, not in just his cunning, but his flaws as well. What this shows about Greek culture, is that regardless of the hero’s great ability, and prowess, they do have downfalls, and they do make mistakes. The Greeks were able to see flaws as a normal characteristic, something people did not want or enjoy, but accepted the fact that these downfalls were human nature, and that no one was immune to their deficits, yet they could still be great. To give an example for odysseus’s fatal flaw (arrogance) perhaps one could demonstrate the very scene in which Odysseus truly asserts his intellectual prowess. Odysseus, overwhelmed by his pride, and ability to trick the cyclops, reveals his true name,