odysseus as an epic hero
The role of Odysseus as an epic hero is modified throughout the epic poem. As Odysseus leaves Troy for home, he is the typical bloodthirsty warrior. During the course of his trek, he undergoes a symbolic death and rebirth. Upon his arrival to Ithaka, the wiser man he has become is evident. The odyssey is Odysseus' story of his journey not only from troy to Ithaka, but also from bloodthirsty warrior to epic hero. Odysseus begins the tale of his trip from troy to Phaiakia. The beginning of his tale displays the bloodthirsty warrior that left troy. "What of those years of rough adventure, weathered under Zeus? The wind that carried west from Ilion brought me to Ismaros, on the far shore, a strongpoint on the coast of Kikones. I stormed that place and killed the men who fought". The first lines of Odysseus' story display his warrior side. This passage shows how he and his crew landed and immediately went to battle and plundered. Although Odysseus recalls telling his men to stop afterwards and return to the ship, he never really forcibly tried to make the men return. The lack of effort on Odysseus' part implies that he did not truly care if the men ransacked Ilion. Due to his greed and bloodlust, near
No man should flout the law, but keep in peace what gifts the gods may give". "The strong god glittering left her as he spoke, and now her ladyship, having given heed to Zeus's mandate, went to find Odysseus in his stone seat to seaward-tear on tear brimming his eyes. By the time Odysseus returns to Ithaka he is no longer the fierce warrior he was when he left troy. Odysseus has revealed that he now knows the error of his ways, he fully admits to the evil in being a prideful warrior. After stopping on the island of Aiaia, the home of Kirke, Odysseus journeys to Hades. After nine years on Kalypso's island Odysseus finally continues his journey home. Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, tells the story of a man who through extreme turmoil realizes his faults and learns to be a more balanced individual. Odysseus had begun to lose hope of ever getting home. Odysseus has battled his fellow man and won; he has struggled with monster and triumphed, he has grappled with temptation and overcome human desire; but most importantly, he has combated against the evils of his own soul and prevailed. His time of incubation on Kalypso's isle is over and he emerges naked and bloody - like the day he was born. Through a symbolic death and rebirth, Odysseus has become a man who is worthy to be called an epic hero. He has also learned that a man is not as strong as he wants to be; a man is as strong as the gods want him to be. Odysseus' journey has thought him many valuable lessons. Once he has landed on Phaiakia, Odysseus realizes that he cannot continue on as a bloodthirsty warrior, but rather must heed the wisdom passed is at this point that Odysseus begins to fully comprehend the effects his actions have on those around him, as well as on his future. This represents a symbolic death for Odysseus.
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Acceptance Essays
