"Reflections on The Odyssey"
The Odyssey is a human work; therefore, it is flawed in many ways. Critics often write essays and other articles picking out the flaws, however, we do not have to agree with these findings, no matter what our education. The essay, "The Odyssey" by Mark Van Doren, states certain points that I do not agree with, as well as some of which I do agree. Van Doren was a prominent American critic, and published many works throughout the 1940's. In his essay, he discusses the main themes of The Odyssey, and offers his opinions on the subjects. For example, Van Doren discusses the meaning of crying in The Odyssey, and criticizes the ease at which the tears flow. He also comments on The Odyssey being a maze of recognition and disguise, as well as the overuse of foreshadowing.Mark Van Doren's essay, "The Odyssey," is an open criticism on the main themes and points of The Odyssey. Van Doren begins very simply by stating, "The Odyssey is anything but tragedy." He discusses that no matter what Odysseus goes through, we remember his many escape routes and devices which he uses to always escape any challenging situation. Further statements on this subject include that there is too much tragedy that fails to evoke any
They are the most primitive complications possible to story. " Another point Van Doren makes is the "endless supply of tears" in The Odyssey, however, they are often meaningless and once again, offer nothing to the reader. Using the character of Odysseus, Homer demonstrates the creation that is derived from destruction, and the many human flaws that contribute to this. He states, "Everybody weeps, and often, but it seems easy to do so; easy, and even sweet, for these are free dispositions, and tears are their native tongue, in which the truth is spoken. The tears are also meaningless, for they evoke no sympathy from the reader whatsoever. " Also, Van Doren states that too many characters find joy in the sadness of others. Athena's clever use of disguises clouds others' recognition of Odysseus, therefore allowing Odysseus to bask in the light of his own self-discovery. Reading this article also led me to believe certain things which I may not have agreed with before reading. This is again demonstrated in the scene with the Cyclops. Hence the complications, the discoveries, which according to Aristotle were the essence of The Odyssey. It consists at the most in someone's not knowing who Odysseus is, and saying or doing things at which we shall shiver or smile. I think that the ironic nature of Odysseus' identity is rather amusing. I also realized that self-recognition also played a part in the story, which can be easily paralleled to Pip in Great Expectations. New perspectives and insight were major themes in The Odyssey, as demonstrated by Odysseus and Telemakos in their search for identity and clarity. Although many of Van Doren's points are valid ones, however, I do not agree with some.
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Acceptance Essays
