Who Is the Monster in Odyssey in Current Society?
Ahmad
November 17, 2011
World Literature
Professor:
Who is the monster in Odyssey in current society?
After reading the epic The Odyssey, I have realized that Odysseus can be identified in various distinctive ways. The most arguable question that the Odyssey leaves its readers with is who is the monster in this epic? Throughout the story he is being recognized as a great hero but upon finishing the story I have realized it that this man Odysseus, is the monster in this story. The same goes for Polyphemus; he is referred to as a cruel beast in the beginning but readers perceive him in a different way when he is crying. Polyphemus is much more than the merciless monster he is often thought of as being; but in my view, Odysseus is more of a monster than Polyphemus. Odysseus doesn’t signify the principles of modern-day culture. Nevertheless several of his talents are still appreciated; many of his actions are now reflected upon as being morally wrong. The motive of the epic was to perpetuate the values of the Greek society. The morals today have been shaped by our society, and many of these moralities have improved. That’s why he is well thought out a monster in current society.
Odysseus would only be considered a hero if he would’ve consistently showed courage as necessary, instead he was a coward putting his warriors lives in danger to save his. He was a selfish man; Odysseus was too dependent on his warriors and other Gods/Goddesses to protect his life. He put other lives in danger to protect his own; this shows how cowardly he is to use others as pawn to make himself look like the hero. “ I beg you, goddess, tell me is there is there any way I can escape from Charybdis” “Athena stood beside him, fleshing out the limbs of the great commander.” (Puchner 587) Real heroes only kill when there is a definitely need for it however Odysseus would even massacre poor people lives for glory. Not only that I have remember Odysseus cried numerous times, ‘this broke
November 17, 2011
World Literature
Professor:
Who is the monster in Odyssey in current society?
After reading the epic The Odyssey, I have realized that Odysseus can be identified in various distinctive ways. The most arguable question that the Odyssey leaves its readers with is who is the monster in this epic? Throughout the story he is being recognized as a great hero but upon finishing the story I have realized it that this man Odysseus, is the monster in this story. The same goes for Polyphemus; he is referred to as a cruel beast in the beginning but readers perceive him in a different way when he is crying. Polyphemus is much more than the merciless monster he is often thought of as being; but in my view, Odysseus is more of a monster than Polyphemus. Odysseus doesn’t signify the principles of modern-day culture. Nevertheless several of his talents are still appreciated; many of his actions are now reflected upon as being morally wrong. The motive of the epic was to perpetuate the values of the Greek society. The morals today have been shaped by our society, and many of these moralities have improved. That’s why he is well thought out a monster in current society.
Odysseus would only be considered a hero if he would’ve consistently showed courage as necessary, instead he was a coward putting his warriors lives in danger to save his. He was a selfish man; Odysseus was too dependent on his warriors and other Gods/Goddesses to protect his life. He put other lives in danger to protect his own; this shows how cowardly he is to use others as pawn to make himself look like the hero. “ I beg you, goddess, tell me is there is there any way I can escape from Charybdis” “Athena stood beside him, fleshing out the limbs of the great commander.” (Puchner 587) Real heroes only kill when there is a definitely need for it however Odysseus would even massacre poor people lives for glory. Not only that I have remember Odysseus cried numerous times, ‘this broke
Cited: The odyssey Puncher, Martin. The Norton Anthology World Literature, Volume 1. 3rd. A. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 430-431. Print. Puncher, Martin. The Norton Anthology World Literature, Volume 1. 3rd. A. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 430-431. Print. Odysseys Translated Fagles , Robert. Homer The Odyssey . Deluxe Edition, 1997. New York : Penguin Classics, 1997. 214-215. eBook. <http://www.scribd.com/doc/52280051/9/Book-IX>. Romance Fuchs , Barbara. Romance. 2. New York : Routledge Taylor and Francis Group , 2004. eBook. <http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Critical-Idiom-Barbara-Fuchs/dp/0415212618>.