Odyssey Penelope and Odysseus as Archetypes
The Odyssey provides readers an illustration of the archetype Greek and is the defining example of how life existed in Greek Society. Every prominent civilization throughout the history of man has been able to look to archetypes within their own society for an example of how to live an idealized life. The process of finding role models has changed over time. Today, Americans find role models in sports, the entertainment industry, and church. The ancient Chinese looked to great warriors and philosophers as role models. In ancient Greece role models were found in stories passed down through generations that showed people how to be happy and lead a good life. In The Odyssey, by Homer, the role models are Odysseus and the people that stand by his side. Penelope is the prominent female figure standing by Odysseus side. Penelope is the only true role model in The Odyssey for women. A woman's mission in life in Geek times was to bear children and take care of the house. The!y are depicted as being weak in mind and will. Penelope on the other hand is a breath of fresh air to the women of Homer's time. Penelope and Odysseus go through the hardest struggle a man and a woman can go through in life. This is why Penelop
After a few days Odysseus reluctantly shows off his physical domination by playing in the athletic games. Odysseus hears a singer singing of the battle of Troy and weeps. In seeing this King Alcinous asks him who he is. Odysseus tells them his name and the story of his life. He tells them of his attack and plundering of Troy and how on his way home he was blown off course to the land of the Lotus-Eaters and to the island of Cyclopes. On the island curiosity and greed led his men to enter the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus. Homer, The Odyssey. trans by Robert Fagles, New York: Penguin Group, 1996. Kabanova, Irina, Archetypes, Odysseus, 1985 Penelope can be seen as an archetype best by first illustrating what makes Odysseus an archetype. Odysseus experiences all the good and bad a man can receive in life. Odysseus struggled through many trials and has played many roles. "Homer alone presented the whole man - the wise king, the loving husband and father, the brave warrior, the eloquent and resourceful polituque, the courageous wanderer, the goddess-beloved hero, the yearning exile, the devisor of many rules and disguises, the triumphant avenger, the grandson of Autolycus and the favorite of Athene"(Kabanova 1). After struggling through many trials and assuming many roles Odysseus can be seen as the complete man. why Penelope has the role of archetype. Griffin, Jasper, Homer, The Odyssey. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1987. Parada, Carlos, Penelope, December 6,2000 Trapped in the cave, Odysseus watches Cyclops kill his men around him. Odysseus decides he must act quickly and uses his wit to defeat the Cyclops and free his men. He blinds Cyclops and then sneaks out of the cave hiding under the animals that Cyclops lets out. This act is a perfect example of how Odysseus uses his mind to defeat the circumstances presented to him. Poseidon was not happy with what Odysseus did to his son. Poseidon decides to punish Odysseus every chance he gets. Odysseus and his men wind up at the floating island of the god Aeolus. Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag containing all the winds except the much needed west wind. While Odysseus is sleeping his crew opens the bag and the winds blow them back to Aeolus, who refuses to have any more to do with them. Next, Odysseus finds himself in the land of ogres who destroy eleven ships and their crews. The one surviving vessel comes to the island of Circe. Circe turns some of Odysseus' men into pigs. Odysseu! e and Odysseus are both archetypes for the men and women of their time.
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Approximate Word count = 1896
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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