The Journey of Odysseus
Odysseus's Journey to Becoming The Epic Hero Outline I. Introduction - In Homer's The Odyssey the tale of a man's journey back home after long years at war is also the tale of a man's spiritual journey through his own soul. II. The beginning - Odysseus leaves Troy feeling almost immortal and this pride is what leads to his downfall and second rise. III. The middle - Odysseus undergoes his symbolic death and rebirth. IV. The end - Odysseus has regained power over his household and has restored order to his life. V. Conclusion In Homer's The Odyssey, the tale of a man's journey home after long years at war, is also the tale of a man's spiritual journey through his own soul. Odysseus' role 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 in 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 in Book IX. The beginning of his tale displays the bloodthirsty warrior that left Troy. What of thos
e 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 this greed and bloodlust, nearly a third of each ship's crew was lost. This bloodthirsty warrior cared only for battle and blood, instead of his men and his return home. After stopping on the island of Aiaia, the home of Kirke, Odysseus journeys to Hades. This represents a symbolic death for Odysseus. There he must speak with Teirasias to hear the prophet's visions for Odysseus's journey home. Teirasias predicts that the journey can take two paths; either a peaceful journey home, or if the crew and Odysseus can not restrain their desires, death and destruction will befall the crew. Odysseus and his crew do not heed Teirasias's warning, and the entire crew save Odysseus is lost at sea. After nine years on Kalypso's island Odysseus finally continues his journey home. 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. The sweet days of his life time Were running out in anguish over his exile, For long ago the nymph had ceased to pleas
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1136
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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