Archetypes In The Odyssey Essay

    Most people think of a hero as a strong, superior, good-looking person that could never make a mistake. However, in a story called The Odyssey, a connection to real life reveals imperfections to be common in heroes. Each person has their low points and highlights, regardless of their “rank”. The author and epic poet, Homer, exemplifies our main character, Odysseus, to take on this idea of a hero throughout his writing. The time period took place in Ancient Greece, allowing Greek culture to relate to the poem. Different aspects of such culture and history may have influenced the works and creativity of Homer as well. A major point includes The Trojan War because it focuses in on Odysseus’ journey to bring Helen back home by devising a plan to destroy warriors in the city. Acknowledge this factor when reading The Odyssey, for not only evidence of heroism, but also other major points of archetypes, in which the device reflects the insights of readers in modern time and what is seen from Ancient Greek culture.

In the book the Odyssey, Odysseus is an archetypal hero for several reasons. An archetype hero is “a person, generally a man, of tremendous physical strength who loves his family and country equally.”(handout).

Odysseus is considered an archetype because he is considered to be the ideal example of manhood. Odysseus is a strong leader who is greatly admired by peers, subjects, and even enemies. However, Odysseus displays some negative characteristics. In conclusion, Odysseus is considered an archetype because of his manly character and leadership

Throughout the plot of The Odyssey, there were a few strong examples of the archetype, to hell and back. The overall archetype in The Odyssey is used quite literally most of the time. In this sense, it is used to describe the underworld, which is considered quite dreadful for those who are forced to reside there, due to death. In the first instance, Odysseus had to go to the underworld to carry on with his quest to go home. It is a literal example of the archetype and overall aid Odysseus.

The Greek story mentions how the first race of man were exceedingly wicked, thus howling the archetype of man in transgression. Zeus sent a flood to destroy the men of the Bronze Age, showing one of the flood archetypes of the divine cause of destruction. When the first race of men was destroyed, Deucalion and his family survived due to his prudence and piety. He exhibited the archetype of a favored family. Additionally, Deucalion loaded his wives and all children and all animals onto a great ark.

Archetypes are evident in all kinds of classic literature, but Homer’s The Odyssey reveals archetypes in heroes, villains, and a journey. Odysseus, the Cyclops, and Penelope are specific examples of archetypes in this epic poem.

Heroes, as depicted in literature, often undertake the most difficult tasks. They place themselves in mortal danger in order to bring back knowledge and treasure for themselves and their societies. Their stories follow what premier mythologist, Joseph Campbell calls the “Hero's Journey”. The Hero’s Journey archetype is the typical sequence of events any hero will go through in order to become who he or she is. As verbally stated by Campbell, a hero’s journey will always start with the departure, develop into the initiation and end with the return. Homer's The Odyssey with Odysseus as its hero, is a classic example and closely follows the complete cycle of the hero’s journey. In The Odyssey, Odysseus goes through a tough departure from his known

Archetype is utilized for the maiden witch and the self-absorbed temptress, who both serve as the feminine distractions that his men and especially Odysseus face during their quest and just serve to show the predatory powers that women are capable of having over men. Symbolism is utilized for the sea and the sirens in order to communicate the theme of life’s inevitable hardships and their repercussions on a person; it serves to show that Odysseus’ journey was not an easy one due to the temptations and virtual privations he faced at sea. In addition, characterization is used to demonstrate the undying loyalty of Penelope and Argos, who serve to show the eternal bond that love can attach to a person, even after a timeframe of twenty long years. The usage of literary devices in The Odyssey serve to show that no life, even that of a hero’s, is easy but instead is often shaped through the moral lessons he learns through his

While reading this poem, the reader can identify many archetypes. There are the heroes, the villains, the wise teachers and many more. Numerous themes and ideas are portrayed throughout this poem, it is the basis of which all other books model themselves after. “The Odyssey” was written by Homer in 720 BC, known as the Bronze Age. It is an Epic that tells the story of a father, Odysseus, who goes through many trials and adventures In order to be reunited with his Wife Penelope, and Son Telemachus.

In "The Odyssey" by Homer, main character Odysseus is the typical Greek archetype of hero. He won the genetic lottery, has an attractive wife and kid, and is now a strapping war victor with all the ladies fawning over him -- his only problem is that the gods are literally conspiring against him to make it harder to return home. In reality, it is Odysseus' ego and selfish mindset that create the problems he's facing. Although his wife and child are at home, presumably suffering in grief and without income, he maintains a "woe-is-me" attitude, demonstrated by his musing that "the sweet days of his lifetime were running out in anguish over his exile... " (Homer 653), with not a word spared for his dearest beloved, all while he frolics about with

The Odyssey is full of heroic, trustworthy, and loyal characteristics. The Odyssey is best known for its Greek hero, Odysseus. The Odyssey is an Ancient Greek epic by Homer. It was written in the eighth century. It is the second of the two epic poems written by Homer, The Iliad being the first.

In mythological epics, the narrative often depicts imageries of masculinity; they follow a journey of prophecy; fulfilment of destiny and/or a journey of honour (reference) in male characters thus securing their masculine status among their peers. Women however are often binary opposite of the reward, obstacle, or the love interest/desire in these epics (reference); another interpretation is that, in their own right, these women displayed honour and strength, demonstrating both androgynous traits during the Trojan War. In my research, I found it difficult to find literature that publicized female heroes and epic journeys from the point of view of a woman. However, the two that I have found come from Homer’s Odyssey (Leeming, 2005. 297) and

Odysseus is the main character of the narrative poem “The Odyssey.” Odysseus is a brave character that goes on a journey to head back home to Ithaca after the war. On his way, he and his companions endure many trials and tribulations. But he always thinks up a way to get out of these situations. Throughout this essay, I’m going to discuss what makes Odysseus and epic hero, what are some of his qualities and flaws, and why Odysseus is considered an archetype.

Another trait that Odysseus demonstrates repeatedly throughout the story is his loyalty. In various situations he never gives up on his crew, even when he has reason to. During an episode in the epic, Odysseus travels to the underworld to receive a prophecy. He meets his great friend Elpenor, who has died earlier in Circe’s hall. Because he is unburied and unmourned he asks Odysseus to build a cairn in his honor. Odysseus replies, “Unhappy spirit, / I promise you the barrow and the burial.” (Homer, lines 609-610). Although Odysseus is preoccupied with finding Tiresias, he shows loyalty to his crew mate by spending time with his spirit, and carrying out the spirit’s request. It could have been easy for Odysseus to ignore the spirit of Elpenor, but Odysseus shows a real emotional reply to this meeting. Not only does he show loyalty to his crew but his homeland as well. Although he could have given up during the ten year span Odysseus wandered from home, he persisted even though giving up would have been easier. At one point Odysseus is detained by the enchantress, Circe, but remains determined to reach home:

Epic heroes are larger than life characters in epic poems who embody honorable traits representative of their societies. In the epics Beowulf, Gilgamesh, the Iliad, and the Odyssey, there are five characters from English and greek literature who each are considered to be epic heroes in their own ways. These heroes are Beowulf, Gilgamesh, Achilles, Hector, and Odysseus. Despite these epic heroes originating in different cultures, the characters follow archetypal patterns, are similar in many ways, and each embodies important traits that are representative of their various cultures.