Similarities Between The Odyssey And The Test Of The Great Bow

Odysseus has been held in Polyphemus’s cave for some time now, so he devises a plan of escape. Odysseus speaks out to his crew for help saying “Who’d brave it out with me to hoist our stake and grind it into his eye.” (221) This foreshadows Odysseus and his crew grinding the stake into the cyclops eye, ultimately leading to the crew's escape. As his journey home escalates and challenges become harder, Odysseus is faced with the ultimatum for the The Cattle of The Sun. Prior to his decision he is warned “Leave the beast unharmed, your mind set on home, and you all may still reach Ithaca-but harm them in any way, and I can see it now: your ship destroyed, your men destroyed as well, and even if you escape, you'll come home late, all shipmates lost, and come a broken man.” (275) Homer includes the foreshadowing of the blind prophet's statement, informing spectators of the two possible outcomes based off Odysseus and his crew's choice. Before the slaughter of the suitors has even occurred, Homer foreshadows the event vaguely. As the suitors continue to disrespect Odysseus it is brought to their attention that, “Once under his own roof, he and your friends, believe you me, won’t part till blood has flowed” (380) The foreshadowment is obvious when stated “won't part till blood has flowed”, implying that in time to come Odysseus will not part from the suitors unless blood has been

Heroes, as shown in literature, often undertake the most difficult tasks and place themselves in mortal danger in order to bring back, for themselves and their societies, both knowledge and treasure. Their stories follow “Hero Journey.” The Odyssey, as the epic story of the hero Odysseus, follows closely the complete cycle of a Hero Journey, both as a physical and as a psychological undertaking. The Hero Journey, used as a framework for both Odysseus’ physical and mental journeys, serves to bind the two together. Each of Odysseus’s physical difficulties can be viewed as a metaphor for a psychological hardship that he must overcome, and by overcoming these hardships, Odysseus matures—achieving a more complete understanding of himself and

Throughout the epic poem Odysseus displays the quality arrogance through the way he acts when dealing with difficult situations harm his men. For instance,

Since it was originally written in the 8th century, The Odyssey by Homer has served as inspiration to many writers and artists, who tell the story of the lost king of Ithaca, Odysseus. In Book 21 of The Odyssey “The Contest with Odysseus’ Bow”, Penelope, Odysseus’ Wife, decides that her beloved Odysseus will not return and therefore sets up a contest for the suitors to decide who her future husband will be. One portrayal of this contest is in O’Grady’s poem “The Test of the Bow” where the poet describes the act of Odysseus stringing and shooting the bow. Although Book 21 of The Odyssey by Homer and O’Grady’s poem “The Test of the Bow” express similarities in characterization, they differ in diction and tone.

In the Greek literature of mythology, we have examined Odysseus. Students and scholars alike debate whether Odysseus was a true hero, as read in The Odyssey. There is much supporting evidence to prove all sides of the debate and opinions held of Odysseus. It is of my opinion that Odysseus is a hero in his homeland, his family, the Greek people, and for us to learn from to this day. Odysseus had encompassed three many qualities that I believe made him a hero. He embodied, mental strength, physical strength, and spiritual strength. I would like to advocate for why Odysseus was a hero.

The Odyssey is one of the oldest well known stories to date, and it is believed to be written around 2000 years ago. Its age is not the most fascinating fact though, the epic poem is comprised of 12,000 lines of death-defying, adventurous tales that are separated into different episodes. The Character traits of the might Odysseus, the structure of The Odyssey, the diction within the epic poem will be explained in this essay.

Telemachus, preparing to be the first to string Odysseus’ bow, “leapt to his feet and dropped his bright red cloak, slipping the sword and sword-belt off his shoulders” (353). The abruptness of Telemachus' actions create anticipation and reveal horror soon to befall the suitors. The quick way in which Telemachus allows his red coat to fall foreshadows how swiftly the red blood of the suitors will be spilled onto the floor. After Odysseus takes aim and shoots the bow through all twelve axes, “he snatche[s] a winged arrow lying bare on the board - the rest still bristled deep inside the quiver, soon to be tasted by all the feasters there” (363). Homer establishes Odysseus’ impatience to take action against the suitors as he plucks an arrow up from the ground. Tension rises as Odysseus’ thirst for revenge is emphasized by the remaining arrows he longs to shoot the suitors with. The details in Odysseus and Telemachus’ actions reveal how the deaths of the suitors will be in no way quiet, but rather painful and

The Odyssey is filled with emotion and adventure. Homer’s ability to show and give the reader a visual of each and every scene gives the story its unbelievable significance. To all the people who read his work there is something to be captured within every sentence, each one different in its own, unique way. Through tales of courage and defeat, friendship and love this book tells of all the values within the life of a single, solitary man, and his journey to attain what is true and dear to him. And this journey is known to all of us as The Odyssey. The Odyssey is a test of human devotion and trust through the gods, the mortals, and the obstacles through which they venture. No matter where they go or what they do, humans are tested for

It is an unspoken truth in Homer’s Odyssey that “home“ is something good. All that Odysseus seems to want throughout the poem is to come home again, but that is one thing he is not granted from the god Poseidon for nearly ten years time. On the first page of the Odyssey we learn that all his friends-in-arms had the fortune of returning home “while he alone still hungered for home and wife.“ (The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald; Book I, line 21-22). The original intention of this paper is the question: What is home? What is it that Odysseus yearns for so long? But reading through the Odyssey again it came to mind, that this question might go beyond the constraints of this essay, considering that Homer describes not just Odysseus’ home, but also shows the reader (or listener) glimpses of the homes of Meneláos, Nestor and Alkínoös. Throughout the Odyssey one of the most central themes of this poem is the topic of “homecoming“ illustrated through Odysseus’ struggle to get home again. Odysseus desire for his home is so overwhelmingly strong “that he longs to die“ just for the sight of seeing “the hearth smoke leaping upward from his own island“ (I., l. 78-80). And yet after years and years, after his long and troublesome passage home “trials and danger, even so, attended him even in Ithaka, near those he loves“ (I., l. 26-30). This hints right at the beginning of the Odyssey at something essential in it: even after a voyage full of doubt and fear, a peaceful

Throughout history, poets, authors, and directors have created characters labeled as “heroes”. These figures can be brave and kind; they can be strong and intelligent, but regardless of the attributes these “heroes” possess, they reflect those valued and admired by the people of that time and culture. Homer, the author of book nine of The Odyssey, “In the One-Eyed Giant’s Cave,” used the character Odysseus to appear heroic by showcasing the traits readers would find most desirable in a person. Homer showed such characteristics in Odysseus when he wrote him to be brave when confronted with danger, intelligent in problem-solving, and extremely loyal to his homeland.

While the suitors sat and mocked him, he accomplished the task. Homer uses the epic simile, "Meantime wise Odysseus, when he had handled the great bow and scanned it closely, -even as one well-skilled to play the lyre and sing stretches with ease round its new peg a string, securing at each end the twisted sheep-gut; so without effort did Odysseus string the mighty bow...Great consternation came upon the suitors. All faces then changed color" (210), to describe the moment of honor. This is telling of Odysseus' agility because he saw the perfect timing to overcome the challenge in order to get a roused response from the suitors. This ability to think quickly and see the needs of the moment helps Odysseus seem more powerful than he may actually be.

We are storm veterans. Hurricanes come along every late summer and fall in New Orleans. It is part of life in the Gulf Coast. You make sure you always have emergency supplies handy. You have a storm shelter, or a plan to get together with friends and family someplace safe. Hurricanes are just a thing we deal with around here.

The patient was brought to the clinic for a clinic visit. She has severe eczema on her arms, legs, and body but the place of concern is her mouth. In her mouth, she has severe ulcers, bleeding gums, and a thick white substance attached to her tongue. Reporter believes she has a severe infection in her mouth. The mother and grandmother were at the visit. They stated the child has been unable to eat or drink. She has lost 3 pounds within the last couple of weeks. Reporter has concerns of ongoing neglect. The child weighs 25 pounds and that's less than the 1st percentile for her age. Reporter advised that she be admitted to the hospital for IV fluids and medications. She appeared to be lethargic, dehydrate, and in severe pain due to her mouth

Chapter 21- Penelope gets Odysseus’s bow, to check if any suitor was capable of stringing it and shooting it through the line of 12 axes. Meanwhile, Odysseus reveals his identity to Eumaeus and Philoetius. No one can string or shoot Odysseus’s bow so Odysseus, still disguised, shoots the bow effortlessly and flawlessly.

Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey follows Odysseus on his long journey home. The Epic also includes the stories of Odysseus’ family left behind: the travels of his son, Telemachus, and how plenty, of what we would now call “home wreckers”, suitors pressured his wife, Penelope, into marrying one of them. The characters are beautifully crafted and the story is truly epic. All the elements presented can bring in any reader from any century, the Cyclops, the Gods, the trickery of Penelope, and the disguises of Odysseus, are all legendary literary hooks . There are many things to learn—about writing, about the world around us, the world ahead of us, and the past behind us—from The Odyssey. (26) It is undeniably evident that this ancient text has