How do we as people discern how individuals have obtained their prowess and talent? Some would say it is a product of hard labor and dedication. Some would say it is in inherent in certain lucky beings. However, regardless of how you swing the two sides of this debate it is undeniable the power of the former. Think of many great heroes, artists, writers, athletes, and overall successful individuals in general. What do they all have in common? They have all put in the time and hardship to reach the pinnacle of their abilities. Even in the most dire of circumstances not pertaining to that of a skill, trade, or art, treachery has made a work of bringing out the most persistent, enduring, and determined of us as a species. All of this being eloquently …show more content…
Think of any particular athlete you admire and look up to. I'm sure with all of my heart that they had put themselves through arduous and laborious training and practice to get themselves to that level of glory. Horace relays this axiom tersely in that of adversity. However, adversity manifests itself in awful circumstances such as to bring out the inherited willpower we hold in ourselves. Whether it be the life threatening situation perhaps a good portion of our long distant ancestors of being locked in the kill or be killed situation between animal, environment, or even our fellow man, we as people and even other animals have the potential to shake the foundations of this idea we have as our strength. Physically we are enduring creatures whether we know it or not. Even by means of evolution we have been developed as creatures that hunt our prey by means of long term exhaustion and besting the animals we deemed as food by tracking them down for such long periods of time, that us now in our relatively sedentary lifestyles would be left astonished. The depths of humanity character is built out of hardship it is no wonder we harness it's potential to make such great …show more content…
By soul in this context, I mean the depths of our thoughts and character. No better outlet of human creativity would this be apparent than that of music. Musicians for undeniably decades and perhaps centuries have channeled our heartache, and our physical trauma, have managed to bring such vivid and beautiful works. The examples are endless for which we can draw from. Whether it be the addiction and grasp of heroin had on the late Layne Staley, the gang violence and influence of the thug lifestyle's impression on rap artists such as Tupac, or the heartbreak and loss of companionship such as anyone from Boys to Men, Alkaline Trio, Estelle, Frank Ocean, and many of the catalog of auditory magicians you hold deep in your tastes. Hurt is a strong force that resonates with every human being who has experienced it. With it we can see Horace's perception hold true to a gratuitous degree. We as humans are designed to feel trauma, pain, loss, and grief on a level deeper than any sentient being in observable existence. It not only brings out our talents, but our heart as well. A concept only known to us and only our existence. Horace in his quote, not only made an interesting observation about hardship, but encapsulates our entire design as human beings. With his one statement, he displayed our one true means of developing
Loyalty and Betrayal You have been trapped in a Vietnamese camp for 3 months. They have tortured you every day trying to get you to reveal secrets about your government. You endure the pain, and with clenched teeth you keep saying no. When you are at the brink of death.
The Odyssey by Homer is an epic from Ancient Greece telling the tale of the great warrior Odysseus. It tells of Odysseus going to war and going through many trials to get back to his homeland, Ithaca. On Ithaca are his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus. Throughout the epic, Odysseus faces many challenges and trials in order to get home to his family, and even after he finally does arrive. Through all of the trials, each being extremely difficult, he pushes on to reach his family. This shows there are definitely bonds in the families. Of these, one that is apparent upon multiple occasions is the bond between father and son. Of course, the only father and son relationship isn’t just between Odysseus and Telemachus. There are many other examples of this family relationship, such as Poseidon and Polyphemus. But not only does the father and son relationship play a large role in the Odyssey. All family relations in general play a surprisingly large part in the Odyssey. Throughout the entirety of the story, family appears to be a great stimulus to persevere through the problem, no matter how challenging or fearful. One extreme example is of course is Odysseus. He traveled for 20 years fighting to return to his family, through unimaginable danger and the loss of roughly three crews. Family also appears to cause extreme retaliation and revenge. A superb example is how Poseidon reacts after Odysseus and his crew blind his son, Polyphemus. Another grand example is when Odysseus
Many people imagine a hero as perfect--someone who always does good. However, if one examines Homer’s The Odyssey carefully, one finds the hero, Odysseus, at fault at times. Odysseus is cunning and powerful; however, at times he is arrogant. This arrogance holds Odysseus back from a swift journey home but ultimately his strength and intelligence ensure his return to Ithaka.
Deception is defined as a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud. People tend to view this as a sinister action. No matter how sinister it can be, it can also be utilized to gain information and knowledge. How a person uses deception varies among different people. Generally, the more clever people tend to utilize deception very efficiently. Odysseus masters deception in the Odyssey by disguising himself. Odysseus isn't alone for Athena also uses disguises. With that being said, disguises allow Odysseus to succeed in killing the suitors.
Within The Odyssey the concept of morals is very important, both to the plot of the epic but also to the structure of the Ancient Greek society. When the suitors ask Telemachus to send his mother, Penelope, back to her father he replies with; “It is quite impossible for me to cast out, against her will, the mother who bore me and brought me up”. This illuminates the importance of family within the society, and in turn morals. Whilst Telemachus then goes on to comment upon the monetary cost sending Penelope away, it is important to remember that his first instinct was to keep her in Ithaca due to their mother-son relationship. Furthermore, the importance of morals within The Odyssey’s is illuminated with the concept of xenia. Hospitality was
The Odyssey is an Epic about not only Greek gods, Beasts, and the return of the great king Odysseus, but the love of a family and the power of word of mouth. In lines 324-326 of book one, one line in particular stands out. As Athena disguises herself as an old man attempting to rouse Telemachus to search for his father Odysseus, she states, “Someone may tell you something, or you may catch a rumor straight from Zeus, rumor that carries news to men like nothing else.” Despite Athena directly stating how powerful rumors can be, the full extent of the truth of this statement is found throughout the text, not just in the form of rumors, but prayers, blessings, and even normal dialogue. As one reads the Odyssey, it becomes clear that the power of words is a strong one indeed.
Men who fear nothing are shameless. But men who think about how their actions may affect others and how their legacy will be reflected on by future generations are brimming with arete. The suitors Shameless, and lackadaisical throughout the Odyssey, they continuously display anti-arete. They think that Penelope, a sensible woman, is going to have respect for them as they are tearing her husband's house apart. Later in the Odyssey, in Book 21 page 435, Penelope finally expresses her disdain for the suitor's behavior: “ ‘How can you hope for any public fame at all...
“Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something,” said by Morihei Ueshiba. These wise words couldn’t be more accurate, in order to succeed it must be earned and worked for. The Odyssey’s main character, Odysseus, is an excellent example of the words brought to life. In the epic poem, the Odyssey, Odysseus’s character flaws and heroic qualities send him on a whirling journey that ultimately leave him successful.
A hero is defined by a person who is admired or idealized for their courage in a certain act, but throughout history and all they way back to Homer’s The Odyssey all heroes have some sort of flaw. People might think that heroes are flawless, but in reality most heroes have some sort of flaw. In Homer’s, The Odyssey, Odysseus’s flaws hurt himself and others, but they also help the hero succeed in what he/ she is trying to succeed.
Odysseus took my things, then took advantage of me and made me permanently blind. I will make sure he gets revenge. Although I know I shouldn't have taunted him and killed some of his crew. Odysseus went beyond what was needed and made me suffer, and I will experience affliction forever. He knew I was much more powerful then him so he tricked me and got the upper hand, but I will get vengeance.
Vengeance is the main theme in the Odyssey, it is what all the conflict in the story is for
It is important to keep reading, “The Odyssey.” Even though it is 2800, years old, students still need to learn about it. It is important to continue studying “The Odyssey” because is it a moral story, the historical significance is important, and it is essential to study other culture’s mythology.
Sing I me, Muse, and through me tell the story of the lady nymph goddess Calypso. Oh so beautiful and immortal who lives in the sea- hollowed caves on the island Ogygia. She craved the hero of Troy, king of Ithaka, son of Laertes, a mortal and took him as her own. Nine long years they spent on the island together.
Ten years after the fall of Troy, the victorious Greek hero Odysseus has still not returned to his native land Ithaca. A band of rowdy suitors, believing Odysseus to be dead, has overrun his palace, courting his faithful—though weakening—wife Penelope, and going through his stock for food. With permission from Zeus, the goddess Athena, Odysseus' greatest immortal ally, appears in disguise and urges Odysseus' son Telemachus to seek news of his father at Pylos and Sparta. However, the suitors, led by Antinous, plan to ambush him upon return.
The Odyssey was about Odysseus and his men and how they were going back home. They were coming back from the Trojan War. In the beginning Odysseus and his men were trying to find their way back home. In the middle of the book they had to go to the underworld to get directions to get back home. In the end of the book Odysseus is back home with Penelope and his son.