Download Max Gould Humanities pr.4 Tutorial 2: The Odyssey (con) Though

Max «GreetingLine»
Humanities pr.4
Tutorial 2: The Odyssey
(con) Though The Odyssey portrays Odysseus’ many faults and mistakes often
resulting in divine retribution, (pro) his divine stature and ability to endure all hardship
with resolute composure while learning from his mistakes reveals his heroic nature.
Homer relates an important part of the Greek perception of the Hero, as one who
performs heroic deeds but has faults of his own that must be overcome through some
mythic adventure.
At the beginning of his story Odysseus appears arrogant and rash, these traits
become that which is contested by his nemesis and initiate his mythic journey. When
Odysseus taunts the Cyclops, Poseidon responds to his son’s prayer and becomes
Odysseus’ nemesis. “Cyclops, if anyone asks you who it was that put your eye out and
spoiled your beauty, say it was the valiant warrior Odysseus son of Laërtês, who lives in
Ithaca.” (Book IX). Though Odysseus exhibits both hubris and ate, he begins his heroic
journey and acquires a nemesis. Poseidon is then quick to bring retribution down on
Odysseus, and this allows him to reveal his endurance and heroism as he learns restraint.
Odysseus is distinguished as a hero partially by the heroic trait arête, which has
resulted in his renowned craftiness and his divine stature. Excelling all other men in
strength and fortitude, Odysseus demonstrates his skill to the Phaeacians. “I excel in a
great many athletic exercises. Indeed, so long as I had youth and strength, I was among
the first athletes of the age.” (Book VIII). Though Odysseus has retained some of his
pride, he restrains himself from acting rashly. Odysseus is distinguished not only for
having striven for excellence physically, but also for his progress mentally through arête.
By the end of the story Odysseus has faced his nemesis, Poseidon, and has learned
to recognize his hubris and restrain himself completely from rash behavior. Odysseus’
Max «GreetingLine»
Humanities pr.4
Tutorial 2: The Odyssey
reserved pride is portrayed as he masquerades as a beggar, warning the suitors of their
own nemesis. “I was a rich man once, and did much wrong in the stubbornness of my
pride… Therefore let a man fear God… and take the good that heaven may see fit to send
him without vainglory.” (Book XVIII). Odysseus’ growth in understanding of himself
and the world marks the completion of his mythic adventure and confirms his heroism.
Odysseus begins his journey with pride and arrogance, portraying both of the
Greek traits hubris and ate. Odysseus’ arête brings him to his skill in athletics and, with
the help of his nemesis Poseidon, helps him discover his own excessive pride. By
completing his mythic adventure and learning to restrain his hubris, Odysseus is
distinguished as a hero. Odysseus’ tale in The Odyssey reveals the Greek concept of a
Hero as a person who achieves balance within themselves by learning to control hubris
and ate rather than eliminating them. Through Odysseus, Homer demonstrates that to be a
hero, you must be human first.