how does odysseus set a course i

How does Odysseus develop throughout the Odyssey?

 · How does Odysseus set a ‘course’ in book eight? How does Odysseus set a ‘course’ in book eight? How does Odysseus set a ‘course’ in book eight? Best summary PDF, themes, and quotes. More books than SparkNotes. Study Guides; Q & A; Lesson Plans; Essay Editing Services; Literature Essays; College Application Essays;

How is Odysseus portrayed in the first 5 books of Odyssey?

 · Odysseus' Journey in the Beginning Odysseus and his men set sail from Troy and the winds sweep them to the city of Ismarus, where the Cicones live. The Cicones are a Thracian tribe who fought...

Does Odysseus learn from his mistakes?

 · Odysseus was a Greek hero famed for his intellect and cunning. He created the plan to sack the city of Troy using a giant hollow horse. He is also famous for his long odyssey, or journey, trying ...

How does Odysseus break tradition in the Odyssey?

In truth, Odysseus's character doesn't undergo much of a change throughout his epic voyage. At the end of the poem, he's as much of a wily, fearless hero as he ever was.

How does Odysseus show self control?

Odysseus's self-restraint is symbolized in his encounter with the Sirens: he asks his men to tie him to the mast in order to survive. Similarly, Odysseus's many disguises are emblematic of his self-restraint: disguise separates the inside from the outside, just as self-restraint separates feeling from action.

How did Odysseus change throughout his journey?

Through the story he does evolve and develop as a character; by the end of the story, he is more patient and is able to put his pride to the side, and becomes more cunning and even reduces his stature of King of Ithaca, and disguises himself as a beggar, and allowing abuse from the suitors.

What happened in Book 1 of The Odyssey?

Summary: Book 1 The story begins ten years after the end of the Trojan War, the subject of the Iliad. All of the Greek heroes except Odysseus have returned home. Odysseus languishes on the remote island Ogygia with the goddess Calypso, who has fallen in love with him and refuses to let him leave.

How does The Odyssey begin?

Homer invokes the muse. He begins his story with Odysseus trapped on the island of Calypso, a nymph who wants to take Odysseus as her lover. Athena talks Zeus into pulling strings to set Odysseus free. Then Athena disguises herself to visit Odysseus's son, Telémachus in Ithaca.

How does Odysseus show growth in The Odyssey?

Certainly Odysseus does grow in wisdom and judgment throughout his ventures. His self-control while dealing with the suitors' insults is exemplary and contrasts, for example, with his earlier irresistible urge to announce his name to the Cyclops in Book 9. In other ways, however, he seems slow to learn.

How is Odysseus transformation made known?

Fortunately, his wisdom progresses over his journey, showing his growth as a character. This change can be referred to as “Eagle Wings,” composes books IX, XII, XVII that highlight contrasting sides of Odysseus's self-restraint, and especially his development throughout the epic.

What have you learned about the power of journeys by reading Part 1 of The Odyssey?

What have you learned about the power of journeys by reading Part 1 of the Odyssey? I have learned that the journey is more important because it shows your moral character and it tests to see how far you will go to get what you want.

Why is Poseidon angry with Odysseus in Book 1?

Poseidon was furious with Odysseus and his crew because they blinded his son, the cyclops Polyphemus.

What's the plot of The Odyssey?

The Odyssey is Homer's epic of Odysseus' 10-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. While Odysseus battles mystical creatures and faces the wrath of the gods, his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus stave off suitors vying for Penelope's hand and Ithaca's throne long enough for Odysseus to return.

What is Odysseus situation when The Odyssey begins?

As the story begins, what is Odysseus' predicament (situation)? He is held captive by the goddess Calypso who wants to marry him. (Island of Ogygia.)

How does The Odyssey begin in media res?

(Image: Warner Bros.) Homer opens the Odyssey years after the Trojan War has ended. Odysseus is trying to make his way back home to Ithaca, where his son Telemachus is busy warding off his mother's suitors. These would-be stepdads are threatening to take over Odysseus's position as king and husband.

Where does Odysseus first meet?

Not surprisingly, Homer introduces the hero Odysseus in a very unheroic way. We first find him sulking on a beach, yearning for home, alone except for the love-struck goddess who has imprisoned him there.

Why did the gods punish Odysseus?

The gods punish Odysseus at different times for different reasons. Some are angry with him and his men for desecrating the Trojan temples. Poseidon...

Is Odysseus a god or a hero?

Odysseus is a hero, not a god. Both of his parents are human. He is considered a particularly powerful and intelligent hero, but he is still mortal.

What is Odysseus known for?

Odysseus is known for being a warrior in the Trojan War and for suggesting the Trojan Horse plan. He is also known for spending ten years trying to...

Where did Odysseus go on his first adventure?

The first stop on their adventure is to the land of the Lotus-eaters, a people who created food and drink from flowers, but with a drug effect. Several of Odysseus's crew partook of the food presented by the Lotus-eaters and forgot their goal to return home. They wanted to stay among the Lotus-eaters forever. Odysseus had these men dragged to the ships and bound below deck until the ships were safely away from the land of the Lotus-eaters and the men regained their senses.

What is the story of Odysseus?

The story of Odysseus begins in Homer's epic poem The Iliad, but his second poem, The Odys sey, relates the tale of Odysseus wandering the seas for ten years as he struggled to return from the Trojan War. Odysseus ruled Ithaca, an island kingdom. Penelope, Odysseus's wife, had borne him a son, Telemachus, just before the events ...

Why did Odysseus stay away from home?

A prophecy stated Odysseus would stay away from home for a very long time if he joined the Greek army and attacked Troy. Odysseus loved his wife and newborn son. He did not want to leave, so he pretended to be crazy when the Greek army came to call. He yoked a donkey and an ox together and plowed the seashore. One of the Greeks placed Telemachus in the path of Odysseus, who swerved to miss the baby, revealing the farce. Odysseus left Ithaca and his family to fight at Troy.

How long did Odysseus stay with Circe?

Odysseus and his crew remained with Circe for a year before resuming their journey. Circe advised Odysseus to seek the counsel of Tiresias in the underworld on how to return to Ithaca. She also warned him of dangers along the way.

Why did Odysseus build the Trojan Horse?

Odysseus had the Greek army build what came to be known as the Trojan Horse, a giant hollow wooden horse to give the Trojans as an offering of peace. Inside the body of the horse, some of the best Greek warriors hid. Trojan Horse.

What happened to Odysseus and his men?

Upon the departure of the Greek army, a fierce storm caused by the gods scattered the Greek fleet. Odysseus and his men were blown off course, and this began a 10-year struggle to return to Ithaca.

Why did Odysseus leave Ithaca?

Odysseus left Ithaca and his family to fight at Troy. The war with Troy lasted for ten years. Following the death of the Greek champion Achilles, Odysseus devised a plan to enter the city and end the conflict. Here is where the cunning of Odysseus shone through.

How does Odysseus change from the beginning of his quest until the end?

, how does the character of Odysseus change from the beginning of his quest until the end? In The Odyssey, the character of Odysseus changes from the beginning of his quest until the end by becoming more cautious and less arrogant. When Odysseus triumphs over the Cyclops Polyphemus, he displays triumphalist arrogance ...

What did Odysseus learn from Ithaca?

By the time Odysseus finally winds up on Ithaca, he appears to have learned his lesson. Instead of his previous arrogance and impetuosity, we witness much greater caution and self-control. One might've expected Odysseus to dash off to the royal palace at once and settle accounts with his wife's suitors.

What are the qualities of Odysseus?

Likewise, prudence and patience are necessary when dealing with the suitors. If he rushes in, holding his sword aloft, the suitors could defeat Odysseus as a result of their greater numbers. Again, he must exercise these qualities—qualities he's had all along—because, if he doesn't, he could die. He is brash, and he does have bravado, and he hasn't always been prudent in all situations, but it is a characteristic he's possessed for a long time. Then, the manner in which he and Telemachus decimate the suitors' numbers surely gratifies that bravado, which he's always possessed as well.

What qualities do the suitors need to defeat Odysseus?

Likewise, prudence and patience are necessary when dealing with the suitors. If he rushes in, holding his sword aloft, the suitors could defeat Odysseus as a result of their greater numbers. Again, he must exercise these qualities—qualities he's had all along—because, if he doesn't, he could die.

What does Polyphemus do when he's in Polyphemus' cave?

For example, when he's in Polyphemus's cave, he prudently realizes that, much as he wants to kill the monster, if he does so, he and his men will be trapped in the cave. He needed to discover a way to maim the monster without killing him so that the Cyclops could still move the boulder away from the door.

Does Odysseus change his character?

In truth, Odysseus's character doesn't under go much of a change throughout his epic voyage. At the end of the poem, he's as much of a wily, fearless hero as he ever was.

Does Odysseus have patience?

However, Odysseus has shown prudence and patience before, when necessary; these aren't really new qualities that he's developed.

How is Odysseus portrayed in book 2?

As well as portraying Odysseus as defensive, it also shows that he is needed in Ithaca as he is a great leader, and helps his people. When Telemachus later describes Odysseus as “my noble father”, it implies that he is highly regarded and well respected by others, as we know that Telemachus was very small when Odysseus went to war. We can therefore infer from this that many people have good stories and memories to tell about Odysseus. Odysseus is also portrayed as both brave and clever by Athena in book 2, when she speak to Telemachus. She tells him “Telemachus, you’ll lack neither courage nor sense from this day on, note if your fathers spirit courses through your veins”, emulating a feeling of respect that she has towards Odysseus; she speaks highly of him and considers him to be courageous and wise. On the contrary, one of the suitors later says to Telemachus that he will be “a drifter like his father” which shows that the suitors don’t believe in Odysseus the same way others do, although this could be due to their general lack of respect and the fact they are fighting for his wife, who doesn’t want them as she still loves Odysseus, causing them to be bitter and hostile towards him. When Mentor, Odysseus’ old friend is addressing the men of Ithaca, he describes Odysseus as “that godlike man”, which again shows how highly respected he was; the fact he is thought of as almost on a par with the gods is a huge honour and shows how highly he is considered. It also implies that as he is regarded as ‘godlike’ by many, he may be considered a hero, which was a huge part of Greek society; the aim was to be remembered and have a lasting name and stories, to live on eternally through others thoughts, which Odysseus seems to have achieved. Despite being missing for almost a decade, he is still often thought of and spoken about. Finally, when Telemachus is being spoken to, it is said that “Odysseus’ cunning has hardly given out in you”, showing once again that Odysseus is smart and good at trickery.

What is Odysseus's personality in book 1?

Furthermore, he is shown as compassionate and a loyal family man “his heart set on his wife”, which implies that he is a devoted husband and very loving and caring. In book 1, it also shows Odysseys to be a great warrior, as when Athena goes to Ithaca; his home is described as having “row on row of spears, embattled Odysseus’ spears, stood stacked and waiting”. This emulates a feeling of hopefulness that his family have a lot of faith in Odysseus as they left his spears waiting for his return because they know he is determined and brave so wouldn’t give up on them. It also shows he is a good, well-rounded warrior as he has many weapons for different purposes. It is implied that Odysseus is well regarded by many people as Telemachus in his mind, says “his wonderful father”, and we know that Telemachus was very young when Odysseus went away so probably wouldn’t remember his achievements which implies that other people have told him many good things about his father. Zeus also describes Odysseus as ‘Great’ when he says “Great Odysseus who excels all men in wisdom, excels in offerings too”, showing that Odysseus respects the gods and therefore has good fortune (except with Poseidon who dislikes him). Also, the fact that Zeus describes him as ‘Great’ shows that he was regarded highly even by the gods, almost making him a hero as it is a great honour to be respected by Zeus. It again shows he is smart too and the best of the best, as he ‘excels all men in wisdom’. Later in book 1, Athena indignantly says to Telemachus “Oh how much you need Odysseus, gone so long – how he’d lay hands on all these brazen suitors!”, which implies that Odysseys is an important part of both his household and to the overall running of Ithaca as he would protect his territory against the unwelcome and greedy suitors.

Where does Odysseus travel in Book 11?

For discussion: In book 11, Odysseus travels to the underworld, where he meets with his former comrades of war, Achilles and Agamemnon. How does Odysseus’s experience after leaving Troy compare and contrast with those of his comrades?

What are the most entertaining elements of reading The Odyssey?

Focus on monsters and fantasy. The supernatural creatures and characters can be some of the most entertaining elements of reading The Odyssey for the first time. Ask students to consider the ways in which the fantastical elements in the text are representations of social and existential concerns for both the ancient Greeks and readers today.

What is the literary foil of the Odyssey?

Focus on Odysseus and Telemachus as literary foils. Father and son go on parallel journeys in The Odyssey. Explore how Odysseus and Telemachus stand as literary foils, and analyze how their shared and individual faults develop over the course of the epic.

What is the hero's journey?

Odysseus and the Hero’s Journey: Odysseus’s adventure is an example of a hero’s journey: a reluctant hero must leave home to conquer an external threat. In so doing, the hero must pass through a sequence of trials and tribulations, confronting her own flaws and mortality along the way. Scholar Joseph Campbell used Odysseus as a model hero and identified the hero’s journey archetype in stories across genres, epochs, and cultures in his seminal work The Hero with a Thousand Faces. The stages of the journey that Campbell outlines are a valuable framework for analyzing the epic and can be used to help struggling students organize Odysseus’s adventures amid the nonlinear narrative.

How many lines are there in the Odyssey?

The Odyssey Is Long and Overwhelming for Students: The Odyssey contains over 12, 000 lines of epic verse and most translations will present new and challenging vocabulary to students. The text is particularly difficult for struggling and ESL students.

What to do with the stages of the journey that Campbell outlines?

What to do: The stages of the journey that Campbell outlines are a valuable teaching tool, and can be used to help struggling students organize Odysseus’s adventures amid the nonlinear narrative.

What to do before teaching a poem?

What to do: Before teaching any given book in the poem, have students complete a vocabulary study ahead of time. Giving students an outline of key events in the book, or engaging them in predictive activities, ahead of time will also support comprehension.

Does Odysseus change over the course of the epic?

Homeric characters are generally static. Though they may be very complex and realistic, they do not change over the course of the work as characters in modern novels and stories do. Odysseus and especially Telemachus break this rule.

Does Odysseus learn anything from his own odyssey?

As the sea god, he can and does make Odysseus’s journey home more lengthy and treacherous. Odysseus learns from this to keep his own counsel, advice which serves him well when he returns home. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus’ first stop after leaving Troy is the land of the Cicones.

Why was Odysseus not a hero?

Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. Although he may be considered a war hero, Odysseus is not a hero in other respects. This is so because he is self-centered which is clear because he doesn’t value other people’s lives.

What is the moral lesson of the Odyssey?

The moral values in the story include loyalty, compassion, self-control and perseverance. Each one has a tale or two associated with it. Loyalty is an important moral value in The Odyssey because Odysseus is devoted to his family. He is determined to return home to his wife despite all of the obstacles in his way.

What is the main message of the Odyssey?

In this epic poem, there are three major themes: hospitality, loyalty, and vengeance.

What is the moral lesson of Iliad?

The Iliad, the story of the Trojan War, offers several moral lessons to its readers, including the importance of leaders treating their soldiers with respect, the importance of accepting apologies, and the need for respecting family bonds.

Is Odysseus a true hero?

Odysseus was a true hero, he showed this through courage and determination and in many other ways. In book one Odysseus shows a great amount of bravery. Combining with his extreme strength, bravery, and high level of intelligence shows how he has supernatural abilities.

What is Odysseus's cunning?

The book begins with Odysseus the warrior, however as stated earlier with all the valor and honor and gratitude given to Odysseus he is greatly known for being cunning. Throughout the book Odysseus uses deceptive speech or voices and disguise to trick and or confuse people. He often altered his appearance and changing the way he spoke and sounded. In Book I for example Odysseus tells the Cyclops Polyphemus, his name is “Nobody.” While beating Polyphemus he exclaims “Nobody is beating you,” when the Cyclops asked who was doing so (Homer 7). He did so when others would ask Polyphemus, what was wrong and responded “Nobody is hurting me.” the others would assume that, “If alone as you are [Polyphemus] none uses violence on you, why, there is no avoiding the sickness sent by great Zeus; so you had better pray to your father, the lord Poseidon” (Homer 8). Also, in the poem when he first meets and addresses Nausicaa on the island of Scheria, his suave, comforting approach quickly wins her trust. He could win over and manipulate his audience, which he did all of the way through the book.

What are the characteristics of Odysseus?

Odysseus shares the character traits of a leader from the Homeric era: he was a very noble man , had enormous strength, very courageous, a thirst for glory and was very confident in his ability to rule and in his authority . Although all of these traits distinguished him, Odysseus has a very sharp intellect. When placed in some sticky situations throughout the epic, his quick thinking gets him out. For example in Book IX, his ability to think fast allows him to escape from the Cyclops’ cave. Even in Book XXIII, when he has a minstrel strike up a wedding sign in book to hide where he slaughtered the suitors.

What does Odysseus want to do?

Similar to other Homeric heroes, Odysseus wants to win the glory, so he does great deeds, and he hopes to complete homecoming. He enjoys his luxurious life with Calypso in an exotic land, but only to a point. As he grows and misses home, he is eager to return home. In Homeric Greece wives were only property, desirable as overseers of the female servants and as means of securing identifiable heirs and descendants. Men did not impose upon themselves the chastity necessarily required of the women, and were more angry than grieved if their wives showed a preference for other men (n.a. 115). He even admits that his wife Penelope could not compete with Calypso. He thinks of home throughout the time he spends with the Phaeacians and also while on Circe’s island (n.a. 115). Often times his glory seeking ways seem to get in the way of his vision of going home.

How many books are there in The Odyssey?

The story of The Odyssey was written by the great epic poet Homer. In twenty- four books, the author presents the trials and tribulations of the protagonist Odysseus, and his voyage back to his home state of Ithaca. It contains so many and such striking adventures, some have called it an adventure story (n.a. 115). Over the course of the story through the foreshadowing and flashbacks; the question is over the course of the epic does the character of Odysseus change, evolve, or does he remain the same? Different from the characters in the Iliad and characters in Homer’s other works; usually remaining flat or static, Odysseus in The Odyssey, is a dynamic or round character. Through the story he does evolve and develop as a character. Therefore this essay will explain whether or not Odysseus developed as a character at all over the course of the narrative. In saying that, who was Odysseus in The Odyssey?

What does Odysseus' smile mean?

Odysseus’ smiles express his confident superiority: while being abused, at the close of the annihilation of the suitors (Levine 2). He eventually makes it back home regardless of all the turmoil he went through over the course of his adventure.

Who is the main character in the book Odysseus?

Odysseus is the protagonist or main character and the hero of this epic poem. Odysseus was the king of Ithaca, was married Queen Penelope and was also the father of Prince Telemachus. Odysseus was portrayed as a great warrior, who sets off at the beginning of the poem to go fight amongst the toughest warriors in the battle of Troy. He was a man of a very wise and shrewd man; resourceful, but also eloquent, courageous, full of endurance, and lastly extremely cunning in some sort as cunning as Niccolò Machiavelli. Throughout the book Odysseus has a number of adventures and encounters with the gods, sea creatures, other humans, and also giants, all of which play dominate roles in his development as a character throughout the book (Levine 6).

Does Odysseus change his character?

Over the course of the story through the foreshadowing and flashbacks; the answer to the question yes, the character of Odysseus does in face change; he does not remain the same. Through the story he does evolve and develop as a character; by the end of the story, he is more patient and is able to put his pride to the side, and becomes more cunning and even reduces his stature of King of Ithaca, and disguises himself as a beggar, and allowing abuse from the suitors. Therefore Odysseus is a round character and does develop as a character in the epic of The Odyssey.

What is the setting of the Odyssey?

The Odyssey repeatedly contrasts two kinds of setting: domestic and wild. The poem’s characters often find themselves in luxurious domestic settings, the palaces of kings and goddesses. In these locations Odysseus and Telemachus negotiate the subtleties of the guest-host relationship, and often the sheer wealth and luxury ...

What is Odysseus's story about?

When Odysseus tells stories of piracy and slave-trading, he is describing the reality that faced seafarers on the Aegean right up to the nineteenth century. Above all, the values which motivate the poem’s characters, like respect for the guest-host relationship, would also have motivated the poem’s earliest readers.

When was the Odyssey written?

The Mediterranean Coast during the Bronze Age (approximately the 12th century B.C.E.) The Odyssey was composed around the year 700 B.C.E. The poem is set about 500 years earlier, around 1200 B.C.E., a period known as the Bronze Age.