Essay on The Hero’s Journey in Homers The Odyssey

The Hero’s Journey is never an easy one. This particular journey, as detailed in Homer’s The Odyssey, is one of struggle, loss, heartache, pain, growth and triumph. It is comprised of many steps that Odysseus has to overcome and battle through in order to achieve his final goal of reaching his home and his loved ones. From the Call to Adventure to the Freedom or Gift of living, Odysseus conquered them all. The story begins in the middle of the story, as many of the oral Greek traditions did, with the Journey of Telemachus to find his father. Although Telemachus has not yet met his father, it is almost as if they are journeying together, where the end of both of their journeys results in being reunited. Telemachus journeys from being a†¦show more content†¦Athena acts as a source of inspiration and the object of many pleas throughout this epic. While in Ithaca Athena took the guise of the old man Mentes. It was under this guise that Athena went to Telemachus and made him realize that it was his time to start his journey. Athena/Mentes gathered men for Telemachus to journey with and even accompanied him upon his journey. Athena/Mentes acted as a guide for Telemachus prodding him in every situation on how to step up and be a man. The First threshold is the beginning of the pro-active part of the hero’s journey. This is the first of the trials, usually less tiring or arduous than the others. Odysseus began his journey when leaving Calypso’s island. He conquered his skepticism and denial and realized that it was time for him to leave, for him to finally try to get to his home. As he hits the open sea, Poseidon who has not forgotten his grudge for Odysseus due to events past spots him. Poseidon unleashes his rage unto Odysseus and manipulates the sea almost to the point of drowning Odysseus. So Odysseus survives and this begins his true journey home where his drive and will are going to have to conquer the tests that Poseidon has set before him to get home. Telemachus also begins his journey by setting off to sea. Inspired by Athena and with her by his side Telemachus sets sail to begin the search for his father. Never having been to seaShow MoreRelatedThe Odyssey Heros Journey Essay1322 Words   |  6 PagesThe timeless story, The Odyssey, has left it’s mark in literature as one of the first narratives depicting the hero’s journey cycle. This work of creative writing has laid the foundation of storytelling that would later inspire other popular writings like, The Hunger Games, The Lord of The Rings, and Harry Potter. How has this ancient novel withstand the sands of time and remain relevant and appealing even to modern day readers? The Odyssey touches upon many topics that appear attractive to evenRead MoreExamples Of Archetypes In The Odyssey890 Words   |  4 Pages Much information can be gained from Homer’s epic,The Odyssey about ancient Greek civilizations and their what they val ued morally. The Odyssey has a variety of different archetypes that are still relevant in modern times. The legend of Odyssey has been passed down from poet to poet for five hundred years until finally Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey down somewhere between eight hundred fifty and seven hundred fifty B.C. In Homer’s epic the Odyssey, there are three archetypes that provide insightsRead MoreEssay An Epic Odyssey1544 Words   |  7 Pagestales are told in heightened style and occur in grand settings. Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, meets these traits and is considered a prime example of an epic hero. His story is told in Homer’s The Odyssey and The Iliad. However, Odysseus’s journey sets him apart from other epic heroes. Most heroes follow the hero’s journey, in which a hero begins in the ordinary world, is called to destiny, crosses the threshold, defeats obstacles, receives help, defeats the undefeatable, and then returns home. OdysseusRead MoreLitera ry Criticism Of The Odyssey1604 Words   |  7 PagesAssessment Task 1: Essay on The Odyssey The Odyssey by Homer was written during around 700 B.C and it is the second-oldest extant work of Western literature. The Odyssey is an epic poem and can be understood through the lens of archetypal criticism which explores themes that are based on heroism and the protagonist Odysseus is an epic hero who undergoes a ten-year journey to return to Ithaca. Northrop Frye explains the value of archetypal literary criticism in helping modern readers appreciate theRead MoreOdyssey Archetype Analysis850 Words   |  4 PagesArchetypes in â€Å"The Odyssey†and Greek culture Homer’s epic poem is one of the most prolific, intriguing adventure stories ever written. His exceptional use of archetypes adds anticipation and excitement throughout the entire poem. This story has a mix of adventure, suspense, love, and loss. All of these features are archetypes that are shown in Homer’s epic poem. Greek culture is also a big part of the archetypes in this poem as well. The 3 archetypes that I chose are some of the most frequently seenRead MoreExamples Of Archetypes In The Odyssey1002 Words   |  5 PagesHomer’s epic poem is one of the most prolific, intriguing adventure stories ever written. His exceptional use of archetypes adds anticipation and excitement throughout the entire poem. This story has a mix of adventure, suspense, love, and loss. All of these features are archetypes that are shown in Homer’s epic poem. Greek culture is a big part of the archetypes in this poem as well. The three archetypes that I chose are some of the most frequently seen archetypes in adventurous stories or poemsRead MoreArchetypes In Homers The Odyssey1383 Words   |  6 Pagesvery imaginative and creative. There were three main archetypes that were used in Homer’s epic ,The Odyssey, which show different aspects of Ancient Greek culture. Those three archetypes were: the hero/father figure archetype, the monster archetypes, and the search for love. The hero archetype explained the Ancient Greeks’ love for thrill and adventure; Odysseus went on many thrilling adventures while on his journey. The monster archetypes represented the Greeks’ love of horror; Odysseus’ men haveRead MoreOdysseus : The Perilous Journey In Homers The Odyssey785 Words   |  4 PagesIn Homer’s Epic The Odyssey, Odysseus the main protagonist tells the perilous journey he encountered after departing from Ithaca. Progressively through the story Odysseus finds himself at the hands of mortals and divine beings where he must find a way to return on his path for his kingdom. Odysseus fought many different enemies during his time away from home and for this he is praised by the Phaeacians. However, Odysseus throughout the story makes unwise decisions which cause his soldiers to loseRead MoreSimilarities Between Achilles And Odysseus1110 Words   |  5 PagesHeroics (A Comparison of Heroic Traits Displayed by Achilles and Odysseus in Homer’s, Iliad and Odyssey) Humanity has always strived for greatness, and is destined to continue this attempt till the world stops spinning. Through the art of storytelling, and literature, we have weaved images of what the ideal human should be. Countless works of literature depict such humans as â€Å"heroes†, due to the inspiration they stir within our imperfect souls. Truly epic heroes shape future stories, and remainRead MoreArchetypes In Homers The Odyssey1507 Words   |  7 Pagesthat Ancient Greeks are very imaginative and creative. Three main archetypes that are used in Homer’s epic ,The Odyssey, each show a different aspect of Ancient Greek culture. The three archetypes are: the hero archetype, the monster archetypes, and the search for love. The hero archetype shows the Ancient Greeks’ love for thrill and adventure; Odysseus goes on many thrilling adventures while on his journey. The monster archetypes represents the Greeks’ love for horror; Odysseus’ men die ho rrible deaths