The Threshold of the Newfound Heroism - Assignment Example

The Threshold of the Newfound Heroism Greek mythology is full of stories narrating the adventures, escapades, and even exploits of Gods and mortals. From each tale springs forth a life learned lesson, may it be coming from a journey of a valiant hero, or from an expedition that caused the irrevocable doom of a God or a mortal. As always, the Gods of Olympus and their divine minions would most often have a hand in the outcome of the lives of each mortal down below. It is as if mortals are a chess piece, a pawn, in their own game. Despite this, there exist some instances wherein the good character and admirable skill of the mortal allows him or her to have an influence in the decision-making of the Gods. A good example of such would be the story of Odysseus. The Odyssey mostly narrates the story of the adventure of Odysseus; his journey towards home after Troy has been destroyed. His heroic journey was filled with obstacles and seemingly insurmountable complications, which made the story of his going home all the more epic and grandiose to begin with. Even during the war between the Greeks and the Trojans, Odysseus has already been regarded and thought of as a hero by his people. His persona commanded respect and admiration, not just from his own people, but also from their adversary, the people of Troy. He has also proven how cunning he is when he successfully masterminded the plan of giving a Trojan horse filled with Greeks to the people of Troy, which led to the demise of the latter. The occurrences during his ten-year journey back to Ithaca are not to be belittled. Aside from being a personal favorite of the God of War, Athena, Odysseus proved to be an expert tactician, strategist, and deception artist. He is the persona of a thinking warrior, calm and collected, rarely displaying an act of hubris. These characteristics made him eventually admirable to Zeus and the other Gods, except to Poseidon, who has always been irate towards him. Self-Control It would mean little or as much as nothing if Odysseus had all his cunning brilliance, but lacking in character virtues as well. Unlike the other fellow Greek heroes and leaders during his quests, Odysseus was always taken as sensible and self-restrained. Such qualities complimented and went well with his shrewd intelligence, besides having the guidance of the goddess Athena. Odysseus’ character to maintain his composure and get a hold of his self could be seen in many of his adventures. Upon his trip home, Odysseus was stranded on the island where Calypso lived. From there, she made him a prisoner. It is not the type of prison wherein one is in chains and could not freely move around. Calypso gave him the freedom to move around the island, but he could not go home to his beloved Ithaca, where his family resides. There exists a restriction on his free will to move about wherever he wills and desires. The reason is that the nymph Calypso loved him and planned to never let him go (Hamilton, 213), wanting him all to herself. Odysseus could have succumbed to the beautiful nymph, but did not allow such thoughts to get by him. He longed for his home, his wife, and his son. He spent days on the seashore, searching the horizon for a sail that never came, sick with longing to see even the smoke curling up from his house (213). When Odysseus was finally able to arrive home to Ithaca, he felt overjoyed, but was nevertheless prudent with his self. He started up and stood staring around him, he did not recognize his own country (225). It was only when he was confirmed by a shepherd boy, who is actually Athena in disguise, that Odysseus was overjoyed that he was finally home. Even in his joy at the news, Odysseus kept his caution (225). He was then briefed by the goddess Athena on the problem by which the many suitors have been trying to take his wife Penelope’s hand in marriage, as well as creating a mess of his home. Instead of throwing an all out angered assault, he kept his composure and crafted a plan to get rid of them. This he eventually did so by joining a contest made by his wife on who could string and shoot his bow in which only he is capable in doing so. Through shock and surprise, the suitors were driven out, and killed. Vigilance Odysseus learned the value of always being watchful and observant of any opportunity that might give him the advantage or find safety from harm. It is this sort of wisdom that has helped him in many difficult or life threatening situations. He displayed vigilance when he was stranded in the island of the lovely, but dangerous witch Circe. His extreme caution is what kept him from being turned into a pig and also made him found a way to release his crew from her spell by encountering the messenger god Hermes, who revealed to him a way to be immune from Circe’s spell. When Circe had used on Odysseus the magic that had always hitherto been successful, and to her amazement saw him stand unchanged before her, she so marveled at the man who could resist her enchantment that she loved him. She was ready to do whatever he asked and she turned his companions at once back into men again (221-222). Odysseus also showed vigilance, when he finally arrived at his homeland Ithaca, when as in his preparation in ridding the loathsome suitors who were harassing his family, Odysseus, who was disguised as a beggar, made sure that his most trusted members of his household kept his presence a secret until the right opportunity came to strike. It was when his wife Penelope brought out his bow and called a competition among the suitors did Odysseus finally make a move. He then participated in the contest after all the suitors failed. All watched intently as he took and examined it. Then, with effortless ease, as a skilled musician fit a bit of catgut to his lyre, he bent the bow and strung it. He notched an arrow to the string and drew, not moving from his seat he sent it straight through the twelve rings (227). After that, he finally revealed himself. And with the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus drove the suitors from his home and slew them all. Odysseus’ Return from Death to Life Back home at his hometown of Ithaca, people thought that he was already dead. They cannot be blamed for thinking that way because a person missing from a war for ten years, his location being unknown, would seem to be obviously as good as dead. However, he was able to prove them wrong, which made his adventure more admirable and worthy of being told. Odysseus was able to survive the wrath of Poseidon at sea; the lotus-eating people’s intoxicating edible lotus, the schemes of Circe the witch of Aeaea, the cyclop Polyphemus, and the clutches of the divine nymph Calypso among others. This he was able to accomplish, not just with brute force and clever thinking, but also with the help of Athena, whom he faithfully revered and followed. His return home also put to end the reign of the devious, yet good for nothing suitors of Penelope. His wife Penelope was at the brink of choosing another husband among the unworthy suitors, who did nothing but waste away the provisions at Odysseus dwelling. Thus, his return home symbolized the start of a new episode in the life of his household, a new beginning both for Odysseus and Penelope, and a chance to make up for lost time with his son Telemachus. Also, his successful journey home proved to be a model of how things can go well for mortals who do not go about rebuking or belittling the Gods, but rather, putting to good use their God-given qualities in all instances. Odysseus’ Fresh Outlook on Life Odysseus’ odyssey towards home made him aware of how significantly little and easily destructible life can be for those who do not employ steadfast thinking and stealth during times of trouble or mayhem. Also, the realization that human life is in the hands of the Gods’ is a lesson that Odysseus would not even dare forget. This lesson he learned the hard way, but he made amends for, by giving a peace offering to Poseidon when he was back home. Upon coming home and ridding his place of menacing and unwanted suitors, Odysseus’ looked forward to continuing the life that he left behind. Odysseus took this opportunity as a second lease on life, another chance to make up for all the lost time between Penelope and him, and between Telemachus and him. Also, he set his sights on living a peaceful life for a change. He desires a life that is not ridden with war and chaos; a life that does not involve the senseless killing of human beings. Throughout his journey, Odysseus has gained, not just experience and lessons, but wisdom that he so very much deserves. The self-control, vigilance, great warrior skills, cunning and stealth that he employed is an exemplification of what a hero is, not just within the context of Greek mythology. Odysseus, is a symbol of a man, who is not just intelligent and skilled, but a man who knows how to utilize the qualities that he possesses. A hero persona should also possess a humble character that has respect, if not fear, of authority. The reverence that Odysseus portrayed, crediting his return home, not on himself, but greatly on the help and intervention of the goddess Athena proves the wisdom that is instilled in him. Not everyone is capable of being wise in each and every circumstance. In one way or another, a person may falter and commit an act that can lead to his own end. Luckily for Odysseus, he does not only use his wisdom to good advantage, he goes by with a lot of help from the Gods. If only everyone can be as fortunate as him. Work Cited Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. New York: Warner Books Inc., 1999. Read More