Arrogance In The Odyssey

Words: 1272
Pages: 6
Open Document
Arrogance, everybody is affected by this trait that is embedded into us; at work, in school, with friends, with families, but to what extent? What happens when arrogance can’t be controlled? When it takes over our ability to think straight? - Odysseus clearly shows how dangerous uncontrolled arrogance can be. After ten brutal years of fighting in a war, how difficult can a journey across the ocean be for the mighty warrior? He finally has the opportunity to return to Ithaca, to his wife, to his son… to home, but it takes him another ten years because of his arrogance. Time and time again in Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus reveals that his greatest threat is his own pride, and although he faces other great dangers along his journey …show more content…
The expression of Polyphemus’ wishes of revenge is disheartening and depressing; Odysseus will never arrive home complete. Instead, he will return late, a “broken man” who is all “alone,” and whose home will not feel welcoming, just a “world of pain.” His reckless action due to his arrogance threatens the rest of his journey home by angering the god of the sea. In another instance, Odysseus is successfully able to befriend the king of the Aeolians, the master of all the winds, who then gifts him with a bag of winds to guide them home. However, his pride overtakes him again; “never trusting the ropes to any other mate,” he overworks himself till “an enticing sleep [comes] on” (10.37, 35). His exaggerated sense of importance distorts his judgment to have faith in his crew, resulting in him controlling the whole ship and endangering himself due to a lack of rest. His crew believes that the bag contains riches and once the “enticing sleep” overcomes Odysseus, his crew open the bag and free the winds which send them back to the island of the Aeolians right as they approach Ithaca (10.52-53). Odysseus’ most impactful problems on his journey originate from his arrogance and his inability to control it, making it the greatest threat that delays his successful …show more content…
Odysseus originally comes to the Kingdom of the Dead to talk to the blind prophet, Tiresias, but he first encounters his old crewmate Elpenor; “I wept to see him now, pity touched my heart / and I called out a winged word to him there” (11. 61-62). The personification of “pity” touching his heart indicates Odysseus’ realization of his respect for his crew and the importance of having a proper burial for Elpenor. Even though he is the leader, he learns that he is not the most important person and his crew longs to make it home as much as he does. He then promises Elpenor that he will go back to Circe’s island and make a proper burial for him, and although this will delay his trip even further, it is due to his respect towards his crew instead of his arrogance. Furthermore, when he does encounter Tiresias, the blind prophet warns him about the fate of his journey; “You and your crew may still reach home, / suffering all the way, if you only have the power / to curb their wild desire and curb your own” (11. 117-119). The tone of Tiresias’ warning is somber but firm and tense; it stresses the importance of Odysseus’ power to have control over his crew and himself. Tiresias emphasizes that the minute possibility of returning home entirely depends on his capability to suppress his “wild” arrogance. Without control of his actions, the narrow possibility of
Show More

Related Documents: Arrogance In The Odyssey

Causes Of Arrogance In The Odyssey

In The Odyssey the hero Odysseus struggles with his faults as he struggles to get home. After many trials and tests of character Odysseus finds himself home at last. Odysseus is a hero, but one with fatal flaws that set him back on his journey. One trait Odysseus has is his arrogance. This is a trait the causes many of his struggles and setbacks and can be viewed as a fatal flaw. An example of this would be when Odysseus boastfully shouts out to the Cyclops Polyphemus, who he is successfully fleeing…

Words 384 - Pages 2

Examples Of Arrogance In The Odyssey

What makes a hero? From the story of “The Odyssey” by Homer. Odysseus is arrogant, unfaithful, and selfish. He shows these traits throughout “The Odyssey” while on his journey back home to Ithaca. He displays arrogance when he tells Polyphemus his name after they have escaped from the island of the cyclops and are sailing away. Arrogance is the act of revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance. Odysseus does not stop to think about the consequences that may come from telling Polyphemus…

Words 479 - Pages 2

Odysseus Epic Hero

example of a hero is an epic hero. An epic hero is a loyal and brave warrior who goes on a quest or a journey taking the values of his society with him. Furthermore, an epic hero also has some negative traits, including arrogance. One epic hero in particular plays a role in The Odyssey by Homer. This epic hero is Odysseus. Odysseus is an example of an epic hero. First of all, Odysseus is an epic hero because of his loyalty to his friends and crew. On his way back to Ithaca, Odysseus encounters the…

Words 753 - Pages 4

Comparing Homer's The Odyssey And O Brother Where Art Thou?

Odysseus from Homer’s The Odyssey and Ulysses McGill from O Brother, Where Art Thou? have their similarities, but each Hero’s Journey is still unique to the character. They are each very determined, arrogant and they know who is in charge, as well as sharing one of their enemies, the Cyclops. At the end of their journeys, they each are tasked with getting rid of their wives’ suitors and must make a promise to stay home and out of trouble; they both win back their wives and live happily ever after…

Words 1328 - Pages 6

Penelope In The Odyssey

remarkable birth of his child, he embarked on a journey with his men to battle in a brutal and callous war. The Odyssey is a Greek epic written by Homer which captures the boundless journey of Odysseus, as he strived to return to Ithaca after battling in the Trojan War. Homer had been a prominent writer who expressed the legends and myths of Greek goddesses throughout his epic, The Odyssey. As Odysseus embarked on an endless journey filled with agony, to battle in the Trojan War, he had been greatly…

Words 807 - Pages 4

Odysseus Heroic Characteristics

the Odyssey the main character can be considered a hero from his muscular build to his heroic charm. However people can argue both ways, some say his arrogance can outweigh all of his heroic characteristics. But to me that is not the case. But is Odysseus a hero? During the reading that really seemed to be an off and on debatable question. But truthfully he is, he escapes death and gets his men in a good position to live. But it wasn't his fault that didn't work out. Odysseus in the Odyssey is a…

Words 901 - Pages 4

Homer's Odyssey: Homeric Heroes And Free Will

Free Will In Homers Iliad and Odyssey the characters constantly battle with themselves. The main characters are multidimensional and are given free will but it is expected by the gods to accept the punishment when they dishonore them or the customs of the society they live. Mortals usually blame the gods for their misfortunes; “Mortals! They are always blaming the gods for their troubles when their own witlessness causes them more than they are destined for!” (Odyssey 1.36)Although the decisions they…

Words 936 - Pages 4

Odysseus: The Hero Of Homer's Odyssey

People who are considered heroes are usually those who display attributes that a particular society values. Although Odysseus is considered the hero of the Odyssey, many with a more contemporary worldview question why he is the hero after examining his blatantly obvious flaws. One of Odysseus’s major flaws is his double standard for chasteness. While Odysseus travels back to his family in Ithaca, he has relations with many women; yet, he expects his wife to remain completely dedicated to him despite…

Words 293 - Pages 2

Polyphemus And Odysseus

Throughout book nine of "The Odyssey," Polyphemus plays a crucial role as the monstrous Cyclops encountered by Odysseus and his crew. This savage creature symbolizes the forces of nature and is one of the many challenges Odysseus will have to overcome on his journey to his long-lost home, Ithaca. Polyphemus embodies viciousness and highlights the differences between civilized beings and savages. His battle with Odysseus serves as a test of wit and courage, showcasing the hero's intelligence and ability…

Words 122 - Pages 1

Essay on Beowulf Vs

a series of epics that describe the intense battles that a heroic man endures. The story is said to be the equivalent to Homer’s Iliad and the Odyssey to the ancient Greeks. The epics about Beowulf is an oral story passed on through many generations, common during the Anglo­Saxon period and was viewed as one of England’s first great epics in their national literature. Besides Beowulf’s arrogance, we see characteristics in him throughout the epics that demonstrate a hero, which can also be compared to Ulysses, or to the greeks known as…

Words 358 - Pages 2