Examples Of Adversity In The Odyssey

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In the last few chapters of Homer`s The Odyssey, there are many times when the characters show their strengths and skills. The main idea of the proverb “adversity is the foundation of virtue” is seen in the plot of The Odyssey. Odysseus goes through many perils and has to use his mastery in many skills to navigate his way around them. He uses his incredible self-control and ability to manipulate others in a crafty manner. Once Odysseus is back in Ithaca both he and Penelope show their wit and craftiness by hinting at each other about things and speaking to each other in an almost secret code. The quote adversity is the foundation of virtue applies to the quite a few of the characters, such as the suitors, staff, and servants. Some examples of this are when the bed that Odysseus made is incorrect ends up being a good thing because Penelope realizes that the beggar is Odysseus. Also when Eros wants to fight it seems bad but then when Odysseus takes off his shirt and exposes his muscles it becomes good because he has now shown the suitors that he was not just a sappy old man.
But this proverb does not only apply to the minor characters, it is true for the main characters, such as Odysseus, as well there are a few examples of this. One being when he is able to string, then shoot a bow though …show more content…
To make sure that the beggar was who she suspected he was, Odysseus in disguise, Penelope asked him about a dream where 20 of her geese are in a pond and a bird comes down and kills them all, she asks him to interpret this dream claiming to not know what it means but in a way she is asking him metaphorically if he is the bird and all the suitors are the geese and then to be certain she makes eurimikos give the beggar a bath and when she does she sees the scar on his thigh that he got when hunting with his grandfather. But Odysseus makes her not tell
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