The Role Of Leadership In The Odyssey

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Pages: 3

Why is the definition of leadership unusually vague and disputed? Throughout the years, many have explored what it means to be a great leader and what roles or responsibilities a leader has. Homer, for example, depicts his ideas about leadership in his novel, The Odyssey. Along with Homer, George Orwell explores his views in 1984. Though both of these literary works share thoughts about leadership, they reveal opposite ends of the spectrum. While The Odyssey demonstrates admirable leadership, 1984 illustrates the destruction of inadequate leadership and the detriment it has on society.

In 1984, Orwell displays a dreadful city where proficient leadership skills are absent, and the government does not uphold its responsibilities of communicating, encouraging, and uniting. In fact, their corrupt leadership directly opposes these responsibilities. While exemplary leaders use communication and language to educate and influence others in a propitious way, the government in 1984 uses communication for personal gain and complete control over the citizens. Specifically, they frequently use slogans and doublespeak to delude and manipulate the city’s people. By continually publicizing the statement “BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
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Although these two literary works portrayed contradictory styles of leadership, they both corroborate the positive or negative impact leaders can have on society. Telemachus improved others and accomplished tasks, whereas the government in 1984 harmed others and destroyed the society. These profitable or damaging consequences were simply resultants of the leadership in each situation, and this explains why great leaders are in such high demand in today’s world. People are continually searching for those like Telemachus to lead, but are, unfortunately, often forced to concede to leaders like the government in