To me Odysseus is a hero today just as much as he would be back in the day as well. He lies quite frequently, but this can easily be pardoned with the fact that secrecy is the perfect shadow a hero can hide in. Odysseus needs to be unknown to most of the people he comes across in his journey home and plot to kill the suitors. Athena changes the godlike Odysseus to look like an old begger, a very nice cover. Odysseus then crafts a short tale of his life to tell anyone who asks of his past and gain pity from them as well. From being a slave in Egypt to seeing Odysseus in Crete Odysseus story is nothing but a big fat lie, but it acheives his task none the less. If Odysseus hadn't been able to lie, he would not have been able to come back to Ithica to surprise the suitors. Heros now more then ever need to lie about themselves and change themselves to stay hidden and secret. Otherwise the world would squash them in the open and the hero would be useless.
Some heros have no negative characteristics. Most do have them. Odysseus' negative traits are ones that can be overlooked. People love colorful hero's and Odysseus is just that. Some people may say hes self centered and weak for having relations with other women while his wife stays true back at home. These traits can be trumped with his covered curiosity. Odysseus wants to hear the Sirens sing. Such temptation from the voices lures many to their deaths. Odysseus still wants to hear them sing, so he has his crew tie him and and stick wax in their ears so no one can or will want to do anything stupid. Using a smart plan Odysseus gets to do what he wants. If done the right way a person can do most anything.
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4 comments:
I agree with you Justin.
I believe that Odysseus is just as much a hero today.
I even would go as far as to say that today liers, cheaters and stealers are some peoples' heros (i.e. atheletes that get into trouble with illegal activities are a lot of young children's heros).
I agree with you justin that Odysseus would be just as much of a hero today as he would have in the olden days. Many heroes today lie just as much as everyone else does.
Your justification of Odysseus' lies is interesting, and I agree that Odysseus is brave to go to the lengths that he did in order to hear the Sirens. However, I wonder what Odysseus did that makes him a hero. I know that he was very brave and an interesting character, but he didn't do many heroic acts (such as saving someone's life or helping someone) througout the book.
Justin, nice anaylsis. Many modern heros do need to keep parts of their lives secret and use lies to cover themselves. I was wondering though if all heros need to have negative traits. Odysseus certainly does, but many of the modern heros are attacked for their slightest error, diminishing their adoration. Interesting idea!
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