Question 2-
I do not think Odysseus is a hero for modern times. When we think of heroes we think of people who are physically and mentally tough. These people do not give into their weaknesses and will stop at nothing to obtain their goal. In Odysseus’ case he is trying to get home, but along the way he gets caught up with Calypso. Calypso will not let him free to get home to his beloved Penelope. He is not entirely faithful though because he sleeps with Calypso while he is on the island. A real hero does not give into his temptations no matter what the predicament. Martin Luther King Jr. could’ve given up at any time, but he knew what he had to do and he did it. Similarly, Odysseus happens upon Circe’s island. There he becomes her lover and lives there for a full year. This one is a little different in that he chooses to stay and she freely lets him go. This is not a hero like I said before a real hero does not give into his temptations. Certainly, one would think that a hero would willingly put a goal behind him. In the end, it just takes Odysseus that much longer to get home.
Additionally I think that Odysseus is not a hero because he is just a brute and is always out for revenge. Odysseus is transformed into a beggar and ends up in a palace. Irus, another beggar, taunts Odysseus and provokes him to begin a fight. Odysseus has his power restored and beats the snot out of Irus. Does a real hero get revenge and fight back? No, a real hero shrugs it off or takes it; they don’t go and beat up everyone who says a bad thing about them. He has power and he needs to use it responsibly. He is meant to help save the family not kill innocent beggars. Once Odysseus shows himself to the suitor it is too late for them. He does not give any mercy and kills all of them. Additionally, he has the disloyal servant women clean up all the bodies and blood and then kills them as well. A real hero has mercy, they will not get revenge. Odysseus doesn’t care about anything besides the fact that they were disloyal or suitors. Therefore, in his mind, they need to be killed.
2 comments:
I agree with your point on how we need a hero that should not give into temptations. That was a very poor decision of Odysseus, and I was upset that after all of his grief he gave into Calypso. Also great outstide connection to MLK!
I agree with your response. The actions that Odysseus took were not heroic; he gave into his temptations and was not strong mentally, which I feel is one of the main criteria of being a hero. This post was descriptive enough so that i understood exactly what your point was, yet i was never bored. Your connection to MLK was very creative! I would have never thought of that until you mentioned it! Keep up with the great posts!
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