Our technology has exceeded our humanity..

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity"
Albert Einstein

Einstein wrote this quote more than 60 years ago, and it is kind of funny that he already tought that our technology has exceeded our humanity. I wonder what he would say if he saw our world now..

Identification

'I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world for every of craft - my fame has reached the skies. Sunny Ithaca is my home.'

The Odyssey, Book 9


Odysseus finally know who he is, he recognizes his identity and decides to fight to accomplish his nostos

Beauty

Why, even a deathless god who came upon that place would gaze in wonder, heart entranced with pleasure. Hermes the guide, the mighty giant killer, stood there, spellbound...But one he'd had his fill marveling at it all he briskly entered the deep vaulted cavern.

The Odyssey, Book 5

Transition

"So great Odysseus buried himself in leaves and Athena showered sleep upon his eyes ... sleep in a swift wave delivering him from all his pains and labours, blessed sleep that sealed his eyes at last."

(Book V, Line 543-547)

Dream in the epic is very important because it represets transitions in the hero's journey. We see how Odyseeus arrives to the "real world" after all of the effort to get out of the mythological world. He rests and the next day when he wakes up he will be in a more civilized realm without all the unhuman magic surrounded him. This is very important because it means he is a step closer to the ultimate civilized place, that is his beloved Ithaca.

"Stop, old man!" Eurymachus, Polybus' son, rose up to take him on. "Go home and babble your omens to your children-

save them from some catastrophe coming soon. I'm a better hand than you at reading portents. Flocks of bird go fluttering under the sun's rays, not all are fraught with meaning. Odysseus? He's dead now, far from home-

would to god that you'd died with him too. We'd have escaped your droning prophecies then and the way you've loosed the dogs of this boy's anger-

your eyes peeled for a house-gift he might give you.

Here's my prophecy, bound to come to pass.

If you, you old codger, wise as the ages,

talk him around, incite the boy to riot,

he'll be the first to suffer, let me tell you.

And you, old man, we'll clap some fine on you

you'll weep to pay, a fine to crush your spirit!"

(Book II, line 198-215)

This is a perfect example of the behavior of the suitors, they are everything except heroic. They take all the goods from the king's house and they also are not civilized. When the old man is warning them with a prophecy that he got from the Gods, the suitors simply ignored what he had to say and treat him badly. An old man in the classical world is viewed as full of wisdom and more if he is a prophet. We see not only that the suitors are unjustce (no Dike), they also don't respect their elders resulting in chaos. I consider them as hubris as well, because they are mocking the prophecies that ultimately comes from the gods, so if they mock the gods they think they are supperior to them.

From Boy to Man

" And Athena lavished a marvelous splendor on the prince so the people all gazed in wonder as he came forward, the elders making way as he took his father's seat"

(Book II, line 12-14)

For me this part of the epic is very important because is when the boy is showing signs that he is going to become the man that we are all expecting to see. Telemachus needs to take action against the suitors but he still does not know how. I think the conversation with Athena is a Catalyst for him to understand that the next step is leaving Ithaca in order to become a man and come back again as a hero and inherit the Kleos from his father. When he takes his father's seat in the council of Ithaca and he is the one who calls the meating, we can say that he is taking charge as the prince and future king. We can also say that although he does try he is not ready yet because after he explains his concerns to the council he starts to cry, letting us know in a way that he is not ready yet and that he needs to undergo the rite of passage.

Forge Your Own Destiny

"Let no lack of a pilot at the helm concern you, no, just step your mast and spread your white sail wide."

-Circe, Book 10, The Odyssey

Imminent Destruction

"Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth,
our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man.
So long as the gods grant him power, spring in his knees,
he thinks he will never suffer affliction down the years.
But then, when the happy gods bring on the long hard times,
bear them he must, against his will, and steel his heart.
Our lives, our mood and mind as we pass across the earth,
turn as the days turn . . ."

This quote is a reference to what has happened to Odysseus. He feels himself to be completely under the power of the gods every whim, a feeling particularly common in the Greek psyche. It also shows a difference between how he accepts the burden and struggles through, hoping for better times, where many people would give up and wallow in their self pity and emotion, something that Odysseus rarely allows himself to do.
The quote is also a foreshadowing of what will happen to the suitors. They have a false sense of power, that will soon be torn from them, damning them to suffering and being forgotten.
It emphasizes also the power that the gods have. i feel that the childish emotional behaviour of the gods was a key part of why people were so god-fearing. They were not purely rational logical beings and so they have to tread carefully, apeasing the gods at every step along the way.

reference to what happened to odysseus
foreshadowing of what will happen to the suitors

Beauty

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
-Audrey Hepburn

Beauty, its nothing we've known, its a state of mind, a state of being. Beauty does in truth lie within the beholder. Beauty can be both harmful and harmless but if we look into the deeper meaning the way Audrey Hepburn put it doesn't matter what the person looks like its how they use it and that's beauty.

Biding his time

"Wild reckless taunts- and just as he passed Odysseus the idiot lurched out with a heel and kicked his hip but he couldn't knock the begger off the path he stood his ground so staunchly. Odysseus was otrn should he wheel with his staff and beat thte scoundrel senseless, or houst him up by the midriff, split his skull on the rocks? he steeled himself instead, his mind in full control."
book 17. line 255-260

In order for Odysseus to controll the element of surprise he must hold himself back and take whatever punishment he recieves. For if he were to lash out at the goatherd he would have to face the suitors and they would surly not stand for a lowly begger killing a servent who provided them their meat. Now is not the time for himself to confront the suitors and reveal himself so he must hold his ground. However he still has his pride and does not allow himself to show any sign that the goatherds harsh taunts and attack had any affect on him.

PEACE!

"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one." -John Lennon

We all are dreamers, but we don't have to just dream for peace. Of course world peace is hard to achieve but everyone can make a difference and a little goes along way. When I think of myself i don't know what I'm doing in my society to help achieve this I cant start with the world but I can start within my city. I need to start something as we all do. It has almost been 30 years of the death of John Lennon and its sad to know he didn't achieve his pursuit of peace but the thought of it will be persevered and together we will work for it.

The path of suffering

Athene: I will tell you all the troubles you are ... destined to suffer in your well-wrought house; but you must, of necessity, endure all, and tell no one out of all the men and the women that you have come back from your wanderings, but you must endure much grief in silence, standing and facing men in their violence.

The message is to undergo suffering because it cant be avoided. Odysseus will just be delaying time until he can deliver some serious payback!

starvation

Eurylochos, in Odysseus’s tale: Listen to what I say, my ... companions, though you are suffering evils. All deaths are detestable for wretched mortals, but hunger is the sorriest way to die and encounter fate. Come then, let us cut out the best of Helios’ cattle, and sacrifice them to the immortals who hold wide heaven, and if we ever come back to Ithaka, land of our fathers, presently we will build a rich temple to the Sun God Helios Hyperion, and store it with dedications, many and good. But if, in anger over his high-horned cattle, he wishes to wreck our ship, and the rest of the gods stand by him, I would far rather gulp the waves and lose my life in them once for all, than be pinched to death on this desolate island.

Eurylochos considers starvation the worst death of all and prefers to commit a crime against the gods than suffer this fate. Which until now hasnt been mentioned, however because food is so important to the Greeks it isnt surprising

Justice

"It is true that the young men with their ... black ship are lying in wait for him to kill him before he reaches his country; but I think this will not happen, but that sooner the earth will cover some one of those suitors, who now are eating away your substance."
-Athena

Athene reminds us that the suitors deserve death not only for violating the laws of hospitality, but for plotting to kill Telemachus and to marry Penelope.

Athene: Hold back, men of Ithaka, from the wearisome fighting, ... so that most soon, and without blood, you can settle everything.

Athene maintains that justice doesn’t always need to end with fighting, which i belive is a good motto for Greek culture. However fighting often brings glory

They did bad things

Odysseus: Keep your joy in your heart, old dame; stop, ... do not raise up the cry. It is not piety to glory so over slain men. These were destroyed by the doom of the gods and their own hard actions...

Odysseus reminds Eurykleia that the suitors were not killed for personal pleasure, therefore, they should not rejoice at the fallen men.

Question of Justice

Odysseus: O son of Polytherses, lover of mockery, never speak ... loud and all at random in your recklessness. Rather leave all speech to the gods, since they are far stronger than you are. Here is your guest gift, in exchange for that hoof you formerly gave to godlike Odysseus, as he went about through the palace.

I think it is justice that Ktesippos receives death for throwing a cow’s foot at a beggar any ideas?

Gods rule all

Zeus: For his sake Poseidon, shaker of the earth, although ... he does not kill Odysseus, yet drives him back from the land of his fathers. But come, let all of us who are here work out his homecoming and see to it that he returns. Poseidon shall put away his anger; for all alone and against the will of the other immortal gods united he can accomplish nothing.


The way that Poseidon works under Zeus’ force is an example of fate and free will combined. While he must eventually allow Odysseus to go home, he gets to choose how long it takes and how much the man will suffer in the process. Similarly, Odysseus is going to suffer and eventually go home, but his actions along the way are a matter of choice. The question then is whether, with the end point decided, the path to get there matters at all.

Destiny!

Zeus: Oh for shame, how the mortals put the blame ... on us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given...

Zeus suggests that man does have some control over his own destiny, but does the Odyssey argue for this? hmm who knowsss

home

'here is the beautiful place- who could mistake it?here is Odysseus' hall: no hall like this!''
-Book 17

- Display of the glory and richness of odysseus home .

Kingdom of the dead

"Shades of famous heroes, men who died in the old days and ghosts of even older age i longed to see" -Odysseus

Odysseus is finally coming to terms with death. He can now go home. I think of of my favourite books is book eleven because it shows how fearless Odysseus is and how he talks to his mother, that specifically was so sad. Also i think it was ironic how he talks to all the greatest hero's and the last hero he talks to is Heracles the greatest of them all, it sets him back on foot to finally finished his nastos.

warnings

''Son of Laertes and the gods of old,Odysseus, master of land ways and sea ways,dissemble to your son no longer now.the time has come: tell him how you together will bring doom on the suitors in the town.'' -Book 16

- explaning a warning to the suitors .

Homecoming

"Eurymachos, there is no more hope of my father’s ... homecoming. I believe no messages any more, even should there be one, nor pay attention to any prophecy, those times my mother calls some diviner into the house and asks him questions."
-Telemachus


Telemachus is finally growing into a adult and even though his father still isn't home he understands that Odysseus is on his nastos but he doesn't want the suitors to know. He is trying to keep his mother safe so he doesn't tell them the news Athena tells him. This shows us another them of lies and deceit.

hospitality

'There is your dinner friend, the pork of the slaves.Our fat shoats are eaten by the suitors,cold-heated men, who never spare a thought for how they stand in the sight of Zeus. The godsliving in bliss are fond of no wrongdoing,but honor discipline and right behavior.'" - book 14

Eumaius complains about the suitors who have destroyed the estate and he longs for the return of Odysseus, and shares his meat with odysseus. the suitors have been taking to much for granted .

The nature of things

Pleasant it is... to gaze from shore upon another's great tribulation:.... to percieve what what ills you are free from yourself is pleasent. Pleasent is it to behold great encounters of warfare arrayed over the plains, with no part of yours in the peril... O blind intelligences! In what gloom of life, that pain be removed away out of the body, and that the mind, kept away from care and fear, enjoy a feeling of delight!

On the nature of things
Loeb pp. 145

troubles will turn

"Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth,our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man.So long as the gods grant him power, spring in his knees,he thinks he will never suffer affliction down the years.But then, when the happy gods bring on the long hard times,bear them he must, against his will, and steel his heart.Our lives, our mood and mind as we pass across the earth,turn as the days turn" - book 18

The words do not foretell the future but recount the past and, explain the lesson it has taught him. To carry on and he accept his harships in the end troubles will turn .

Suffering

"There is nothing worse for mortal men than the ... vagrant life, but still for the sake of the cursed stomach people endure hard sorrows, when roving and pain and grief befall them."
-Odysseus

Odysseus agrees that one of the worst kinds of suffering is hunger and I think its sad because today in our modern day there are about 13% of the world population that don't have enough food to eat each day to have a healthy life. Six million children have malnutrition and are starving. They them selves have to endure hard sorrows and pain, and what are we doing to fix it?

envy

“But you, Achilles,there’s not a man in the world more blest than you— there never has been, never will be one.Time was, when you were alive, we Argiveshonored you as a god, and now down here, I see,you lord it over the dead in all your power.So grieve no more at dying, great Achilles.”I reassured the ghost, but he broke out, protesting,“No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus!By god, I’d rather slave on earth for another man—some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive—than rule down here over all the breathless dead.”- book 11

The heroes soeak on the differences between the two worlds they now inhabit, and each finds they'd rather be on the othe side. Odysseus envies Achilles’ strength and his kleos that it won him; Achilles envies Odysseus for being alive.

nostos

"So then,royal son of Laertes, Odysseus, man of exploits,still eager to leave at once and hurry backto your own home, your beloved native land?Good luck to you, even so. Farewell!But if you only knew, down deep, what painsare fated to fill your cup before you reach that shore,you’d stay right here, preside in our house with meand be immortal. Much as you long to see your wife,the one you pine for all your days" - book 5

- calypso making her plea for odysseus to stay , temps him with many things .shows how compelling his nostos is , he does not give in .

pain

"Just as Ihave come from afar, creating pain for many— men and women across the good green earth— so let his name be Odysseus . . . the Son of Pain, a name he’ll earn in full"- book 19

Odysseus grandfather , hoping that he will earn his name fully , pain is in his "blood". His scar on his leg , while hunting , maby not coincidental , later proves who he is .

Courage

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
-Maya Angelou

The founder of civilization

The first human who hurled an insult instead of a stone was the founder of civilization." Sigmund Freud

Walk Away

Are you considered tough when you can say "Ya I beat that guy up", or "Ya I totally kicked his ..."?
No, its having the courage to walk away. Being able to move on with your life, and being able to forgive and forget is what makes you the bigger person. It defines you not only to your peers, but also to yourself.
Courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, without fear. When you can do that, it shows that you not only have the courage to face your fears head on, but you can also walk away with your dignity and respect as well.

"We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world."
-Hellen Keller

Civilization Fall

The more rapidly a civilization progresses, the sooner it dies for another to rise in its place.
- Havelock Ellis

The end of the human race will be that it will eventually die of civilization.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Proud Day

It was a proud day for Grandfather, Father, and Son.

"Now you'll see, if you care tio watch father now i'm fired up. Disgrace, you say?
I won't disgrace your line!"

Laertes called out in deep delight,
"What a day for me, dear gods! what joy-my son and my grandson vying over courage!"
Book 24, line564

Unbalanced

"Where shepherd calls to shepherd as one drives in his flocks
and the other drives his out and he calls back in answer,
where a man who never sleeps could rake in double wages,
one for herding cattle, one for pasturing fleecy sheep,
the nightfall and the sunrise march so close together."
~ Odysseus
Book 10, page 233, lines 91-95

Heroes

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.

- Christopher Reeve

Christopher Reeve is a man who knows what it means to be a hero - he did play Superman after all. So, coming from him, this quote can actually really affect those who observe it. Odysseus fits the criteria for a hero in more than just the criteria laid out by this quote and yet he fits the above quote almost perfectly. In actuality he really is just an ordinary man, he was born from two mortals (albeit royals) and he grew up among mortals. It wasn't until he was older that his confrontations with the Gods occured. So, from an ordinary upbringing he rose to the occasion and met every challenge presented to him head on - he fought for his life, for his family's life, and for his country.

Most modern day heroes also fit this criteria. Not all are uncommonly strong, or dashingly attractive, or wealthy - some merely had the strength of will to persevere in the face of overwhelming obstacles. Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Romeo Dallaire, and Martin Luther King to name a few of the more well known ones. However, many more people in our world can be considered heroes just by simply living through overwhelming obstacles. People who have survived a debilitating, often lethal, disease like cancer or people who have struggled with abuse or poverty - these people are heroes in their own right.

Temptation

"Why, even a deathless god
who came upon that place would gaze in wonder,
heart entranced with pleasure. Hermes the guide,
the mighty giant-killer, stood there, spellbound..."
~ Narrator
Book 5, page 154, lines 81-84

Tommy Douglas

The father of medicare

While working on my politics presentation, I came across a truly determined, and courageous man, Tommy Douglas. Although he might not have been the most popular of all NDP leaders we've had, he certainly got things started.

“I felt that no boy should have to depend either for his leg or his life upon the ability of his parents to raise enough money to bring a first-class surgeon to his bedside. And I think it was out of this experience, not at the moment consciously, but through the years, I came to believe that health services ought not to have a price tag on them, and that people should be able to get whatever health services they require irrespective of their individual capacity to pay.”


-"Courage, my friends; 'tis not too late to build a better world."

Just a bit of human emotion

"That was the song the famous harper sang
but great Odysseus melted into tears,
running down from his eyes to wet his cheeks..."
~ Narrator
Book 8, page 208, line 585-587

Home at Last

"Odysseus..."
"You-you're truly my son, Odyssues home at last?"

- the first real proof that Odyssues has finally returned home, and has almost completed his Nostos.

Pg 478
book 24, line365

Tyranny...The Answer to Inaction?

"Greek sources label Pisistratus and his sons tyrants. This was a foreign word signifying individuals who ruled over Greek cities, and in fact many cities, not just Athens, went through a period of one-man rule in the late seventh and sixth centuries B.C. Whether they ruled well or badly, whether they seized power or inherited it or were appointed by a higher authority, the Greeks called these rulers tyrants, not kings...For this reason, and because tyrants were often associated with arbitrary and cruel behaviour, the word has negative connotations."
-The Ancient Mediterranean World

As a society, we take great pains to avoid concentration of power in any individual, especially in our governmental systems. The rise of bureaucracies and parliaments have facilitated a dilution of power, and many countries, such as America, have established governments where there are internal checks and balances so as to prevent complete power being vested in a single person or body. Afraid of arbitrary rule, we see an eminent corruption in an individual who wields too much power. Concentration of power seems to be the recipe for the demise of freedom.
However, this has not always been the case. Throughout history, this concept of "tyranny" has often proved favourable. In times of civil unrest, war, or instability, having one man making decisions and following a set policy was more effective than having different bodies vying to exercise their own opinions, wasting time and causing divisiveness within a nation. In many cases, when power becomes too spread out, the actions of a government become futile. In modern times, inaction, caused by minority governments and opposing parties, is a problem that many countries struggle with.
Should we be so quick to condemn the concentration of power?

"Each of us in our own way can try to spread compassion into people's hearts.
Western civilizations these days place great importance on filling the human 'brain' with knowledge, but no one seems to care about filling the human 'heart' with compassion. This is what the real role of religion is."
- Dalai Lama, 1989 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

"All religions are founded on the fear of the many and the cleverness of the few."
- Stendhal, 19th Century French Writer

Civilization; Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

"You can't say civilization doesn't advance ... In every war they kill you in a new way."
- Will Rogers, American Entertainer

"As long as our civilization is esentially one of property, of fences, of exclusiveness, it will be mocked by delusions." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Poet

"Today we are faced with the preeminent fact that, if civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world, at peace."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd US President

the sea

"Nothing worse than the sea, I always say, to crush a man, the strongest man alive."

Book 8 line 160

Odysseus - Mightiest King, Mightiest Beggar

"The two men squared off-
...with a hook below the ear, pounding Irus's neck,
smashing the bones inside-
suddenly red blood
came spurting out of his mouth, and headlong down
he pitched in the dust, howling, teeth locked in a grin,
feet beating on the ground...
'Now hold your post - play the scarecrow to all the pigs and dogs!
But no more lording it over strangers, no more playing
the beggar-king for you, you loathsome fool,
or you'll bring down something worse around your neck!'
He threw his beggar's sack across his shoulders -
torn and tattered ...
then back he went to the sill and took his seat."
Book 18, lines 108-127, The Odyssey

Again and again, Odysseus proves himself as a man beyond average men, a hero of strength no matter what his outer appearances may mislead. Here, he takes down another beggar (aka, "one of his kind"), as unexpected by taunting witnesses. Throughout the end of the epic, he continues to affirm and demonstrate outstanding greatness, whether through skill, cunning, or physique, Odysseus has the whole package of a hero.

Father & Son Reunited

"'No, I am not a god,'
the long-enduring, great Odysseus returned.
'Why confuse me with one who never dies?
No, I am your father -
the Odysseus you wept for all your days,
you bore a world of pain, the cruel abuse of men.'"
-Book 16, lines 209-214, The Odyssey

A true champion

“A champion is someone who does not settle for that day's practice, that day's competition, that day's performance. They are always striving to be better. They don't live in the past.”

-Briana Scurry

This relates to the odyssey very much, the reason for this is because Odysseus never settles for the days success but always strives in order to do better and concur a bigger task. An example of this is when he ends up on the island with Circa even though he is tempted to stay on the island with the beautiful goddess and can live in happiness his whole life , he knows he must do whats right and travel back to Ithaca to his real family to truly believe he is a true hero.

The dinner is served

"there is your dinner friend, the pork of the slaves.

our fat shoats are eaten by the suitors,

cold-heated men, who never spare a thought

for how they stand in the sight of Zeus. The gods

living in bliss are fond of no wrongdoing,

but honor discipline and right behaviour."

-Book 14; lines 97-103

A beard on his face

Book 20 pp. 420 line 340

"Ctesippus, you can thank your lucky stars you missed our guest-he ducked your blow, by god! Else I would have planted my sharp spear in your bowels... Enough. Don't let me see more offenses in my house, not from anyone! I'm alive to it all, now, the good and the bad- the boy you knew is gone... but no more of your crimes against me please!... guests treated to blows, men dragging the serving-women through our noble house, exploiting them all, no shame!"

Telemachus is no longer afraid to stand up to his guest, realizing it shows badly upon him to allow the suitors to commit such barbarous acts against his guests in his own home. He has completed his rite of passage and left his home and shelter of his mother and servants, learning and growing becoming the great man he was meant to be. He knows that he cannot justify attacking the suitors as they are guests in his house despite there brazen, disrespectful actions but he certainly cannot allow them to attack his guests. If Telemachus had done this before his voyage he would have been struck down by the suitors, but coming back with a beard on his face, stories to tell and gifts from kings of far away states the suitors know he is no longer a boy and is not be trifled with and his surly being watched by the gods.

The Almighty Forever

"So they mocked, but Odysseus, mastermind in action,
once he'd handled the great bow and scanned every inch,
then, like an expert singer skilled at lyre and song ...
with his virtuoso ease Odysseus strung his mighty bow ...
Horror swept through the suitors, faces blanching white
... drawing the notch
and bowstring back, back ... he let fly -
clean on through to the last and out"
Book 21, lines 451-470, The Odyssey

This momentous act allowed Odysseus's true kleos to shine through, even in the form of another body. Disguised as the lowest of the lows in society, this showed Odysseus's true value as a hero, being able to out-skill all others as their jaws dropped in amazement. Even without his outer, beautiful appearance of muscle and strength, he can still prove he is a hero with a "mastermind" of cunning and finesse, as well as showing himself as the rightful man for his bride.

The Slaughter

"Laughing rowdily, men prepared their noonday meal, succulent, rich-they'd butchered quite a herd. But as for supper, what could be less enticing than what a goddess and a powerful man would spread before them soon? A groaning feast-for they'd been first to plot their vicious crimes."

-The Odyssey (Book 20; Line 434)

Working the 9 to 5

"For the gods keep the means of life concealed from humans. Otherwise you would easily be able to work in just one day so as to have enough for a whole year even without working."

-Hesiod (Loeb Classical Library Reader; Works and Days; Page 14)

The Great Soldier

"'So the great soldier took his bow and bent it for the bowstring effortlessly. He drilled the axeheads clean,sprang, and decanted arrows on the door sill,glared, and drew again. This time he killed Antinous.'"



-Book 24, lines 196-201

The Powerful God

"Son of Laertes and the gods of old,
Odysseus, master of land ways and sea ways,
command yourself. Call off this battle now,
or Zeus who views the wide world may be angry."



-Book 24, lines 605-609

Is it Okay to Believe What's Right in Front of Your Eyes?

"Living proof -
Penelope felt her knees go slack, her heart surrender,
recognizing the strong clear signs Odysseus offered.
She dissolved in tears, rushed to Odysseus, flung her arms
around his neck ...
But don't fault me, angry with me now because I failed,
at the first glimpse, to greet you, hold you so ...
In my heart of hearts I always cringed with fear
some fraud might come, beguile me with his talk;
the world is full of the sort,
cunning ones who plot their own dark ends."
- Book 23, p462, lines 230-245, The Odyssey

After the longest 20 years of their lives, the gods have long tested the love between Odysseus and Penelope, ultimately giving them every opportunity to give up on each other after years upon years apart. They have faced overwhelming evidence that they were meant to be apart, with Penelope having countless men to choose from to replace the invaluable Odysseus, thinking she might never rest her eyes upon him again, in addition to the several obstacles and temptations Odysseus faced along the journey back to his native territory. The tests of their love have been so agonizing that the idea of finally reuniting with the love of her life is completely inconceivable. She thinks this must be some sort of cruel joke, a misuse of the skill of cunning. However, when she finally realizes that her dreams have long last become reality, the euphoria is incomparable.

Fearless

"'Stand clear, put up your sword;let me but taste of blood. I shall speak true.'"


-Book 11, lines 106-107

- At this part of the Book you can tell Odysseus is fearless and is up for any challenge. No matter what the task is he will complete it. He knows that he is a leader and if he were to show a little bit of fear his crew would give up and accept defeat. Odysseus knows this, that's why he will never show fear. He is a leader and an example for his crew.

Heroic Mantra

Book 5 pp. 159 line 240

".... she is mortal after all and you, you never age or die... nevertheless I long- I pine, all my days to travel home and see the dawn of my return. And if a god will werck me yet again on the wine-dark sea, i can bear that too, with a spirit tempered to endure. Much i have suffered laboured long and hard by now in the waves and wars. add this to the total- bring the trial on!"

This is Odyseus' heroic mantra, he has waited years to go home and realizing he wont just be set free he must demand his passage home. This is what proves he is a true hero, he has a perfect life with calypso on her beautiful island getting anything he could desire. But he wants his home, with his wife and son, his glory. He may have everything in a lazy mans eyes, but to him he has nothing. He has already suffered so much, and yet he realizes that there may still be more to come, but Odyseus is an epic hero and will bear through any task put before him. Endure any labour and will not give up until he reaches his home and completes nostos, or die trying.

Eurylochus the Brave

Book 10 line pp. 238 line 290

But he flung both arms around my knees and pleaded, begging me with his tears and winging words: 'Don't force me back there, captain, king leave me here on the spot...'

Eurylochus is described as brave by Homer, he was even chosen by Odysseus to be his right hand man. He is always the first one to speak his mind and lead the way, but only to better himself, when he is faced with any real danger he becomes weak and falls to his knees. He fights Odysseus' rule knowing that his King will not strike one of his own crew down for only speaking his beliefs, and because of this he leads the crew astray on several occasions. Foolishly guiding them to even more hardship by taking the easy way out. Unfortunately for Odysseus the actions of a crew is reflected on to their captain. The crews shortsighted actions caused much strife for both themselves and Odysseus. In the end on the island of Thrinacia they make their fatal mistake, going against the oath they swore by killing the cattle of the sun god, they paid for this mistake with their lives.

The Life of a Human

"--the strife of wits, the fight for precedence, all labouring night and day with surpassing toil to mount upon the pinnacle of riches and to lay hold on power." - On the Nature of Things, Lucretius

This describes the life of most human beings. Everyone nowadays always strives to become rich and live the "good life", but we don't know exactly what this good life really is. We don't find peace of mind because we are too busy "labouring night and day" whether it be at our job or at school. All our lives we want to make money and be powerful because people tell us that's what we should want. The idea of being rich and powerful is fixated in the minds of humans. The working for us never ends...

Thinking Ahead

"'Nohbdy, Nohbdy's tricked me, Nohbdy's ruined me.'"

-Book 9, line 443

-A smart person is someone who plan's for the future. In this quote Odysseus shows his ability to think ahead in situations. He knew that if he were to try and hurt the beast he would be attacked by the other Cyclopes so he tricked the beast into thinking his name was Nohbdy. This trick would give Odysseus time to escape the island in order to return home. This is another aspect why he is a true hero. He takes per cautions when needed for his own safety.

Master of cunning makes a mistake.

Book 9 pp. 227 line 560

I called back with another burst of anger, 'Cyclops, if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so-say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes' son who makes his home in Ithaca!'

This is a pivotal point in Odysseus' voyage home where despite having been able to devise a plan to escape the cyclops' island he lets himself be consumed by Hubris and reveals himself to the monster he had escaped. By doing so he doomed his crew and himself to many years of suffering at the hands of Poseidon, Polyphemus' father. Odysseus learned from his mistake, realizing that you should only reveal yourself when you know it is truely the perfect time. Even when you think your home free, gloating about it will end badly.

Suffering to achieve.

"So I said, and it broke my shipmates' hearts.
They sank down on the ground, moaning, tore their hair.
But it gained us nothing-what good can come of grief?"
~ Odysseus
Book 10, page 248, line 623-625

Odysseus knows that he and his men must suffer more. Knowing that he has not achieved his nostos yet, he must continue on. Suffering along with his men is not an option in order to succeed in achieving his goal. This is a requirement of a hero according to Homer and so Odysseus must toil and slave longer in order to acquire greatness. Being plagued by the gods through bad weather and the circumstances that surely test his capabilities and skill, Odysseus knows that he will get what he wants. He will return home.

The idea of heroism in the Greek civilization is evident and very prominent in Homer's classic; the Odyssey, the journey of a man who achieves greatness and the title of a hero through his troubles and travels. In order to deserve, one must prove themselves worthy of the title; "hero".
If you suffer, you will be rewarded. This also refernces back to the idea of the golden mean, the balance in Greek society that maintains values. The balance of negative and positive, of good and evil, of suffering and rewards, is required in life. To learn and go through circumstances in life that show this balance is a requirement of life.

Outsmarted

"Not for all the world. Not
until you consent to swear, goddess, a binding oath
you'll never plot some new intrigue to harm me!"
~ Odysseus
Book 10, page 241, line 380-382

This shorter passage from The Odyssey gives us key information about more of Odysseus' character. Metis, and/or cunning, is "shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception" (Google, Define:). Being able to manipulate Circe into getting what he wants and spare him from being used, we see that Odysseus is a thinker rather than using means of brawn when it comes to his current situation to achieve what he wants. This theme of brains over brawn is a reoccurring one along with the theme of cunning. Outsmarting the witch in order to protect himself is what he does, and one can say that this increases one's chance of survival.

A great leader

“I don't know any other way to lead but by example.”

-Don shula

This is a great quote from a former football player/coach, this relates to Odysseus because in this quote he talks about him being a leader and how he doesn't know any other way to be one unless he does the things he believes he has to be done in order to be the leader of his team. This is basically saying that you cant just tell your crew to do things , you must show them how and then they will follow your lead into becoming a better team.

Son meets Father

"No, I am not a god," the long-enduring, great Odysseus returned. "Why confuse me with one who never dies? No, I am your father- the Odysseus you wept for all you days, you bore a world of pain, the cruel abuse of men." (16.209-214)

This quote marks the first contact between Odysseus and Telemachus. Father-son relations are a significant theme present in the Odyssey but all of the other examples are inferior to the likes of this one because for the 15 books preceding this, the two have shown that they needed to find each other through each of their journeys. This also marks the point where their missions merge. Odysseus, on top of getting home, must now find a way to rid of the suitors.

The Lost Symbol

"Andros bought a sprawling villa on the island of Syros and settled in among the bella gente in the exclusive town of Possidonia. This new world was a community not only of wealth, but of culture and physical perfection. His neighbors took great pride in their bodies and minds, and it was contagious. The newcomer suddenly found himself jogging on the beach, tanning his pale body, and reading books. Andros read Homer's Odyssey,captivated by the images of powerful bronze men doing battle on these islands." (Dan Brown, The Lost Symbol, page 223)

This thriller of a novel is evidently considerably deep in terms of how much intellectual content is present. Here Brown describes a person's transformation. He specifies that taking care of your body is paramount in terms of self perfection along with expanding one's mind. Specifically, the mention of the Odyssey indicates that Brown must consider it a worthy story worth reading as it inspires his character to not only improve his physical body but also is a part of his intellectual expansion. The context that the Odyssey is mentioned in shows our link to the past; how we want to imitate great warriors of Homer's time by being as physically perfected as one can be while having a constantly developing mind that can bend ideas into realities.

Cunning

"I will tell you. But you must give me a guest-gift as you've promised.
Nobody-that's my name. Nobody-so my mother and father call me, all my
friends."
~Odysseus
Book 9, page 223, line 409-411

I know you now.

"What pains-the gods have given me my share.
Now let me begin by telling you my name...
so you may know it well and I in times to come,
if I can escape the fatal day, will be your host,
your sworn friend, though my home is far from here.
I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world
for every kind of craft-my fame has reached the skies."
~Odysseus
Book 9, page 212, line 16-22

In this passage we have Odysseus, our hero, identifying himself to the Phaeacians and beginning to tell his story to them. He tells us that he has suffered, as all true heroes do, and that he will prevail until he arrives on his native land again. Knowing of his fame, he tells us that he is the one people speak of; he is a hero. He is cabable and skilled, he has suffered and prospered, he has gotten to where he is now because he has perservered. The theme of "unveiling" and "identification" is evident knowing that the Phaeacian people do not know who he is and do not recognise him. The identification of our hero in this passage declares an under layer of truth and wisdom from Odysseus.

The Sweetest Sight

"I know no sweeter sight on earth than a man's own native country."

~ Odysseus

Book 9, page 212, line 31-32

Not Yet...

"What hard labor, queen," the man of craft replied, "to tell you the story
of my troubles start to finish."

~ Odysseus

Book 7, page 187, line 277-278

Subconcious Transitions

"He set out for the woods and not far from the water
found a grove with a
clearing all around and crawled
beneath two bushy olives sprung from the
same root,
one olive wild, the other well-bred stock."
~ Narrator
Book 5, page 167, line 525-528

This depiction of Odysseus that Homer gives to us shows us the current state that our hero is in. Naked with nothing to aid him, shelter him, or provide for him, we see that Odysseus has been reduced to the circumstances of a human. Purely with nothing else, he sleeps underneath these two olive bushes; one wild, one tame. This natural imagery tells us of the boundaries between the civilized world and the uncivilized world; the difference between wild, and tame. Odysseus, having nothing, is dirty, naked, hungry and wild. The action of sleeping represents a transition for Odysseus from the wild to the civilized world. The separation from reality and fantasy is represented by sleep; it is a transition.

The Prevalence of Patriotism

"I know no sweeter sight on earth than a man's own native country."

-Odysseus, The Odyssey, Book 9

The Latest and Greatest

"It is always the latest song, the one that echoes last in the listeners' ears, that people praise the most." -Telemachus (The Odyssey)


Humans beings seem to have always housed the desire to discover the next best thing, praising the up-and -coming and shunning older models. How many of us discarded our perfectly functional iPods or cell phones when a newer, more exciting model was introduced? Does our desire for the latest and (so we think) greatest reflect an appreciation of innovation, or a naïve belief that the new is always an improvement from the old?

Emotion

"The master's anger rose inside his chest, torn in thought, debating, head and heart- should he up and rush them, kill them one and all or let them rut with their lovers one last time? The heart inside him growled low with rage..."

-The Odyssey; Book 20, Line 10

Pure emotion-anger and hatred-has filled Odysseus' soul. As we learned in Hamlet, it takes a lot for a normal human being to kill another. Odysseus has clearly killed before, but it was out of necessity and a defense of his city rather than an extremely personal scorn for another man. Although Odysseus had affairs with other women during his time away from Ithaca, he appeared to always want to eventually return to Penelope. Once he realized what the suitors had been up to-pestering his wife, taking his food, and performing pure savagery in his own house-Odysseus was insulted. He was so insulted that he reached the point of murder. Odysseus has to defend his honour and his wife's honour not only because of the ramifications if he doesn't, the suitors continuing to bother the family and his reputation, but also because emotion is the truest gauge of a man's character, a character that he must stay true to.

The Life of A Hero

"Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth, our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man. So long as the gods grant him power, spring in his knees, he thinks he will never suffer affliction down the years. But then, when the happy gods bring on the long hard times, bear them he must, against his will, and steel his heart.
Our lives, our mood and mind as we pass across the earth, turn as the days turn . . ." - Odyssey, Book 18, Lines 150-158

The Path to Glory

"It is from the greatest dangers that the greatest glory may be won."

-Greece: Crucible of Civilization

Back in October, we watched a video called "Greece: Crucible of Civilization" that outlines the history of Ancient Greece until the Persian Wars. I copied down a line from the narration, as I thought it was particularly applicable to not only Greek history, but the hero's epic as well. Just as the Greeks won respect and a strong reputation for their triumph in the face of danger, Odysseus became the hero that he was through overcoming obstacles. The magnitude of these obstacles helped augment his glory, for it is true: the more difficult the task, the more praise you merit.

What Happened to Eternal Paradise?

"No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus!

By god, I'd rather slave on earth for another man-

Some dirt poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive-

Than rule down here over the breathless dead."

-Achilles, The Odyssey, Book 11

In many religions around the world, there is a sense of justice exercised in the afterlife. Good, deserving people are allowed admittance to a utopia of sorts where all their benevolence on earth will be rewarded; evil people with dark pasts are sent to a hell where they pay for their sins. However, this was not the case for the Greeks, who saw no paradise awaiting them after they breathed their last breath. Death was an equalizer, and a dark one at that. Not even heroes like the great Achilles could find honour in the afterlife, which he expresses in the quote above. Death was not a comfort; there was no talk of going to a "better place". Achilles' vehement decree that he would rather live as the lowliest being on earth than rule in death reflects the importance the Greeks saw in life, greatly contrasting other religions' concern with devoting their days on earth to readying their immortal soul for the afterlife.

Excellence

We need to internalize this idea of excellence. Not many folks spend a lot of time trying to be excellent
-Barack Obama

HSC Tradition
-Pride, Excellence, Tradition.

Definition:
The quality of being excellent; state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue.

"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction"

-Blaise Pascal

I completely agree with this quote, because it's true. People, not just men though, seem to believe what they're doing is right as long as it goes with their religious views and beliefs.

Reassurance

Being faithful

In book 11, while Odysseus is talking to Agamemnon, there comes a point when he mentions how his wife was unfaithful, but Odysseus has no need to worry about this because his wife is clever, and always honourable to her husband, but why does that rule only apply to the wife? Why is it reassuring that Penelope is faithful and clever, all the while Odysseus has slept with every women who has tempted him. The balance confuses me, becuase Odyssues has no guilty concious.

The Odyssey

"For too much rest itself becomes a pain." The Odyssey, Book 15

Can Grief Lead to Good?

"What good can come of grief?"

-Book 10, The Odyssey

In book 10 of the Odyssey, there are several instances of turmoil and sadness that result in Odysseus questioning whether grief can result in any good. He seems to come to the conclusion that it cannot, as he encourages his crew to shake off their unhappiness so as to focus on the task ahead.

I found the question of "what good can come of grief?" quite interesting. I don't think grief is a futile sentiment. Although I can see where a grieving crew might hinder a hero's journey, in the real world I believe that grief has a valid purpose. It is through grief that people can reflect, learn lessons, and realize the importance of whatever was lost. I see grief as a tribute to a life lost, where the person who is mourning can appreciate the magnitude of their love in such a way that may not have been possible while the object of their grief lived. I think grief is vital part of the healing process, a period of deep affectation that can result in a rejuvenation instead of an omnipresent ache that has not been properly dealt with. Perhaps if Odysseus allowed his crew to grieve, he would lead happier men into the next stages of their journey.

What do you think?

Philosophy

"In the sixth century B.C., a new way of thought arose in parts of the Greek world-the beginning of what the Greeks later called philosophy, which means "love of wisdom."

-The Ancient Mediterranean World; Page 72

Philosophy's birthplace coincided with democracy, modern literature, citizenship, and other matters of utmost importance during the sixth century B.C. in Greece. Philosophy is an important thing to study because it looks at the bigger picture; why things are how they are and if in fact things actually are how they appear. Philosophy opens people up to the possibility that their reality may not be quite what they thought it was. The problem with philosophy has always been, and looks as if it will continue to be, that it is a subject that leaves many questions unanswered. It often moves in endless circles that give one no reasonable assurance or proof about a certain matter. Nevertheless, it is important to question what has been taught, for without questioning there will never be any intellectual progress.

Gods Acting for Their Individual Benifits

"Father Zeus! the rest of you blissful gods who never die- punish them all, that crew of Laertes' son Odysseus- what an outrage! They, killed my cattle, the great joy of my heat . . . day in, day out, when I climbed the starry skies and when I wheeled back down from the heights to touch the earth once more. Unless they pay me back in blood for the butchery of my herds, down I go to the House of Death and blaze among the dead!" (12.406-412)

"But now they've swept him across the sea in their swift ship, they've set him down in Ithaca, sounds asleep, and loaded the man with boundless gifts- bronze and hoards of gold and robes- aye, more plunder than he could ever have won from Troy if Odysseus had returned intact with his fair share!" (13.153-157)

Poseidon and Helios through books 12 and 13 are examples of such gods who do as they wish in order to satisfy their wants. Helios is angry at the fact that Odysseus' crew killed his cattle. Poseidon simply doesn't seem to like Odysseus. They both get what they want but a key factor relating the two is that they both speak to Zeus perhaps for guidance or permission to let off their anger.

Poseidon has no real quarrel with Odysseus but he just doesn't seem satisfied that he travels home as easily as he had. This simply isn't fair at all for Odysseus unless you consider the fact that the cyclops was a child of Poseidon but before their encounter, it was apparent that he had things against Odysseus.

Helios had a legitimate reason to be angry with Odysseus' crew since they had eaten his heart's joy. It was because he was so quick to react to their actions proves that their own selves (gods) are more significant than those of mortals and possibly other gods. Therefore this is evidence that gods act for themselves much more willingly than for others.

Examining this, it seems as though this is evidence to the fact that gods were a force to be feared in Homer's time, at least from Homer's perspective. Therefore it must have been an apparent consideration that would've affected the decisions of the people in that age. Also this can be interpreted as a possible flaw in the gods. Homer depicts them, with this evidence, as self loving supreme immortal beings (excluding Athena) and thus makes them poor role models for being an overall good being. Maybe it was Homer's interpretation that gods weren't meant to be imitated but simply to be feared and respected as they are a higher force that is impossible to parallel.

temptation a humans greatest weakness?

temptation is an on going weakness for many people everyday and we must find ways in order to work around it . In the Odyssey , Odysseus has to overcome many temptations in order to finally return back to his city of Ithaca. But its not just Odysseus that has to over come his temptations but the whole crew, and a great example is when they want to see whats in Odysseus sack since they believe he is lying to them and getting treasure from the islands they have been at. Instead of avoid there temptation of opening the bag and finding out whats really in the sack that Odysseus received from the god of wind, they ripped it open and they caused them to release the winds and sent them back to were there journey first started.

Another great example of temptation would be when Odysseus reveals his name to Polyphemus. This was Odysseus's hunger for kleos and his temptation was to let people know who he really is , since he was happy he had just defeated the one eyed monster. He was caught in the heat of the moment and wasn't thinking of the consequences that could later come ,bringing Poseidon's wrath upon him and his men. This shows how hard it is to avoid temptation even the great hero Odysseus couldn't hold it back.

This shows that temptation is in fact a great weakness for a human and if you don't know how to hold back from them , it can really come back to bite you.

The Easy Way out

"should I leap over the side and drown at oce or grit my teeth and bear it, and stay among the living" (pg. 232)

- A true hero never gives up, they keep working until they have achieved what they set out to do. In this quote Odysseus shows a sign of suicide. To him it seems like nothing is going his way. He doesn't see the point of life if nothing is going his way. If Odysseus were to give up he wouldn't just be letting himself down, his crewman would also be effected by him giving up. If Odysseus there leader were to give up they would have no one to follow and think it is alright to give up. This is why it's always best to never give up. You should always work hard as you can.

Nostos

"But the royal couple, once they'd reveled in all the longed-for joys of love, reveled in each other's stories, the radiant woman telling of all she'd borne at home, watching them there, the infernal crowd of suitors slaughtering the herds of cattle an good fat sheep - while keen to win her hand - draining the broached vats dry of vintage wine."

- The Odyssey Book 23, Page 465

Odysseus finally gets his homecoming.

Beggar

"Get off the porch, you old goat, before I haul you off by the leg! Can't you see them give me the wink, al of them here, to drag you out - and so I would but I've got some pangs of conscience. Up with you, man, or before you know it, we'll be trading blows!"

- Arnaeus, The Odyssey, Book 18, page 375

Just goes to show that not everyone can treat royalty with reverence all the time, regardless of the fact that he didn't know who he was.

Mutiny and Admiration

"You're a hard man, Odysseus. Your fighting spirit's stronger than ours, your stamina never fails. You must be made of iron head to foot. Look, your crew's half-dead with labor, starved for sleep, and you forbid us to set foot on land,this island here, washed by the waves, where we might catch a decent meal again"

- Eurylochus, The Odyssey Book 12, Page 280

Like in the earlier part of this chapter, Odysseus is again being raised above the rest as this super being - better in every aspect. Following this little comparison Eurylochus essentially plants the seed for a mutiny by bringing up all of the deficiencies in their plan - they need sleep, they need food, they must rest. By doing so he is undermining Odysseus' authority. He is feeding fuel to the fire.

Old Phrases, New Meanings

"But now I cleared my mind of Circe's orders - cramping my style, urging me not to arm at all."

- Odysseus, The Odyssey Book 12, Page 278

'Cramping my style' - an older phrase that was popularized in the early 90's if I remember correctly, perhaps earlier, and yet it all stemmed from a piece of literature far, far older than that. This is but one of the many instances in classical literature where phrases become popular once again. Odysseus used it, Bart Simpson used it and it has most likely been used by our generation and the generations preceding ours. At the very least we all know of it and yet it is far older than anyone can remember. I guess this proves that good literature is everlasting, the right phrase - timeless.

Modesty

"But even from there my courage, my presence of mind and tactics saved us all, and we will live to remember this someday, I have no doubt."

- Odysseus, The Odyssey Book 12, Page 278

For all of his redeeming qualities this is one of the first very obvious representations of one of his faults. He isn't modest, he is proud of who he is and while that is good to a certain extent it can also cause dissent between the ranks of men. His crew don't seem themselves as part of the journey because Odysseus takes credit for it. It is he who had courage, he who had the presence of mind - he is saying he is the one who saved them. If I were a crew member it would be devastating to believe that through it all my contribution meant nothing.

Cattle of the Sun

"Leave the beasts unharmed, your mind set on home, and you all may still reach Ithaca - bent with hardship, true - but harm them in any way, and I can see it now: your ship destroyed, your men destroyed as well! And even if you escape, you'll come home later, all shipmates lost, and come home a broken man"

- Circe, The Odyssey Book 12, Page 275

Circe has warned Odysseus of his fate, of what is awaiting him on his journey and yet he still perseveres. He shows incredible will and almost selfishness in his quest to get home in that he is willing to sacrifice his shipmates if it means he will arrive home to his family. It is sweet in a way, that his love for them is so strong, but he is doomed countless other families to a life without their husband or son or father. Circe's warning falls on deaf ears to an extent with the cattle being slaughtered by one of the shipmates in a fit of desperation. It just goes to show that things don't always go as planned and that what you strive for, what you want, can't always occur. Odysseus wants to go home, he wants to be with his family, but at every turn he is met with an obstacle of some form. His crew, the winds, the gods, the monsters, the sirens - the list never ends.

Hercules

"Son of Zeus that I was my, torments never ended, forced to slave for a man not half the man I was: he saddled me with the worst heartbreaking labors. Why, he sent me down here once, to retrieve the hound that guards the dead - no harder task for me, he thought - but I dragged the great beast up from the underworld to earth and Hermes and gleaming-eyed Athena blazed the way!"

- Hercules. The Odyssey Book 11 Page 270

In the modern world we still make references to Hercules and his labours in everyday life. From television to movies to magazines to casual conversation, even advertising is riddled with references to the classic hero. The above quote illustrates his take on what he had to do, on how he felt about what he was faced with and I believe it is a good show of morality. It makes him real, no longer this mythical being in a sense because he felt pain. He felt sorrow and heartache, he felt despair and the torment - he was human. As are all of us so if he can face this adversity, despite his god given gifts, and become immortalized then what is to say that one of our generation will not be the next Hercules.

Cruel World

"...You'd grudge your servant a pinch of salt from your own larder, you who lounge at the next man's board but lack the heart to tear a crust of bread and hand it on to me, though there's god plenty here." - Odysseus, Book 17, Lines 503-506

This quote reminds me a lot of beggars today and how today's society treats/interprets them. Although we don't know what beggars have gone through in their past, many of us hesitate to give them money or food. Whenever a beggar asks me for money, I always give them some. I think of how I would feel in their situation. Maybe they wasted their life and dropped out of school, but what if you did the same? As far as I'm concerned, you'd still be a human who still needs food, water, shelter, etc. I see many people who certainly have change or have food that they don't want but still do not give it to these people. Back then, with exception to Antinous, people did not hesitate to give others food or shelter even if they did not know them or their past. When people saw others in a bad situation, they helped them. The world was a much more trusting and hospitable place back then, but has changed greatly overtime. The world today seems to be a paranoid and unkind place in which everyone only cares about their own well being.

Neighbourly Love

"For a man to take something from his neighbour and to profit by his neighbour's loss is more contrary to nature than is death or poverty or pain or anything else that can affect either our person or our property."

-Cicero (Loeb Classical Library Reader; "Duty to one's neighbour"; pg. 133)


The value of neighbours and community was quite prevalent in Ancient Greece. Parents taught their children to respect, defend, and support their neighbours in order to receive the same treatment in return. This was because of a sense of community in Greek culture; a result of the explosion of city states. In modern day society we generally don't care about community; with the exception of small towns or villages. This lack of togetherness or community pride is the result of the ongoing fight for individual rights. Every person wants the choice to live their life unbounded by an obligation to the state or any organization for that matter. It is commendable that we have reached the point where this right is a reality, unfortunately community was lost along the way.

Unhappiness ages you

The Odyssey
Book 19: Penelope and her Guest

"Odysseus must have feet and hands like his by now--
hardship can age a person overnight." - Penelope

Stress is supposed to be healthy for people, though grief and pain really does age you. Just a neat thought.

2012

"I know we've been forced to make difficult decisions to save our human civilization, but to be human means to care for each other, and civilization means to work together to create a better life. If that's true then there's nothing human and nothing civilized about what we're doing here." (Roland Emerich, 2012)

In the recent film, 2012, the idea of civilization arises as an issue around the point that could be considered as the climax of the movie. This part of the film has the protagonist bring up the question as to what it means to be civilized and human in order to save a very large number of people.

Emerich's view on the definition of civilization isn't at all specific in this quote but the context it is used in helps to impress upon us the significance of the equality of human lives. Civilization being a means to create a better life through human relationships is essentially a pillar of what the definition of being civilized is. Human beings helping each other in order to move forward with discoveries, wealth, and cultural advancement is constantly something that is seen in history when new eras rise and old ones fall. Therefore, Emerich's mention of civilization within his film doesn't at all stray from the truth of what we could consider being civilized human beings.

Loyalty

"No, I am not a god," the long-enduring, great Odysseus returned. Why confuse me with one who never dies? No, I am your father- the Odysseys you wept for all your days, you bore a world of pain, the cruel abuse of men."

-Odysseus (The Odyssey; Book 16, Page 344, Line 209)

With Odysseus now revealing his true identity to his son, he is now closer than ever to completing his homecoming. When he returns home to his wife, slaughters the suitors, and is recognized by the Ithacans, he will receive glory (kleos) and complete his journey as a hero. The theme of delayed identification in the Odyssey has rightfully been discussed as a lesson that the Greeks wanted to teach: boasting and arrogance will only bring harm and conflict to a man. The Odyssey, and more specifically the theme of delayed identification, also shows a contemporary reader just how much deception and treachery occured in Ancient Greece. The suitors, for instance, had no problem with raiding Odysseus'-a local hero-home as soon as they believed him to be gone. Mutiny also took place earlier in the story when Odysseus' shipmates thought he was stealing from them. When Odysseus returns to Ithaca, he must first test the loyalty of the swineherd Eumaeus. The extraordinary part occurs when Odysseus does not even reveal his true identity to his son until he is sure of Telemachus' intentions.

Hate the Sin & Not the Sinner

"Hate the sin and not the sinner is a precept which through easy enough to understand is rarely practiced, and that is why the poison of hatred spreads in the world."

Mohandas K. Gandhi

Ben Harper: Fight for your Mind

"My choice is what I choose to do, and if I'm causing no hard it shouldn't bother you. Your choice is who you choose to be, and if you're causing no harm then you're alright with me. If you don't like my fire then don't come around. 'Cause I'm gonna burn on down."
- Ben Harper, Burn one Down (Fight for your mind)

Philoctetes as seen in Disney

"I trained all those would-be heroes. Odysseus, Perseus, Theseus. A lot of "yeuseus." And every one of those bums let me down flatter than a discus. None of them could go the distance."
~~Phil (Philoctetes)~~Disney- Hercules 1997

Greatness

"Just as I
have come from afar, creating pain for many—
men and women across the good green earth—
so let his name be Odysseus . . .
the Son of Pain, a name he’ll earn in full."

This quote shows the true greatness of the family of Odysseus. They recognize the importance of suffering for greatness, and even go so far as to wish it upon their family, knowing that it will be beneficial in the long run.
The quote emphasizes the importance of suffering. The Greek man knew that suffering was greatness. If a man was not willing to suffer, then he was not a true man and he can never be great or even respected.
This quote also emphasizes that pain and suffering is in his blood, which in my opinion is part of what makes him capable of greatness. It is in his blood and his destiny that he wil suffer, and suffering goes hand in hand with greatness. One cannot exist without the other.
That is what is the problem with our society. We have tried to eliminate the suffering and make everyone feel great. By eliminating the suffering, nobody has tgo do anything to be praised and so, in reality, all praise is meaningless and empty. Everyone is being told that they are special and unque and great in their own way, able to do anything. However, the problem is, is that when people start to expect more and more for less, greatness will disappear, and true greatness is often resented by common people. They see what they are being called, and it bothers them because they will never be able to attain it. They whine about how they never had the opportunities that great people have. "if they were in their situation, they would be great too." They try to defame true greatness in an attempt to make themselves feel special.

importance of pain
pain built into him
destiny

The Way Every Society Should Be

"To the Greeks, the idea of the city did not mainly suggest a geographic location, or monumental architecture, but a community--a group of citizens...These citizens were the city." - Greek Civilization: Hellas and Hellenism, War and the City: The Rise of the Polis

This is one of the main reasons why the Greeks were able to prosper. They formed a group, and every person in that group was part of the whole. In some places today, many people in certain societies are discriminated against whether it be due to sex, religion, etc. The Greeks did not discriminate based on unchangeable qualities and were able to receive input from everyone. When everyone works together, great things can be accomplished. This was also shown by the Greeks when they fought in the Persian wars.

Kleos in the Odyssey

Kleos, in Greek, means renown or honour, it symbolizes what you hear about someone through another person. A Greek hero may accomplish this renown through great deeds, or pains he endures for glory. Once the Greek hero accomplishes this, his own glory earned is passed down to his son to be remembered by also. It is apparent in the Odyssey because Telemachus is worried over what has happened to his father, Odysseus. Telemachus wishes to carry on the accomplishments of his father’s deeds and hopes that his father has not yet died an inglorious death.

Cunning & brute strength is a deadly combination

In the odyssey book Odysseus shows us his knowledge frequently but the one time it really stood out was in the one eyed giants cave. Instead of just using his brute strength when the giant was sleeping to poke out his eye . He told the monster his so called name as "Nobody" and then got the giant drunk in order for him to pass out so they could poke his eye with the burning olive stake. This then leads to the giant screaming in pain/agony and when his Friends hear the screaming come to help, but they ask whats wrong and he replies" Nobody's Killing Me now by fraud and by force!" (book 9.line 445). This later on lead them to escape from the cave and continue there journey.

This shows that he new it would have to be much more than just stab the giants eye well sleeping and new that he would have to come up with a way in order for the giant to go into a heavy sleep therefore allowing them to set up for the jabbing of the olive stake in the eye. Also The name nobody was a huge factor because without it the giants Friends would have found Odysseus and his crew. Then the brute strength came in with the blinding of the giant. That's why cunning and brute strength is a deadly combination.

Alcohol

"...it's the wine that leads me on, the wild wine that sets the wisest man to sing at the top of his lungs, laugh like a fool--it drives the man to dancing...it even tempts him to blurt out stories better never told." - Odyssey, Book 14, Lines 527-530

I found this quote extremely interesting because it speaks to everyone. When we are drunk, it can bring about feelings / thoughts that are deep inside our mind. For example, we may not want to do something, but we do it when we are drunk because we're in a state of mind when our thoughts and feelings are vulnerable. Alcohol prompts Odysseus to tell the whole story with every detail to his old swineherd (he is able to conceal the fact that he is Odysseus though), and it also appears in a few other instances throughout the poem. For example, it makes the Cyclops act like a fool and causes his demise. This quote relates to the fact that alcohol (although we all drink it) is a horrible influence on us, but it can also show people a different side of us in some cases as well.

Ophelia, Act 4

"Let in the maid, that out a maid. Never departed more." (Ophelia, Act 4, Scene 5 p.101 line 56-57)

Poor Ophelia is always being used. She is used to spy on her boyfriend, Hamlet, by her father. And in used as a lover by Hamlet. She is let into his heart as a virgin and they very well know that they cannot marry because she isn't of royalty. And then she is let out of Hamlet's room not being a virgin. She is used by her father and lover.
Poor Ophelia! :(

The Kingdom of the Dead

“But you, Achilles,there’s not a man in the world more blest than you— there never has been, never will be one.Time was, when you were alive, we Argiveshonored you as a god, and now down here, I see,you lord it over the dead in all your power.So grieve no more at dying, great Achilles.”I reassured the ghost, but he broke out, protesting,“No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus!By God, I’d rather slave on earth for another man—some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive—than rule down here over all the breathless dead.”
- (Book 11, 547-558)
Achilles and Odysseus argue because Odysseus is envious of the strength that Achilles won by and although he is now dead he was strong and did something great. However, Achilles is jealous that Odysseus is still alive and breathing

Kleos vs. The Value Of Life

“But you, Achilles,

there’s not a man in the world more blest than you—

there never has been, never will be one.

Time was, when you were alive, we Argives

honored you as a god, and now down here, I see,

you lord it over the dead in all your power.

So grieve no more at dying, great Achilles.”

I reassured the ghost, but he broke out, protesting,

“No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus!

By god, I’d rather slave on earth for another man—

some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive—

than rule down here over all the breathless dead.”

This quote, more than any other shows the change between the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Iliad celebrated kleos, whereas the the Odyssey celebrates life, and Odysseus' wily way of preserving himself rather than going out in a burst of glory.

Although kleos is still clearly very important, the Odyssey acknowledges that there are things more important. It celebrates home, family, and life as opposed to glory, murder, and death.

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is
success." Henry Ford

Restrain Yourself, Heroically

"Listen to me, my comrades, brothers in harship. All ways of dying are hateful to us poor mortals, true, but to die of hunger, to starce to death- that's the worst of all. So up with you now, let's drive off the pick of Helios' sleek herds, slaughter them to the gods who rule the skies up there.l If we ever make it home to Ithaca, native ground, erect at once a glorious temple to the Sungod, line the walls with hoards of dazzling gifts! But if the Sun, inflames for his longhorn cattle, means to wreck our ship and the other gods pitch in- I'd rather die at sea, with one deep gulp of death, than die by inches on this desolate island here!" (Odyssey, book 12, 366)

What Eurylochus says in this quote can be described as mutinous in nature since it goes directly oppositely to what he and the rest of the crew were told not to do. This speech led through a series of events that eventually landed Odysseus in Ogygia, the place where he suffered significantly. Another event that was caused by this was Eurylochus' own death as well as that of the remaining crew. All this happened from a lack of heroic restraint.
The blame however can't be isolated to Eurylochus. Everyone, including Odysseus were feeling the results of days of brute effort and hardships after watching their own die, experiencing the six headed beast Scylla, and the cyclops as well. Eurylochus simply thought that he and the rest of the men deserve some kind of reward for their efforts. The key difference between Odysseus and Eurylochus is heroic restraint. Odysseus never breaks, and his will power is formidable. In the words of Eurylochus: "Your fighting spirit's stronger than ours, your stamina never fails. You must be made of iron head to foot." (Odyssey. Book 12. 302) When he says that, he is already admitting that he's weaker and thus he opens the doors to other possibilities that would lead only to paths of ease. In this case, he accepts death as an option, something that Odysseus wouldn't give into for many many years.
Heroic restraint means to avoid the path of the lazy and weak. It means to follow the path that will lead to kleos in your mind or others. It means to overcome hardships through discipline and effort. It means to be like Odysseus, and not like Eurylochus.

Beliefs are mirrored

I thought of my own pithy little idea.
Let's just go with the general understanding that people with more conservative values tend to have religious ones as well, and people with more liberal values tend to be agnostic/atheist.
LET'S JUST SAY THAT. This is the assumption for my little idea.

Liberals think it's so silly that conservatives put their beliefs into religion -- "that could never happen", where conservatives find it so silly that liberals put their beliefs into politics -- "that could never work".

For example, conservatives are typically practical and don't believe in change, so much. They don't have much of a dream for society, they just like to stay the same and believe what they've always believed. They have faith in the familiar.
Alternately, liberals are typically open-minded to new things and advocate change, so they are dreamers in a political sense. They have hope that there will be a flawless system.

You can't stereotype either wing, I know, but it's interesting that each side has its own "silly" belief system that the other side just cannot seem to understand.

When I say conservatives, I do NOT mean neocons, by the way. Think WASP.

Justified Quote?

"All men need the gods..." - Odyssey, Book 3 Line 55

The Hallmark of The Second-Rater

"Miss Taggart, do you know the hallmark of the seond-rater? It's resentment of another man's achievement. Those touch mediocrities who sit trembling lest someone's work prove greater than their own -- they have no inkling of the lonelineess that comes when you reach the top."

~Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand

This quote reminded me of the difference between the suitors and Odysseus. The suitors resent Odysseus' great power and immense wealth that is maintained in his absence out of respect. Seeing this, they attempt to steal it, thinking that to be great, all it takes is to have the crown placed upon your head. They are weak men who know that they are not great, and so try, instead of becoming great, to eliminate all greatness, as we see in their attempts to kill Telemachus.

Does Suffering really lead to success?

Many say you must suffer in order to really succeed which i believe to a certain extend. The reason for this is because even today you see the ones who have struggled the most and have been through the worst of times usually are the ones that push them self in order to succeed and get away from that horrible lifestyle they have lived. An example is many athletes, most of them grew up in a very poor run down city and they push them self in order to be the best they can be and help provide there family's with a better lifestyle.

In the Book The Odyssey King Odysseus is suffering on the island of Troy for years ,but from that he has learned many things and required many strengths.Also if he had not been through what he has Odysseus would not be as much as a hero then he was in Ithaca since he was fighting for his city.But also if you suffered to much that could be a horrible thing since it will haunt you for the rest of your life and may even cause you to snap. That is why i believe suffering does help you succeed but only to a certain extend.