The Odyssey: Books Three to Four

In order to be civilized, a culture or an individual must be brought out of a barbaric state, and adapt to a more simple social and private life. In The Odyssey Telemachus develops the understanding that in order to have a civilization a heiarchy must be in place, and must be understood by all individuals. For instance, when a person of authority and power such as Telemachus would call an assembly it was a custom that gifts were given at the assembly as a way of controlling. When gifts are given there is often the subconscious sence of obligation and debt to that person. The act of giving gifts could be used to ensure an indiviauls loyalty to another. This remains to be true today when guests feel an obligation to bring a hostess gift when attending a party.

A hero can be defined by many different traits. In The Odyssey, Telemachus characterizes a hero as someone who possess' courage, and is able to obtain heroic glory upon their nostos (return home.) A hero, in Telemachus' eyes, is one who stands out from the crowd for their actions of excellence, whether those actions be through a journey, bravery, or strength.

I personally think that it is not only possible, but also very common to be over civilized. Over civilized is the point of adapting to such a degree that a society, or an individual looses sight of what was important to them, or what their goals were in the first place. Today, in the twenty-first century, North American counties are very close to, if not already have become, over civilized. With the advancments in technology, the speed of communication, and effortless accessibility to practically whatever you want, North American countries have become, by far, the most civilized continent in the world. People generally now see their posessions, and the materialistic factors of their life among the most crucial things in their survival. However, in many of the countries in Europe they live a much more "down to earth" lifestyle.