In The Odyssey, Odysseus and Telemachus embark on parallel heroic journeys to unite their family. The Online Oxford Dictionary provides the following definition of a hero: "A person, typically a man, who is admired ... home despite his youth. While they journey, the two protagonists receive aid from the gods and goddesses. Each receives aid at the beginning of their journeys, Odysseus from Calypso in helping him to escape and Telemachus from Athena in helping him to embark on his journey as helpmate and legacy. Despite ... their moments of weakness, Odysseus and Telemachus both demonstrate pa...

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... these misfortunes they both learned to become better men and together were able to regain control of their estate in their homeland of Ithaca. During his journeys Odysseus often makes the mistake of staying to boast to his enemies but learns that doing so gives his opposition a chance to seek retribution against him ... have ill effects and uses this knowledge on the island of the Phaecians and Ithaca when he does not openly boast of his deeds and his journeys. Odysseus also learns to pay close attention to the instructions of the gods, or he might have to face a terrible price. When Od...

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... they both lead to the same finale, and are both stepping stones towards wisdom, manhood, and scholarship. Through these voyages certain parallels are drawn concerning Odysseus and Telemachos: the physical journeys, the mental preparations they have produced, and what their emotional status has resulted in. These all partake a immense role in the way the story is set up, stemming from the ... purpose of each character's journey, their personal challenges, and the difficulties that surround them. The story commences when Odysseus, a valiant hero of the Trojan war, journeys back home. Toge...

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... of fate. This was the theme of both books. Each followed the path of a hero forced through suffering at the hands of the gods. And both books recorded these legendary journeys in the form of epic poetry. Nonetheless, the books were very different at certain points, primarily in what they emphasize. The most notable difference was their storylines, which were drastically ... of unchangeable laws, one of which is the mortality of human beings.  This can be seen by the fact that character after character dies during war.  In Virgil's Aeneid, Aeneas journeys to Hades to visit his fath...

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... been analyzed. Instead all I could see were question marks." (Bell 243) Esther is emerging from the underworld, but she is still unsure of herself. It will take other quests and journeys to cure this problem. Biff, on the other hand, realizes he must live for himself and he does not have to be "well-liked." He is going back west, where ... was. I know who I am kid." (Death 238). I believe that there is enlightenment for both of these main characters, Esther and Biff. But how long does this last? There are other journeys and quests that these characters will embark upon later in their li...

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... Telemachus. In order to achieve his objective Odysseus relies on his wit more than his strength. Athena the goddess of wisdom admires Odysseus" cleverness and stands by him throughout his journeys. In the mythical world the Gods" judgment prevails and they possess ultimate control over the lives of mortals. Despite Odysseus's great cunning and astute qualities he is still subject to ... Gods as definite and absolute in the mortal world. For the majority of the poem Odysseus is a stranger. He is constantly an outsider to the societies he encounters on his journeys. Disguise is the promin...

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In, "The Odyssey," Homer includes many female characters, which orchestrate key roles in the epic poem. Athena had Odysseus' back throughout his journeys and offers him assistance when he needs it most; Calypso and the Sirens attempt to taunt and entrap Odysseus and distract him from his goals; and Penelope is a clever and ... ...

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... daughters, avenging wives and furious children. Every aspect of it-bloodshed, bodily urges and impulsivity-fits the mold of classic Poseidon qualities. Even much later in the text, as Odysseus journeys to the underworld, he learns from Agamemnon how "Aegisthus hatched [his] doom and [his] destruction, so [he] died-a wretched, ignominious death" (11: 462,466). Agamemnon's fate serves as ... ...

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... can be seen when he leads his troops during the Trojan War. As it says in the book, " Tell me, Muse, of the man of ways, who has driven far journeys, after he had sacked Troy's sacred citadel " (Book 1 lines 1-3). Odysseus had the courage and bravery to go off to war for his country. At times Troy was considered to be ... ...

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... than death. Linked with his honor is his feeling of justice. For Theseus, justice is important because the gods will punish injustices and although he kills many people in his journeys and upsets many customs, he never does so without reason. Finally, what solidifies Theseus as a man born to be king is his view of moira - he does not view his ... ...

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Throughout The Divine Comedy, Dante journeys through the Inferno with his guide Virgil. The great poet uses various characters, which he draws from ancient mythology and Greek stories, throughout his encounters to represent abstract ideas or ... ...

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... is very good. According to Edwin Burgess article Odysseus in Vietnam "Odysseus shows many post war stress symptoms, just as a real soldier would." After the Trojan War and his long journeys, when Odysseus returns home he is not able to trust or be close to anyone. He has emotional outbursts by using violence to solve his problems. Also signs of criminal ... ...

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... had given him very closely; entering and leaving Hades without misfortune and using wax in the ears of his crew to pass the Sirens. Odysseus becomes a better man through his journeys and is able to return to his homeland to restore his name. Throughout his wanderings for home, Odysseus becomes a humbler and more respectful man. The once boastful man learns that ... ...

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... to Odysseus" encounter with Tiresias in the underworld. They both mention homecomings and have references to cows. Tiresias and the blind prophet relate cows to the successful completion of their journeys. In homer's epic, not causing harm to Helios" cattle will bring Odysseus home safely. In the movie, cow just marks the end of the story when the sheriff can't chase ... ...

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... at last, let us dispatch the guide and giant-killer Hermes down to Ogygia Island, down to announce at once to the nymph with lovely braids our fixed decree: Odysseus journeys home- the exile must return"(Book 1:99). Athena watches out for Odysses. She tells Zeus, "Father, son of Cronus, our high and mighty king, surely he goes down to a death ... ...

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... romantic relationship established. Through Nausicaa, Homer explores a relationship which hints of potential for expansion but which does not come to fruition. Odysseus experiences three relationships with female figures as he journeys home to Ithaca, all three women as beautiful as goddesses. They are each attracted to him to varying degrees, but he becomes less interested in each relationship as time progresses ... ...

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... wax in the ears of his crew to pass the Sirens. Odysseus recovers from loss of civility and is resurrected as an enlightened man when he arrives home from his journeys. Due to this he is able to return to his homeland to regain his kingdom. After spending years with the goddess Calypso, Odysseus is offered a choice of either living on ... ...

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... as Mercuralia. Hermes was very helpful towards Cupid in bringing him and Psyche to Mt. Olympus to get married. To conclude, Hermes was a very mysterious god who went through many journeys in his life, good and bad. In my opinion I believe Hermes was very interesting and I found it easy to find information about him. "Here Jove with Hermes came; but in ... ...

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... , as well as a more complex insight into Odysseus and his homecoming. Because Athene is kindhearted, she takes it upon herself to aide Odysseus and his son, Telemachus, along their separate journeys, in order to better their lives and help regain their kingdom, as well as reunite themselves as a family. She does this by instructing them and guiding them throughout many misadventures ... ...

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... our life such as debt, divorce and death. Although our trials may not be as physical as some of Odysseus's we still have to face many trying obstacles during the journeys of our lives. In my opinion Odysseus was a great man during his time. He showed great bravery and the ability to do rational reasoning. During the times that he lived ... ...

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... any other people that do or done things like them. But back then a hero was some one that completed a great task like Jason or some one that went on extraordinary journeys. One myth that interested me the most was the one that tells way we have seasons. Demeter was the goddess of weather so when she was angry she caused things ... ...

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... , traced the images of heroes throughout the world of vast mythologies, legends religious texts and literature examining their various "faces". Throughout his quest he discovered not only characteristics of their journeys but also their heroic conduct. He concluded that "whether presented in the vast, almost oceanic images of the Orient, in the vigorous narratives of the Greeks, or in the majestic ... ...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate