`` The Odyssey `` The Epic Story Of The Hero Journey

Heroes, as depicted in literature, often undertake the most difficult tasks and place themselves in mortal danger in order to bring back, for themselves and their societies, both knowledge and treasure. Their stories follow what Joseph Campbell calls the â€Å"Hero Journey.† The Odyssey, as the epic story of the hero Odysseus, follows closely the complete cycle of Joseph Campbell’s Hero Journey, both as a physical and as a psychological undertaking. The Hero Journey, used as a framework for both Odysseus’ physical and mental journeys, serves to bind the two together. Each of Odysseus’s physical difficulties can be viewed as a metaphor for a psychological hardship that he must overcome, and by overcoming these hardships, Odysseus†¦show more content†¦Odysseus’ journey begins twenty years prior to the start of The Odyssey. At home, he is called upon by Agamemnon to join the Atrides in a war to conquer Troy and return Helen to her rightful hus band, Menelaus. For one month Odysseus refuses to leave his safe home on Ithaca. We are not told of the rationale behind his final decision to join the war; however, we must assume that he believes he will be successful, returning home with many spoils of war. His decision to leave Ithaca 2 cannot be merely an external one: he is a young king, and while he rules his land with great strength, he is inexperienced (he does not wish to go off to battle (Book 24, ll. 126-128)). In part, his reasons for initiating his journey must include the experience and maturity he will gain fighting the Trojans. We can take the initial threshold Odysseus must cross to be the Trojan War itself. The war represents a first step for Odysseus—after all, while it is his trickery that eventually wins the war for the Achaeans (it was his idea to build the large wooden horse in which the Achean army hid and from which they successfully sacked Troy (Book 4, ll. 304-306)), we are introduced to Odysseus as â€Å"the man of twists and turns† (Book 1, l. 1). Cunning is a trait he already possesses: It cannot be the object of his journey; it merely starts him off. Yet he must initially survive the battle, and his survival proves hisShow MoreRelatedSundiata Essay971 Words   |  4 Pages Epics Sundiata was written in Africa. Gilgamesh was the oldest one written. Other works include the Iliad and the Odyssey, which were written by the blind prophet Homer. What do all these works of literature have in common with each other? The similarity that all these works of literature have is that they are all epics. What does this mean? What is an epic? The definition of an epic is that an epic is a long, narrative poem with a hero that goes on a quest. What is the hero? Well, the characteristicsRead MoreOdysseus As The Epic Hero In Homers Odyssey1019 Words   |  5 PagesOdysseus as the Epic Hero in Homer’s The Odyssey A style of work often explored in Greek literature is that of the epic. An expansive poem of a wide scope centered on and regarding the wondrous deeds of the main, heroic figure, on whose actions depend the fate of a nation. The definition of an epic can be used to describe The Odyssey by Homer. In The Odyssey we are introduced to our main character, Odysseus, the former king of Ithaca and a Trojan war hero who has been trapped on an Island by theRead MoreThe Role Of Changing Perception Of The Hero1137 Words   |  5 Pagesthe changing perception of the hero Who is a hero? How does the definition of a hero change over time? 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For example, the story of Gilgamesh is considered an epic because it is centeredRead MoreThe Epic Of An Epic886 Words   |  4 PagesIn Literature, an epic is defined as a long poem, in which there are one or more heroes. The hero in the epics typically possesses god-like powers that allows for them to stand out in the midst of peculiar paranormal. As stated in unit one textual handout, the hero in an epic more than likely will have the fate of the entire nation, or human race depending on them to save their life or their offspring’s lives. An epic usually takes place in a vast geog raphic setting covering multiple cultures. ThereRead MoreOdyssey vs. Finding Nemo859 Words   |  4 PagesEpics Over the Years The Odyssey, a historical epic, was the first written of its kind. Since then, many stories’ plots have focused on the characteristics that made it an epic, such as Finding Nemo. Although the Odyssey was written many years ago, Finding Nemo’s qualities are along the same lines. Both stories contain characters on a journey in search of something of significance. Monsters threaten the quest home, helpers assist the heroes on their journeys, the heroes are glorified inRead MoreEssay An Epic Odyssey1544 Words   |  7 PagesThe stories of epic heroes remain important to many cultures, the Greeks in particular. These tales of heroic men not only entertain, but they teach people about morals and values that most epic heroes exemplify, such as intelligence and bravery. To be an epic hero, characters are usually highly born, favored by the gods, perform great deeds, and have flaws. These tales are told in heightened style and occur in grand settings. Odysseus, the Ki ng of Ithaca, meets these traits and is considered a primeRead MoreIn What Ways Is the Telemachy Important to the Odyssey as a Whole1553 Words   |  7 PagesIn what ways is the Telemachy important to the Odyssey as a whole? What would the poem lose if these first four books were removed? Homer’s the Odyssey is the epic tale of Odysseus’ return home from the battle of Troy, yet we do not truly get to the hero in action until after we are drawn through the story of his son life in the absence of his father in Ithaka. In the first four books, we see how Telemachos, Odysseus’ son, matures and through his eyes Homer shows us the unrest and troubles ofRead MoreOdysseus Defines an Epic Hero Essay950 Words   |  4 PagesOdysseus Defines an Epic Hero On a website posted by teachers at Harker Heights High, an epic hero is someone who embodies the values of a particular society. He is superhuman. An epic hero is braver, stronger, and cleverer than an ordinary person. He is on a quest for something of great value to him or his people. The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are usually uglier, more evil, and more cunning than anyone we know in ordinary life. The epic hero is often of mixed divineRead MoreAnalysis Of The Epic Heroes 1270 Words   |  6 PagesLuck of the Hero (An analysis of epic heroes) Often when reading literature, the reader can’t help but think that no character could have such qualities as they are portrayed in the story. A classic example of this are the epic heroes that help facilitate the history of important cultures. The epic is a long piece of poetry describing a hero’s journey to a better self and complete a mission. These heroes are often extremely brave and smart, which can leave the audience doubting any historical accuracy

The Growing Issue Of Suicide - 904 Words

Lauren LaShell Chickadantz English 9 October 12 The Growing Issue: Suicide Suicide is a very large and growing problem in American teens. It is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents, following accidental injury and coming before homicide, it affects not only the teens that commit suicide but everyone around them, and it can be solved by learning how to deal with the people who are having suicidal. Suicide is the act or instance of taking ones life voluntarily and intentionally. Suicide may seem like something that doesn t happen often, but in reality it is a major issue that affects many people, and something needs to be done about it! Suicide is the second leading cause of death from teens ranging from 13-19. Suicide is so commonly thought of by teens that nearly 1 in 5 high school teens seriously think about committing suicide(Hosansky). Three million high school students will think about suicide in just this year alone.(Hosanksky). Nearly 5,000 teens will commit suicide this year and 250,000 will make drastic attempts but fail to succeed(Mantel). More teens in America will take their own lives than heart diseases, AIDS,birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, chronic lung disease, or cancer— all together(Honasky). It is such a big problem in society and the numbers keep rising. In just 10 years the numbers have risen from 2,800 deaths a year to reaching 5,000 deaths by suicide every year(Mantel). The amount of suicide in teens every year hasShow MoreRelatedTeen Suicide : A Growing Issue2095 Words   |  9 PagesTeen suicide is a growing issue in the United States. In order to prevent it, we need a better understanding on it. What is teen suicide? Teen suicide which is better known as youth suicide is when a young person, generally categorized as someone below age 24, deliberately end their own life. 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On the other hand, there are many types of cause and effectRead MoreEssay about Bullied to death: Relationship between Bullying and Suicide1087 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.† Growing up many children heard this idiomatic expression that implies that physical actions can hurt you such as being hit with a stick or rock, but words or name calling can’t hurt you and you should just ignore it. Bullying has emerged in the 21st century as an important public health issu e and there have been incidents where teasing and bullying have turned deadly (Burgess, A., Garbarino, C., Carlson, M. I., 2006). ChildrenRead MoreAnalysis Of Frank Bruni s Today s Exhausted Superkids 863 Words   |  4 PagesBruni refers to statistics of scientific studies of scientist when discussing the growing mental issues of teens. Flags are being raised not only because of suicide rates, but because sleep is beginning to have an effect on the overall body. 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Dave Holmes / Dream Job Winner Essay Example For Students

Dave Holmes / Dream Job Winner Essay DARE TO DREAM David Holmes competed for a chance to win Dream Job, a show where contestants compete each week against one another through a variety of challenges. On November 16, 2004, David Holmes won the contest and received a one-year contract with ESPN. He always dreamed of becoming a SportsCenter anchor and he never gave up on his dream. David Holmes is working today for one of the fastest growing networks in television. David Holmes had to take trivia tests and write essays for the audition of . After a callback for another audition, David Holmes was invited to try out in New York City. He later found out that he was selected as a Wendy’s Wild Card, which allowed him to be on the show. He became with several of the contestants on the show, and every Thursday night Holmes would practice writing, announcing, and conducting interviews for each week’s show. David Holmes is under contract with ESPN for one year. He will be hosting television shows and anchoring SportsCenter on ESPN and ESPN News. He has wanted to do this since he was six years old and agrees that this is his â€Å"Dream Job. † David Holmes tells people that â€Å"Dreams can and will come true with . You have to go out and get it.† HOW TO FIND A SUMMER OR PAR-TIME JOB The first step to get a job is deciding on the kind of job you want. You need to look at the type of job, the location, the hours and the pay. The second step is to ask yourself â€Å"What do you have to offer an employer?† â€Å"What kind of skills do you have?† Then you develop a resume and talk to your family members and ask them if they have any contacts at your ideal job’s company. Next you have to read the newspaper or go on the internet. After you see a job you are interested in, apply for the jobs. Make sure you are familiar with job applications and have all the information you need. The last step is interviewing for the jobs. Develop answers to interview questions, think of a few questions you could ask, and dress conservatively. There are many places where you could look for a job. Local stores often need help, as well as stores in the mall. You could go to hotels and resorts or to tourist attractions.

Naughts and Crosses Essay Example

Naughts and Crosses Essay Tic Tac Toe Tic-Tac-Toe is a game in which you’re faced with a simple objective. It’s a game which has limited advancements and once it becomes familiar, the game is likely to end in a draw. No winner or loser! In a similar way, this novel is an illustration of the tic-tac-toe board as a society, in which your perceptions about people are dominated by prejudice and discrimination. At a glance, this novel may seem like a narration which cannot be correlated with an adolescent’s life but it impacts the reader’s perceptions on the prejudice which our society masks. Adolescence is a time when a person’s morals and opinions are formed and this novel can influence upon your judgements dramatically. Therefore it’s beyond question whether this book is suitable for year 10 students and the ReadPlus website. The relevance of this novel can also be justified through the valid themes and issues portrayed. Blackman has also conveyed a range of audacious personalities through the deep values and attitudes they embrace. The daring characterisation, the intense settings and the suspenseful turn of events captivates audience interest throughout the novel. Thus I believe that this novel is a suitable read for all adolescents. In today’s society, themes and issues showcased through various forms of media have an immense impact upon teenagers; however this novel has managed to influence teenagers in a positive way. To begin with, the novel focuses on a range of sensitive topics such as power and prejudice in a minimalistic yet powerful way. This is clearly illustrated when Sephy says, â€Å"Like, you’re in one place and I’m in another, with a huge, great wall between us. † (P. 26) This dialogue by Sephy highlights the racial wall which segregates their society. We will write a custom essay sample on Naughts and Crosses specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Naughts and Crosses specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Naughts and Crosses specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In addition, alternate history has also been used to enhance audience interest. This novel has reversed the race-relations which occurred in history. Therefore, â€Å"Noughts and Crosses† can be separated from all other fictions which relate to prejudice and racism. Furthermore, Blackman has also managed to incorporate issues which are relevant to adolescents. These include teenage pregnancy and alcohol addiction. At present, these themes and issues are of significance to the intended audience; therefore I believe that this novel is an inspiring read for all adolescents. Audience engagement is ensured through the wide array of values and attitudes portrayed throughout the novel. The novel displays the racist and superior values of the Crosses through the poor treatment of the noughts. Their elite attitudes were illustrated during Callum’s first day of school. Together all the Crosses recited, â€Å"No blankers in our school! † (P. 54)This quotation highlights the racial hierarchy present in their society which is comparable to the white-dominant history we held. In contrast, the noughts display the values of freedom and equality. This is illustrated through the formation of the rebellion group which is fighting for justice. Lastly, the two protagonists show individuality and conformity through their actions, values and attitudes. For instance, Callum values equality and freedom he pursues this through his involvement in the rebellion group whereas Sephy is going against her society’s beliefs and practices through her association with someone of an inferior class. The values and attitudes portrayed in this novel are relatable to the teenage audience as social factors such as peer pressure and popularity usually influence our decisions. Hence, this novel is showcasing positive morals appropriate for year 10 students. The effective display of characterisation, setting and events will demand audience attention. The author’s descriptions are brief and the author tends to be direct rather than elaborative. The following narration is an example, â€Å"They were real good friends, no barriers, and no boundaries. †(P. ) This quote illustrates her brief and simple language usage. Nonetheless, her direct approach doesn’t compromise detail, especially when it comes to the setting. The entire plot is reliant upon the setting. The dystopian society which the author has created is totalitarian. This is showcased in the novel through the dictatorship style of government the society abides by. In a nutshell, the story describes the friend ship between the two protagonists. The events in the novel aspire to represent a deep relationship which is challenged by the racial divisions within the society. Consequently, this novel is relevant to the intended audience. On reflection, it’s undeniable that the book, â€Å"Noughts and Crosses† is a suitable read for all year 10 students. The novel will modify any stereotypical views which you may have held on racism as it reverses the two variables around. We all believe that justice and peace are the key to a society but are we still locked out within the brick walls of discrimination and prejudice or is that just letting our past define the present?