“The world is full of wonders, but nothing is more wonderful than man.” This quote shows that the Greeks valued themselves, but also their intellect in which they know that the world about them is great. The Greeks valued beauty, art, intellect, honor, and truth; the list is long. Some of these values are shown through the story of the Odyssey, which tells of the adventures of Odysseus and his family. In order to understand Greek values and how they are portrayed in Greek society, one must examine how some values are portrayed in the Odyssey: hospitality, intellect, and beauty. In Greek society, hospitality is really important. The Greeks strongly believed in their gods, and they always wanted to be prepared if one came knocking at…show more content…
An example of a lack of hospitality was when Odysseus and his men came upon the Kyklopes’, and the one-eyed monsters treated them terribly. On first sight they tried to kill Odysseus and all his men. The Greeks also valued intelligence and intellect. Although there were certain areas in Greece that valued it more than others, such as Athens, the Greeks were generally an intelligent race of people. An example from the Odyssey is when Penelope (Odysseus’ wife, Telemakhos’ mother) tells her suitors that she needs to finish weaving a shroud for an old man before she marries. She proceeds to weave on her loom every day, but unravels it during the night, so that she will never have to marry. Another example is when Odysseus finally arrives home, and he disguises himself so he can question people about his home and the situation, all without being noticed. In this way he gained information without revealing himself. Another important Greek value is beauty. The Greeks strived for the idealistic form in everything they did: art, literature, beauty, and even in the sciences. The Odyssey portrays Penelope to be an older woman, but a beautiful older woman, having a hall full of suitors wanting to marry her. Another example is when Athena changes Odysseus’ appearance in certain situations, usually making Odysseus look young and less hardened by all his traveling. A more detailed description of this is when Odysseus
In Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," the main character Odysseus is rescued by the Greek gods from his imprisonment after the fall of Troy and embarks on a treacherous journey to return to his homeland. During the journey, he faces many obstacles that challenge his faith and loyalty. "The Odyssey" explores several virtues and moral values that eventually lead to Odysseus's successful return.
A central virtuous theme in "The Odyssey" is loyalty. Odysseus's devotion to his family, his country and his god is unwavering, according to Victoria Allen's "A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of Homer's The Odyssey." Along his journey, Odysseus has the opportunity to be unfaithful to his wife, renounce his country and ignore his beliefs. Even though he sometimes falters and some of his decisions have negative consequences, his allegiance, love for his wife and desire to return home never wanes.
Self-Control
Odysseus has strong moral values when it comes to self-control and sexual temptation. Even though the beautiful Sirens attempt to draw him off course, he warns his men of their seductive ways, attaches himself to his ship so he won't stray and plugs his crew's ears with wax. He also shows self-control when he holds back and doesn't kill Polyphemus, the cyclops. He waits for the right opportunity so he can gouge his eye out and escape. Even though some of his men -- those with poor riding skills -- are killed by Polyphemus, his self-control keeps his whole crew from being slaughtered.
"The Odyssey" is a story of perseverance. Despite the many obstacles and challenges he faces, Odysseus never gives up. Even when Odysseus doesn't know how to escape the cyclops, he makes a noble attempt to survive by riding under the bellies of sheep, according to "Scope" magazine. Odysseus's perseverance isn't based on physical strength alone. He uses his intelligence to outwit those who try to ensnare him. From the very beginning of the poem, Odysseus shows his determination by escaping the grips of Calypso.
Compassion
Even though Odysseus is forced to deal with opposing forces using violence and aggression, he never loses his soft side. He proves his virtue when he allows compassion to rule his heart. For example, when Demodocus plays the harp and sings of the Trojan War, Odysseus cries. Odysseus remembers his fellow comrades who died in war and mourns their loss. His imprisonment, years away from home and oppressive confrontations aren't able to destroy his empathetic and compassionate tendencies.
The Odyssey begins as Odysseus leaves an island he was trapped on for 10 years to go back to his hometown, Ithaca. However, we do not know if he will make it back, as it is highly probable that he will die. The Odyssey is a Greek Epic involving some of their ancient Gods. On the way to Ithaca Odysseus faces many challenges while his wife deals with challenges of her own at their house. Suitors have taken over Odysseus’s home, and are all trying to marry Odysseus’s wife, Penelope. However, some characters in the epic display many great qualities. In The Odyssey by Homer, loyalty, courage, and trickery are displayed throughout the book in a positive manner, showing that they are the Greek’s cultural values. First, loyalty is shown as a cultural…show more content…
Starting with, Odysseus getting the Cyclops drunk. Right when the folly Cyclops was about to attack him, Odysseus,”Hands his guest a gift to warm his heart. Our soil yields the Cyclops powerful, full-bodied wine.” (9. 400-401) The Cyclops is offered wine from Odysseus and his crew, and the Cyclops takes it and drinks it. This is an example of trickery because Odysseus tricked the Cyclops into doing something stupid so that he could get a strategic advantage. Next, trickery is shown as a cultural value when Odysseus tricks Circe into freeing his friend. Odysseus makes a deal with the lolling Circe that says,”Mount your bed? Not for all the world. Not until you consent to swear, goddess, a binding oath. You’ll never plot some new intrique to harm me!” (10. 380-382) Circe had captured one of Odysseus’s crew members, by forcing him to take a drug that turns him into an animal. However, Odysseus found a way past this drug, which caused Circe to adore him. Then, Odysseus cadged for a deal to get the crew member back. Trickery is shown here because he put Circe in a position where she would have to free his crew member, and he used a trick to get to that point where he could make the deal. Finally, trickery is shown as a cultural value in the Odyssey because Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, tricks the suitors into thinking she will marry them, when she won’t. Penelope ensnares them by, “Building each man’s hopes, - dangling promises, dropping hints to each - but all the while with something else in mind.” (2. 97-100) Penelope’s trick is to lead the men on to think she will marry them, but she never does. This is an example of trickery because she does something to fool the men into giving her what she wants without being bothered. In conclusion,