one couragous man

‭McKenna‬‭1‬
‭Clare McKenna‬
‭Mrs. Reeves‬
‭English | R3‬
‭30 October 2024‬
‭One Courageous Man’s Journey‬
‭The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer which follows Odysseus, one of the‬
‭greatest warriors who helped aid in the Greek’s win in the Trojan War. It especially focuses on‬
‭Odysseus’ ten-year-long journey home, where he and his crew were faced with many fears and‬
‭challenges. Through the use of setting, conflict, and characterization, Homer demonstrates the‬
‭theme that true courage occurs not by the lack of fear, but by the resolve to act in spite of fear.‬
‭Homer uses Odysseus to show courage by demonstrating how he acts bravely despite the‬
‭fear he feels in various settings. Odysseus is skeptical of Kalypso’s offer to help him build a raft‬
‭because “Seaworthy ships / that glory in god’s wind will never cross it” but eventually agrees to‬
‭ride the raft (Od. V. 186-187). Homer uses the setting of a dangerous sea to show Odysseus’‬
‭great fear of venturing into it. He shows the reader that even with fear, Odysseus acts bravely to‬
‭summon his courage, overcome his fear, and continues on. This is demonstrated again in Scheria,‬
‭when Odysseus explains how he and his men were trapped inside the Kyklop’s cave that had a‬
‭“slab of solid rock / to close the cave” (Od. IX. 261-262). Homer develops an environment with‬
‭a dangerous monster and no way out of a small cave, creating a fear of not being able to escape‬
‭for Odysseus. However, Odysseus, being a man of action, uses his courage to strategically come‬
‭up with a plan for their freedom. Despite Odysseus’ apparent fear, he is able to summon the‬
‭courage to act, revealing that Homer believes true courage is only the product of action.‬
‭As Odysseus’ journey toward Ithaka continues, Homer utilizes Odysseus’ many conflicts‬
‭to display courage once again. When Odysseus is in the underworld, he encounters many spirits‬
‭of people he knew, however, he becomes frightened as the spirits start crowding him so‬
‭Odysseus “whirled then made for the ship” (Od. XI. 755). Homer displays Odysseus as having‬
‭an internal conflict of man vs self: he does not know if he should stay in the underworld or leave‬
‭and continue on with his journey. With chaos surrounding him, he decides to move on with his‬
‭journey. Homer reveals Odysseus’ courage by his ability to stay calm, even under great pressure.‬
‭As Odysseus moves on from the underworld, he soon enters Ithaka, but he does not recognize it‬
‭as his home and is angry that his men are not there to help him “while [he is] left forsaken here”‬
‭(Od. XIII. 364-365). Homer displays Odysseus as having an external conflict of man vs nature‬
‭by him being anxious and frightened about navigating the strange land. Odysseus has to trust‬
‭Athena’s advice so that he can conquer his fear and continue on with his journey. Homer uses‬
‭Odysseus to prove that conflict becomes an opportunity for achievement.‬
‭Homer also communicates that Odysseus’ courage benefits not only him but his family as‬
‭well. After Odysseus and Telemakhos reunite, Telemakhos seeks to have Odysseus', his father’s,‬
‭approval, so he says “even when danger comes I think you’ll find / courage in me” (Od. XVI.‬
‭370-371). Through Homer’s use of characterization of Telemakhos, one can see that Telemakhos‬
‭wants to be a courageous man like his father. This reveals that Odysseus’ courage has inspired‬
‭his son to be courageous in his life even in the face of fear, thus benefiting his life. Later,‬
‭Odysseus reveals himself to his wife, Penelope, who is doubtful because she has “armed [her]self‬
‭/ against the frauds of men” (Od. XXIII. 242-243). Homer’s use of characterization suggests that‬
‭Penelope has lost trust in men. Without Odysseus, she had no protection from the suitors and her‬
‭sense of security was gone. Through courageous Odysseus achieving nostos, Penelope is able to‬
‭overcome her fears and feel safe. Penelope and Telemakhos had better lives because Odysseus‬
‭found the courage to overcome his fears and return home.‬
‭Homer’s story of Odysseus’ long journey home is filled with dangers and disasters that‬
‭create fears that he must overcome. Through the use of setting, conflict, and characterization,‬
‭Homer demonstrates Odysseus’ true courage and his determination to overcome his fears.‬
‭Homer’s story tells of extreme challenges, but most of all it is a story of a man who faced those‬
‭challenges with courage.‬

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‭McKenna‬‭1‬

‭30 October 2024‬

‭One Courageous Man’s Journey‬

‭Odysseus to prove that conflict becomes an opportunity for achievement.‬

‭found the courage to overcome his fears and return home.‬

‭challenges with courage.‬

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