The definition of a hero is not someone who has supernatural powers. A hero is someone who is brave enough to stand up for himself and others. A hero can be a person who has struggled immensely, yet use his experiences to turn his life around. A hero constitutes the act of perseverance. He has courage to stand bright even in the darkest of places.
It is about survival. The ability to endure suffering is in fact a skill. Odysseus exemplifies this in his journey back home. He has been separated from his wife and son for many years and it his righteous duty is to go back to where he belongs. Odysseus encounters various obstacles that can either weaken or destroy him. Rather, he learns to take control of his surroundings and thus progresses himself.
In Book XII, Odysseus displays the importance of leadership. He says to his crew, "Dear friends, surely we are not unlearned in evils. This is no greater evil now that it was when the Cyclops had us cooped in his hollow cave by force and violence, but even there, by my courage and counsel and my intelligence, we escaped away. I think that all this will be remembered some day too. Then do as I say, let us all be won over" (XII, 208-13). He beautifully he executes the nobility of courage and intelligence to his fellow crew members. They've experienced pain before, so what makes this situation any different? The idea is to never stop and think that it is hard and impossible. A hero must be strong and gain willpower.
The life of a hero does not always end in success, however, it is not the destination that is most important, but the journey. Odysseus has embarked on a treacherous journey, but also, on a spiritual quest of some sort. A hero represents growth, not perfection. In conclusion, Odysseus does in fact meet my standards for heroism. He is a flawed human being, but these flaws make him imperfectly perfect. And in a way, he is successful. He returns home and is reunited with the love of his life. He took the hard path, but eventually it lead him to exactly where he wanted to be.
1st Essay REVISION
The Odyssey is an epic poem depicting the heroic journey of a man called Odysseus. It is an adventure filled with an array of physical and emotional suffering. However, ultimately, the story describes a tale of endurance and spiritual growth. There is a spectrum of behavioral codes of conduct that Odysseus and the other characters must succumb to in oder to meet societal norms. I have observed two particular codes of behavior that, I believe, are the most prominent to the themes of the story. They are the hospitality and loyalty.
Hospitality is essential because the poem is based in ancient Greece. The people of that time felt it was incredibly important to be kind towards strangers, especially those traveling. They'd welcome them into their homes providing food, shelter, protection, and entertainment. In exchange, they'd hope to receive information from the traveling man. The traveller would thus reveal to them his identity, his whereabouts, and the meaning of his journey. Back in those times, information was valuable because it was so hard to attain. Unlike today, with our abundance of technology, we can access information in record time. People needed to rely on other people to physically deliver knowledge and news.
In Book VIII, Odysseus's stay at the Phaiakians' place of assembly illustrates the code of hospitality. Here, Alkinoos makes the following statement, "Here is this stranger. I do not know who he is, came wandering suppliant here to my house from the eastern to the western people. He urges conveyance, and entreats us for its assurance. So let us, as we have done before, hasten to convey him, for neither has any man who has come to my house stayed here grieving a long time for the matter of convoy" (VIII, 28-33). He then goes on to say, "I say this to the young men, but also, you other sceptered kings, come to me in my splendid dwelling, so we can entertain the stranger guest in our place" (VIII, 40-42). Alkinoos is following the code of hospitality. He has welcomed Odysseus into his palace and will provide him a great feast and celebration. In return, it is Odysseus's duty to return the favor by providing his information.
The next code of behavior is that of loyalty. This is extremely relevant to Odysseus because it is his wife, Penelope, whose sexual faith he depends on. Even though Odysseus has involved himself in various love affairs, the opposite is expected of his wife. Women had to respect their husbands and never go to bed with anyone else. When he returns home to Ithaka, he is overwhelmed with the abundance of suitors that are trying to win over his wife. However, Penelope never once deceived Odysseus. In fact, she embraced her cunning personality to keep the suitors astray. Her idea of weaving and undoing the loom to delay remarriage kept her in the safe zone until Odysseus came and fought them off. "Therefore in the daytime she would weave at her great loom, but in the night have torches set by, and undo it. So for three years she was secret in her design..." (II, 104-06). This form of loyalty was significant to the perseverance of their love.
In conclusion, these two codes of conduct struck me the most because of its strong value even in modern times. Although, hospitality is not as great as it once was, we still depend on the kindness and generosity of others. The idea of loyalty will always be something people will hold in high regards. We trust people because we want to love them and give ourselves to them. It is important that we have people in our lives we can depend on because the world can be a cruel place. This was true for Odysseus and it still stands for today.
3rd Essay REVISION
In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is visibly portrayed as a devious character. His cruel intentions are manifested at the start of the play. He has set out to betray Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello in order to confirm his personal desires. He masters the skill of language and poses himself as a true friend to each of these men. He thus causes them to believe that his guidance and perseverance are in good spirits. But the truth is far from that. His course of actions display the devil within him.
He first betrays Roderigo by taking advantage of his sorrows. His love for Desdemona is unjustified due to the marriage between her and Othello. The battle of love has been lost and Roderigo becomes a rather pathetic character, basking in his own pity. But Iago steps in, and assures Roderigo that all is not lost. He persuades Roderigo to give him money in exchange to win Desdemona's heart. Iago says,"Put money in thy purse. / It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor" (1.3 335). The statement implicates Iago's forewarning of the end of Desdemona and Othello's marriage. This reassures Roderigo, therefore developing a trustworthy friendship with Iago. Iago, evidently is manipulating Roderigo's vulnerable state to feed his greedy appetite.
Iago is envious of Cassio's position as Othello's lieutenant. He feels he is more adequate for the title and thus seeks a spiteful revenge on Cassio. Reputation plays a major role in Othello, and Iago knows just the way to bring Cassio down. He turns to the liquid devil, alcohol, to get the unwilling, Cassio, drunk; therefore leading to an altercation with Montano. This ultimately leads to his demotion as lieutenant. Iago is satisfied with his sinister plan to attain power.
Fundamentally, Iago is interested in Othello's deterioration. He's been jealous of his marriage to Desdemona all along. And fiercely yearns for the power and glory Othello possesses. He begins to break down Othello by convincing him that Cassio has been having an affair with Desdemona. He presents the handkerchief, from which he had Emilia steal, to prove as evidence to the affair. It is an evil trick that Othello unfortunately falls for. Although, Desdemona is innocent of infidelity, Othello strangles her to death, and thus kills himself.
Iago ultimately arrives at success, however, his wife, Emilia, brings him out into the light. He has finally been unveiled as a villain and is subsequently arrested for wreaking such grand chaos. Iago's last words are, "Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak a word" (5.2 309-10). Iago's motives for what he's done are never noted. He clearly was a devil in disguise.
3rd Essay
Iago portrays a rather interesting character. As a friend, he stands tall with loyalty, generosity, and guidance. But there is another side to Iago. A dark and evil one that leaves readers guessing upon his next move. The story never gives us real back round information towards Iago's motives. The lack of reason adds to his mystifying persona. He is a villain! And he is on a mission to destroy anyone who comes in his way. I describe Iago as some sort of evil puppeteer. He has mastered the art and skill of language and uses it to manipulate his peers. His ability to easily gain trust from these men make him untrustworthy in a sense. He is a walking oxymoron. It intrigues me to watch the slow unraveling of his demise...And of the others under his spell.
Appearance and reality are prevalent in Othello because of Shakespeare's depiction of Iago as a two faced, conniving character. In the first three acts, Iago is on Roderigo's side. As a duo, they convince Brabanzio that his daughter is sleeping with a moor. It is conveyed as an utter disgrace. But Brabanzio is not easily swayed; that is until Iago delivers the atrocity of such a betrayal. How hypocritical of Iago to speak on the importance of Desdemona's loyalty to her father, when this is just the beginning of his mischievous endeavors.
Desperation is the name of the game for Roderigo. This man has put all of his desires and hopes into Desdemona and has failed miserably at winning her heart. Iago on the other hand believes in Roderigo, or so he makes him think. He tells him to, "Put money in thy purse. / It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor" (1.3 335) Here, another contradiction is made. He lacks faith in the love of Desdemona and Othello and feels it will come to an abrupt end. But is that really how he feels? In fact, he is the sole purpose of the latter destruction of the two. Its Iago's wrongdoing that tear their hearts into pieces. His desire for Roderigo's money in exchange for false hope gives Iago a selfish identity.
Another dreadful characteristic Iago possesses is that of envy. His jealousy towards Cassio drives him mad. He believes he should have the position as Othello's lieutenant. He plans to seek revenge and develops a scheme to win Othello's favor. He slyly convinces Othello that Cassio is engaged in an affair with his beloved. Othello becomes so overcome by this accusation, he kills Desdemona, and Iago sets out to destroy Cassio. Iago is seen as a tornado like figure, cursing all that surrounds him. The manifestation of his greed has lead to nothing but violence.
His masks of "heavenly shows" is his ability to create a comforting environment to which these three men can talk openly. He provides them this sort of divine guidance by showering them with poetic verses of advice and support. He gives them a sense of power in the midst of chaos. He shows them a world of possibility when all else seems doomed. But then with the turn of a cheek, Iago coils inwards and finds his deepest, darkest self. He sets everyone up for failure, including himself. This story teaches us the importance of maintaining honesty within relationships. When your empire is powered by greed, your empire will crash and burn to pieces. Iago turned out to be the opposite of what he conveyed. He was no divine counselor; he was the devil himself, creating a world in which love turned to hate and life turned to death.
My favorite line from Othello:
"Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. / Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners;..." (1.3 316-18).
In other words, we create the life to which we lead. We are the masters of our fate. We can choose to do the right thing or we can do the wrong thing and suffer the consequences.
1st Essay REVISION
In The Odyssey, there are two fundamental codes of behavior that depict societal norms. The first one is the value of hospitality in association with hosts and their guests. Subsequent, is the role of the female characters in essence to Odysseus. These two codes captured my attention the most because of their importance to the themes of the story. They are responsible for the actions, behaviors, and personalities of the characters.
The significance of hospitality is vital because it is displayed through out the entire novel. Odysseus is on a heroic quest back to Ithaca. Because of his long travels, he is forced to rely on the kindness of strangers to provide him shelter, food, protection, and entertainment. In exchange, he is to deliver certain information pertaining to his identity, his whereabouts, the reason for his embarkment, and so forth. Today modern technology has made it easily accessible to retain information. However, during the times of Odysseus' pursuit, there was no such thing as the internet and television; rather people relied on one another to gain knowledge of the world around them.
In Book VIII, Odysseus' stay at the Phaiakians' place of assembly addresses the presence of the code of hospitality. Here, Alkinoos addresses the following statement, " Here is this stranger. I do not know who he is, come wandering suppliant here to my house from the eastern to the western people. He urges conveyance, and entreats us for its assurance. So let us, as we have done before, hasten to convey him, for neither has any man who has come to my house stayed here grieving a long time for the matter of convoy" (VIII, 28-33). He then goes on to comply, "I say this to the young men, but also, you other sceptered kings, come to me in my splendid dwelling, so we can entertain the stranger guest in our palace" (VIII, 40-42). Alkinoos' speech signifies the welcoming of Odysseus, a stranger who has just appeared on the land, into his palace. The value of entertainment and food are emphasized in a form of celebration and abidance.
The next code of behavior is the role of the female characters. Penelope, Kalypso, and Athena are all major figures that highly influence Odysseus' motives and behaviors. His marriage to Penelope is a sacred representation. Their longing for one another underlines one of the primary reasons for Odysseus' journey back home. However, during their time apart, Odysseus is held captive by Kalypso for seven years. Her desire for him leads to an affair. But even though Odysseus is physically there with her, spiritually his heart belongs to Penelope. The following statement expresses his loneliness and affection for his distant wife, " [...] the sweet lifetime was draining out of him, as he wept for a way home, since the nymph was no longer pleasing to him. By nights he would lie beside her, of necessity, in the hollow caverns, against his will, by one who was willing, but all the days he would sit upon the rocks, at the seaside, breaking his heart in tears and lamentation and sorrow as weeping tears he looked out over the barren water" (V, 152-158). Evidently, Odysseus is lead by his emotions, and the effects of these two women showcase another side to him. Hero, indeed, but a mere mortal at that.
Athena is the daughter of Zues and the goddess of wisdom. With the use of her divine powers, she is able to conceal herself in the shape of Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus. Her camouflage allows her to guide and encourage Odysseus, as well as provide advisement for his son, Telemachus. The faith in both father and son show her dedication. As a female character, an important trait to possess, is the ability to withstand loyalty. All three women in Odysseus life exhibit their designated roles, and that is to consent to their men and supply endless support.
Ultimately, these two codes of behavior symbolize (although to a smaller extent today) the depiction of societal norms. The expectations of characters intertwine with their reactions to life's situations, and The Odyssey does a fantastic job at epitomizing what people should do and why.
2nd Essay
Whenever I see the word hero, I think back to my childhood and images of Superman, Batman, and Spiderman appear. However, as a 21 year old, my vision of the word, hero, have changed somewhat. Now I think of Beowulf and Odysseus. The epic poems to which they "star" have altered my state of mind. Imagery of tragedy and suffering in paradox to victory and pleasure of power now occupy my thoughts. These two men endure a great deal of tragedy that pave the way to their personal greatness. For example, in The Odyssey, Odysseus has embarked on a tremendous journey to get back to his homeland of Ithaca. He is faced with imprisonment, death of his fellow ship mates, the absence of his adored wife, the loss of his son's childhood, etc. He bears all tragedies that come his way because he has no choice, if he wants to survive.
With that said, I've become enlightened. The definition of a hero is SURVIVAL. How well a man (or woman) is able to endure suffering is in fact a skill. One who is weak from sorrow suffers from lack of willpower and pessimism. Such emotions can lead to an immeasurable amount of lifelong pain and debilitation. One who seeks knowledge from their personal struggles can find the beauty in it, and thus, recover and move forward. Odysseus is a character whom I admire, because if he can go 20 years away from his home and still come back to conquer what is his, then I should be able to look back on my past mistakes and learn to persevere. Life is a struggle, but it is also what we make it.
According to the Macmillan Dictionary, the definition of the word, Odyssey, is as follows, "a long journey during which many things happen" and "a person's progress from one stage to another; a type of spiritual quest." So, in junction to the story depicting an adventure, it also exemplifies the essence of self discovery and self-reliance (Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay does a magnificent job at exuding the important of trusting thyself).
In Book 12, there is a significant speech made by the almighty Odysseus emphasizing the important of courage to his crew. He quotes, "Dear friends, surely we are not unlearned in evils. This is no greater evil now than it was when the Cyclops had us cooped in his hollow cave by force and violence, but even there, by my courage and counsel and my intelligence, we escaped away. I think that all this will be remembered some day too. Then do as I say, let us all be won over”’ (XII, 208-13). What I believe he is saying is that they've already experienced danger and found a way to escape it. If they can conquer one evil, they can find the courage to conquer the next. Life is a never ending journey. It only ends in death, so while you're still alive, keep trekking!
His ability to take leadership, his willingness to counsel, his awareness of his intelligence, his ability to escape dangers, and his confidence define the qualities of a hero to me. Achievement is success and Odysseus eventually finds his way back home; the true ending of a heroic tale.
1st Essay
The Odyssey tells the story of a man, of heroic nature, on his quest back home. Along his journey, Odysseus, the protagonist, endures physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. He is King of Ithaca and his absence of 20 years has caused much grief not only for himself, but for his family, and people of the land. During the time of Ancient Greece, there were certain codes of behavior that guided people towards morality and justice, however, these codes of conduct also revealed people to the other side. One of the most prominent themes is the role of the female characters. Although the epic predominately revolves around the endeavors of Odysseus, the women that surround him serve an important use.
Clearly, women are subordinate to men. It appears in his relationships with the goddess Kalypso and his everlasting love, Penelope. The contradiction between the kinship of a man and woman is immeasurable. While Odysseus seeks his adventure back home, he often finds himself battling an inner demon. Within him, Odysseus bears the inability of resistance. He succumbs to the temptation of the goddess, Kalypso, all the while, yearning for the true love of his wife, Penelope. He is split between the entrapment and beauty of Kalypso, and his desire to go back to Penelope, the woman he shares a "sacred" marriage with. In Book 5, Odysseus expresses outwardly his longing for Penelope. Even though he had spent many a night enslaved by the beauty and admiration of Kalypso's love, his true heart's commitment lay in Penelope's hands. "[…] the sweet lifetime was draining out of him, as he wept for a way home, since the nymph was no longer pleasing to him. By nights he would lie beside her, of necessity, in the hollow caverns, against his will, by one who was willing, but all the days he would sit upon the rocks, at the seaside, breaking his heart in tears and lamentation and sorrow as weeping tears he looked out over the barren water" (V, 152-58). Odysseus's infidelity only proved how important Penelope was to him, however, Penelope was expected to remain utterly faithful to Odysseus to prove her love for him. Even with his nonexistence, she was bound to the actuality that Odysseus was going to come back home to her and cure her loneliness. Penelope was often described as either "sleeping" or "weeping" for the loss of her husband (taken from Quiz #2 question). God forbid she lay next to another man; society would go into an upheaval of "societal norms". Another discernible point relating to the affairs of men and women was the imprisonment of Odysseus of the Goddess, Kalypso. A mere mortal woman would never be able to gain such control over a man, for without the man's guidance, mortal women were illustrated as feeble, weak, and unable.
The second code of behavior I find of great influence is the act of hospitality. This code is evident in almost the entire epic. During the that time, the value of hospitality was high because long travel was one of the only efficient ways of gaining information. Whenever anyone embarked on a long journey, such as Odysseus, they depended on the kindness of others for shelter, food, and protection. In return, the traveller would provide them with information concerning who they were, what they were doing, and the purpose of their mission ( * ). The tradition of hospitality is of such main focus that even the gods and goddesses adhere to its significance. In the following quote, Kalypso offers her loyalty with a feast and oust of entertainment in exchange for information. "How is it, Hermes of the golden staff, you have come to me? I honor you and love you; but you have not come much before this. Speak what is in your mind. My heart is urgent to do it if I can, and if it is a thing that can be accomplished. But come in with me, so I can put entertainment before you.’ So the goddess spoke, and she set before him a table which she had filled with ambrosia, and mixed red nectar for him" (V, 87-93).
In conclusion, the inhabitants of Ancient Greece were expected to oblige to the following codes of behavior: 1) Women were to observe their place in society and stick by their men's side. Their dedication and faithfulness lead their character's discourse. 2) The value of hospitality provided an endless dedication to travelers and journeymen. With this code of behavior, people exchanged gifts of food and other pleasures for news and information regarding their surroundings. Things such as the internet and television did not exist, so being faithful to the hospitable code provided much positivity for the people.
The natives also knew, if they did not abide by of each code of behavior, they could possibly face punishment from the gods. They were people of faith who believed in the power of the higher beings. Dedication and loyalty among themselves and the gods were something they either lived by or died for...
The definition of a hero is not someone who has supernatural powers. A hero is someone who is brave enough to stand up for himself and others. A hero can be a person who has struggled immensely, yet use his experiences to turn his life around. A hero constitutes the act of perseverance. He has courage to stand bright even in the darkest of places.
It is about survival. The ability to endure suffering is in fact a skill. Odysseus exemplifies this in his journey back home. He has been separated from his wife and son for many years and it his righteous duty is to go back to where he belongs. Odysseus encounters various obstacles that can either weaken or destroy him. Rather, he learns to take control of his surroundings and thus progresses himself.
In Book XII, Odysseus displays the importance of leadership. He says to his crew, "Dear friends, surely we are not unlearned in evils. This is no greater evil now that it was when the Cyclops had us cooped in his hollow cave by force and violence, but even there, by my courage and counsel and my intelligence, we escaped away. I think that all this will be remembered some day too. Then do as I say, let us all be won over" (XII, 208-13). He beautifully he executes the nobility of courage and intelligence to his fellow crew members. They've experienced pain before, so what makes this situation any different? The idea is to never stop and think that it is hard and impossible. A hero must be strong and gain willpower.
The life of a hero does not always end in success, however, it is not the destination that is most important, but the journey. Odysseus has embarked on a treacherous journey, but also, on a spiritual quest of some sort. A hero represents growth, not perfection. In conclusion, Odysseus does in fact meet my standards for heroism. He is a flawed human being, but these flaws make him imperfectly perfect. And in a way, he is successful. He returns home and is reunited with the love of his life. He took the hard path, but eventually it lead him to exactly where he wanted to be.
1st Essay REVISION
The Odyssey is an epic poem depicting the heroic journey of a man called Odysseus. It is an adventure filled with an array of physical and emotional suffering. However, ultimately, the story describes a tale of endurance and spiritual growth. There is a spectrum of behavioral codes of conduct that Odysseus and the other characters must succumb to in oder to meet societal norms. I have observed two particular codes of behavior that, I believe, are the most prominent to the themes of the story. They are the hospitality and loyalty.
Hospitality is essential because the poem is based in ancient Greece. The people of that time felt it was incredibly important to be kind towards strangers, especially those traveling. They'd welcome them into their homes providing food, shelter, protection, and entertainment. In exchange, they'd hope to receive information from the traveling man. The traveller would thus reveal to them his identity, his whereabouts, and the meaning of his journey. Back in those times, information was valuable because it was so hard to attain. Unlike today, with our abundance of technology, we can access information in record time. People needed to rely on other people to physically deliver knowledge and news.
In Book VIII, Odysseus's stay at the Phaiakians' place of assembly illustrates the code of hospitality. Here, Alkinoos makes the following statement, "Here is this stranger. I do not know who he is, came wandering suppliant here to my house from the eastern to the western people. He urges conveyance, and entreats us for its assurance. So let us, as we have done before, hasten to convey him, for neither has any man who has come to my house stayed here grieving a long time for the matter of convoy" (VIII, 28-33). He then goes on to say, "I say this to the young men, but also, you other sceptered kings, come to me in my splendid dwelling, so we can entertain the stranger guest in our place" (VIII, 40-42). Alkinoos is following the code of hospitality. He has welcomed Odysseus into his palace and will provide him a great feast and celebration. In return, it is Odysseus's duty to return the favor by providing his information.
The next code of behavior is that of loyalty. This is extremely relevant to Odysseus because it is his wife, Penelope, whose sexual faith he depends on. Even though Odysseus has involved himself in various love affairs, the opposite is expected of his wife. Women had to respect their husbands and never go to bed with anyone else. When he returns home to Ithaka, he is overwhelmed with the abundance of suitors that are trying to win over his wife. However, Penelope never once deceived Odysseus. In fact, she embraced her cunning personality to keep the suitors astray. Her idea of weaving and undoing the loom to delay remarriage kept her in the safe zone until Odysseus came and fought them off. "Therefore in the daytime she would weave at her great loom, but in the night have torches set by, and undo it. So for three years she was secret in her design..." (II, 104-06). This form of loyalty was significant to the perseverance of their love.
In conclusion, these two codes of conduct struck me the most because of its strong value even in modern times. Although, hospitality is not as great as it once was, we still depend on the kindness and generosity of others. The idea of loyalty will always be something people will hold in high regards. We trust people because we want to love them and give ourselves to them. It is important that we have people in our lives we can depend on because the world can be a cruel place. This was true for Odysseus and it still stands for today.
3rd Essay REVISION
In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is visibly portrayed as a devious character. His cruel intentions are manifested at the start of the play. He has set out to betray Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello in order to confirm his personal desires. He masters the skill of language and poses himself as a true friend to each of these men. He thus causes them to believe that his guidance and perseverance are in good spirits. But the truth is far from that. His course of actions display the devil within him.
He first betrays Roderigo by taking advantage of his sorrows. His love for Desdemona is unjustified due to the marriage between her and Othello. The battle of love has been lost and Roderigo becomes a rather pathetic character, basking in his own pity. But Iago steps in, and assures Roderigo that all is not lost. He persuades Roderigo to give him money in exchange to win Desdemona's heart. Iago says,"Put money in thy purse. / It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor" (1.3 335). The statement implicates Iago's forewarning of the end of Desdemona and Othello's marriage. This reassures Roderigo, therefore developing a trustworthy friendship with Iago. Iago, evidently is manipulating Roderigo's vulnerable state to feed his greedy appetite.
Iago is envious of Cassio's position as Othello's lieutenant. He feels he is more adequate for the title and thus seeks a spiteful revenge on Cassio. Reputation plays a major role in Othello, and Iago knows just the way to bring Cassio down. He turns to the liquid devil, alcohol, to get the unwilling, Cassio, drunk; therefore leading to an altercation with Montano. This ultimately leads to his demotion as lieutenant. Iago is satisfied with his sinister plan to attain power.
Fundamentally, Iago is interested in Othello's deterioration. He's been jealous of his marriage to Desdemona all along. And fiercely yearns for the power and glory Othello possesses. He begins to break down Othello by convincing him that Cassio has been having an affair with Desdemona. He presents the handkerchief, from which he had Emilia steal, to prove as evidence to the affair. It is an evil trick that Othello unfortunately falls for. Although, Desdemona is innocent of infidelity, Othello strangles her to death, and thus kills himself.
Iago ultimately arrives at success, however, his wife, Emilia, brings him out into the light. He has finally been unveiled as a villain and is subsequently arrested for wreaking such grand chaos. Iago's last words are, "Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak a word" (5.2 309-10). Iago's motives for what he's done are never noted. He clearly was a devil in disguise.
3rd Essay
Iago portrays a rather interesting character. As a friend, he stands tall with loyalty, generosity, and guidance. But there is another side to Iago. A dark and evil one that leaves readers guessing upon his next move. The story never gives us real back round information towards Iago's motives. The lack of reason adds to his mystifying persona. He is a villain! And he is on a mission to destroy anyone who comes in his way. I describe Iago as some sort of evil puppeteer. He has mastered the art and skill of language and uses it to manipulate his peers. His ability to easily gain trust from these men make him untrustworthy in a sense. He is a walking oxymoron. It intrigues me to watch the slow unraveling of his demise...And of the others under his spell.
Appearance and reality are prevalent in Othello because of Shakespeare's depiction of Iago as a two faced, conniving character. In the first three acts, Iago is on Roderigo's side. As a duo, they convince Brabanzio that his daughter is sleeping with a moor. It is conveyed as an utter disgrace. But Brabanzio is not easily swayed; that is until Iago delivers the atrocity of such a betrayal. How hypocritical of Iago to speak on the importance of Desdemona's loyalty to her father, when this is just the beginning of his mischievous endeavors.
Desperation is the name of the game for Roderigo. This man has put all of his desires and hopes into Desdemona and has failed miserably at winning her heart. Iago on the other hand believes in Roderigo, or so he makes him think. He tells him to, "Put money in thy purse. / It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor" (1.3 335) Here, another contradiction is made. He lacks faith in the love of Desdemona and Othello and feels it will come to an abrupt end. But is that really how he feels? In fact, he is the sole purpose of the latter destruction of the two. Its Iago's wrongdoing that tear their hearts into pieces. His desire for Roderigo's money in exchange for false hope gives Iago a selfish identity.
Another dreadful characteristic Iago possesses is that of envy. His jealousy towards Cassio drives him mad. He believes he should have the position as Othello's lieutenant. He plans to seek revenge and develops a scheme to win Othello's favor. He slyly convinces Othello that Cassio is engaged in an affair with his beloved. Othello becomes so overcome by this accusation, he kills Desdemona, and Iago sets out to destroy Cassio. Iago is seen as a tornado like figure, cursing all that surrounds him. The manifestation of his greed has lead to nothing but violence.
His masks of "heavenly shows" is his ability to create a comforting environment to which these three men can talk openly. He provides them this sort of divine guidance by showering them with poetic verses of advice and support. He gives them a sense of power in the midst of chaos. He shows them a world of possibility when all else seems doomed. But then with the turn of a cheek, Iago coils inwards and finds his deepest, darkest self. He sets everyone up for failure, including himself. This story teaches us the importance of maintaining honesty within relationships. When your empire is powered by greed, your empire will crash and burn to pieces. Iago turned out to be the opposite of what he conveyed. He was no divine counselor; he was the devil himself, creating a world in which love turned to hate and life turned to death.
My favorite line from Othello:
"Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus. / Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners;..." (1.3 316-18).
In other words, we create the life to which we lead. We are the masters of our fate. We can choose to do the right thing or we can do the wrong thing and suffer the consequences.
1st Essay REVISION
In The Odyssey, there are two fundamental codes of behavior that depict societal norms. The first one is the value of hospitality in association with hosts and their guests. Subsequent, is the role of the female characters in essence to Odysseus. These two codes captured my attention the most because of their importance to the themes of the story. They are responsible for the actions, behaviors, and personalities of the characters.
The significance of hospitality is vital because it is displayed through out the entire novel. Odysseus is on a heroic quest back to Ithaca. Because of his long travels, he is forced to rely on the kindness of strangers to provide him shelter, food, protection, and entertainment. In exchange, he is to deliver certain information pertaining to his identity, his whereabouts, the reason for his embarkment, and so forth. Today modern technology has made it easily accessible to retain information. However, during the times of Odysseus' pursuit, there was no such thing as the internet and television; rather people relied on one another to gain knowledge of the world around them.
In Book VIII, Odysseus' stay at the Phaiakians' place of assembly addresses the presence of the code of hospitality. Here, Alkinoos addresses the following statement, " Here is this stranger. I do not know who he is, come wandering suppliant here to my house from the eastern to the western people. He urges conveyance, and entreats us for its assurance. So let us, as we have done before, hasten to convey him, for neither has any man who has come to my house stayed here grieving a long time for the matter of convoy" (VIII, 28-33). He then goes on to comply, "I say this to the young men, but also, you other sceptered kings, come to me in my splendid dwelling, so we can entertain the stranger guest in our palace" (VIII, 40-42). Alkinoos' speech signifies the welcoming of Odysseus, a stranger who has just appeared on the land, into his palace. The value of entertainment and food are emphasized in a form of celebration and abidance.
The next code of behavior is the role of the female characters. Penelope, Kalypso, and Athena are all major figures that highly influence Odysseus' motives and behaviors. His marriage to Penelope is a sacred representation. Their longing for one another underlines one of the primary reasons for Odysseus' journey back home. However, during their time apart, Odysseus is held captive by Kalypso for seven years. Her desire for him leads to an affair. But even though Odysseus is physically there with her, spiritually his heart belongs to Penelope. The following statement expresses his loneliness and affection for his distant wife, " [...] the sweet lifetime was draining out of him, as he wept for a way home, since the nymph was no longer pleasing to him. By nights he would lie beside her, of necessity, in the hollow caverns, against his will, by one who was willing, but all the days he would sit upon the rocks, at the seaside, breaking his heart in tears and lamentation and sorrow as weeping tears he looked out over the barren water" (V, 152-158). Evidently, Odysseus is lead by his emotions, and the effects of these two women showcase another side to him. Hero, indeed, but a mere mortal at that.
Athena is the daughter of Zues and the goddess of wisdom. With the use of her divine powers, she is able to conceal herself in the shape of Mentor, an old friend of Odysseus. Her camouflage allows her to guide and encourage Odysseus, as well as provide advisement for his son, Telemachus. The faith in both father and son show her dedication. As a female character, an important trait to possess, is the ability to withstand loyalty. All three women in Odysseus life exhibit their designated roles, and that is to consent to their men and supply endless support.
Ultimately, these two codes of behavior symbolize (although to a smaller extent today) the depiction of societal norms. The expectations of characters intertwine with their reactions to life's situations, and The Odyssey does a fantastic job at epitomizing what people should do and why.
2nd Essay
Whenever I see the word hero, I think back to my childhood and images of Superman, Batman, and Spiderman appear. However, as a 21 year old, my vision of the word, hero, have changed somewhat. Now I think of Beowulf and Odysseus. The epic poems to which they "star" have altered my state of mind. Imagery of tragedy and suffering in paradox to victory and pleasure of power now occupy my thoughts. These two men endure a great deal of tragedy that pave the way to their personal greatness. For example, in The Odyssey, Odysseus has embarked on a tremendous journey to get back to his homeland of Ithaca. He is faced with imprisonment, death of his fellow ship mates, the absence of his adored wife, the loss of his son's childhood, etc. He bears all tragedies that come his way because he has no choice, if he wants to survive.
With that said, I've become enlightened. The definition of a hero is SURVIVAL. How well a man (or woman) is able to endure suffering is in fact a skill. One who is weak from sorrow suffers from lack of willpower and pessimism. Such emotions can lead to an immeasurable amount of lifelong pain and debilitation. One who seeks knowledge from their personal struggles can find the beauty in it, and thus, recover and move forward. Odysseus is a character whom I admire, because if he can go 20 years away from his home and still come back to conquer what is his, then I should be able to look back on my past mistakes and learn to persevere. Life is a struggle, but it is also what we make it.
According to the Macmillan Dictionary, the definition of the word, Odyssey, is as follows, "a long journey during which many things happen" and "a person's progress from one stage to another; a type of spiritual quest." So, in junction to the story depicting an adventure, it also exemplifies the essence of self discovery and self-reliance (Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay does a magnificent job at exuding the important of trusting thyself).
In Book 12, there is a significant speech made by the almighty Odysseus emphasizing the important of courage to his crew. He quotes, "Dear friends, surely we are not unlearned in evils. This is no greater evil now than it was when the Cyclops had us cooped in his hollow cave by force and violence, but even there, by my courage and counsel and my intelligence, we escaped away. I think that all this will be remembered some day too. Then do as I say, let us all be won over”’ (XII, 208-13). What I believe he is saying is that they've already experienced danger and found a way to escape it. If they can conquer one evil, they can find the courage to conquer the next. Life is a never ending journey. It only ends in death, so while you're still alive, keep trekking!
His ability to take leadership, his willingness to counsel, his awareness of his intelligence, his ability to escape dangers, and his confidence define the qualities of a hero to me. Achievement is success and Odysseus eventually finds his way back home; the true ending of a heroic tale.
1st Essay
The Odyssey tells the story of a man, of heroic nature, on his quest back home. Along his journey, Odysseus, the protagonist, endures physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. He is King of Ithaca and his absence of 20 years has caused much grief not only for himself, but for his family, and people of the land. During the time of Ancient Greece, there were certain codes of behavior that guided people towards morality and justice, however, these codes of conduct also revealed people to the other side. One of the most prominent themes is the role of the female characters. Although the epic predominately revolves around the endeavors of Odysseus, the women that surround him serve an important use.
Clearly, women are subordinate to men. It appears in his relationships with the goddess Kalypso and his everlasting love, Penelope. The contradiction between the kinship of a man and woman is immeasurable. While Odysseus seeks his adventure back home, he often finds himself battling an inner demon. Within him, Odysseus bears the inability of resistance. He succumbs to the temptation of the goddess, Kalypso, all the while, yearning for the true love of his wife, Penelope. He is split between the entrapment and beauty of Kalypso, and his desire to go back to Penelope, the woman he shares a "sacred" marriage with. In Book 5, Odysseus expresses outwardly his longing for Penelope. Even though he had spent many a night enslaved by the beauty and admiration of Kalypso's love, his true heart's commitment lay in Penelope's hands. "[…] the sweet lifetime was draining out of him, as he wept for a way home, since the nymph was no longer pleasing to him. By nights he would lie beside her, of necessity, in the hollow caverns, against his will, by one who was willing, but all the days he would sit upon the rocks, at the seaside, breaking his heart in tears and lamentation and sorrow as weeping tears he looked out over the barren water" (V, 152-58). Odysseus's infidelity only proved how important Penelope was to him, however, Penelope was expected to remain utterly faithful to Odysseus to prove her love for him. Even with his nonexistence, she was bound to the actuality that Odysseus was going to come back home to her and cure her loneliness. Penelope was often described as either "sleeping" or "weeping" for the loss of her husband (taken from Quiz #2 question). God forbid she lay next to another man; society would go into an upheaval of "societal norms". Another discernible point relating to the affairs of men and women was the imprisonment of Odysseus of the Goddess, Kalypso. A mere mortal woman would never be able to gain such control over a man, for without the man's guidance, mortal women were illustrated as feeble, weak, and unable.
The second code of behavior I find of great influence is the act of hospitality. This code is evident in almost the entire epic. During the that time, the value of hospitality was high because long travel was one of the only efficient ways of gaining information. Whenever anyone embarked on a long journey, such as Odysseus, they depended on the kindness of others for shelter, food, and protection. In return, the traveller would provide them with information concerning who they were, what they were doing, and the purpose of their mission ( * ). The tradition of hospitality is of such main focus that even the gods and goddesses adhere to its significance. In the following quote, Kalypso offers her loyalty with a feast and oust of entertainment in exchange for information. "How is it, Hermes of the golden staff, you have come to me? I honor you and love you; but you have not come much before this. Speak what is in your mind. My heart is urgent to do it if I can, and if it is a thing that can be accomplished. But come in with me, so I can put entertainment before you.’ So the goddess spoke, and she set before him a table which she had filled with ambrosia, and mixed red nectar for him" (V, 87-93).
In conclusion, the inhabitants of Ancient Greece were expected to oblige to the following codes of behavior: 1) Women were to observe their place in society and stick by their men's side. Their dedication and faithfulness lead their character's discourse. 2) The value of hospitality provided an endless dedication to travelers and journeymen. With this code of behavior, people exchanged gifts of food and other pleasures for news and information regarding their surroundings. Things such as the internet and television did not exist, so being faithful to the hospitable code provided much positivity for the people.
The natives also knew, if they did not abide by of each code of behavior, they could possibly face punishment from the gods. They were people of faith who believed in the power of the higher beings. Dedication and loyalty among themselves and the gods were something they either lived by or died for...
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