Good And Evil In The Odyssey

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The Odyssey by Homer and The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, explores an array of different topics concerning key characteristics and features presented by an epic and a literature piece. One trait that is very notable is the concept “good vs evil”. In many works and epics, the concept of “good vs evil” is depicted as to be a hero who overcomes and defeats the evil, while observing all of the characteristics of a typical hero. Bravery, courage, honesty, longing for justice, mercifulness are some of the many characteristics observed by a typical hero. In The Odyssey, this notion is expressed in a similar manner, whereas, there is the epic’s hero or “good”, Odysseus, who embarks on a journey home and defeats any and all evil in his way of completing …show more content…
In the book, this is distinctly shown through the narration by Penelope about her marriage. A contest was held in order to decided who was worthy of having Penelope’s hand in marriage. Through her narration, it was made clear that Odysseus was the least likely to win to due his small frame and scrawny legs as interpreted by the quotes; “ He was not considered - by the maids at least - to be a serious candidate for my hand” (Atwood, 31) and “ ‘Not very fast, on those short legs of his’ said one maid unkindly. And indeed the legs of Odysseus were quite short in relation to his body” (Atwood, 31). His end goal of course was to win and gain the hand of Penelope in marriage, how was he going to be victorious if he had the least favourable odds of winning? Though Odysseus was the good, he resorted to the use of an unjust method of winning the contest, which was cheating. As supported by the quotes; “ Thus I missed the race itself. Odysseus won it, He cheated, as I later learned.” (Atwood, 35) and “ He mixed the wine of the other contestants with a drug that slowed them down, though not so much as they would notice; to Odysseus he gave a potion that had the opposite effect.” (Atwood, 35-36). It is made clear that our hero/good used a potion to win the contest. Despite the fact that in many …show more content…
Throughout the epic and story in the two literature works, Odysseus was always personified to be the “good”, and was expected to complete his quest with honor. However, there comes a time when the “good” has no other choice but to resort to the usage of an evil action. A range of acts such as, cheating, stealing, taunting and unmerciful slaughter. After reading and observing all of the undertakings followed through by the representation of “good”, it leaves us with a question, if the “good” has to use demeaning methods to accomplish incredible feats, how
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