Odyssey: the Journey of a Hero Essay

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Odyssey: The Journey of a Hero

The Hero's Journey is never an easy one. This particular journey, as detailed in Homer's The Odyssey, is one of struggle, loss, heartache, pain, growth and triumph. It is comprised of many steps that Odysseus has to overcome and battle through in order to achieve his final goal of reaching his home and his loved ones. From the Call to Adventure to the Freedom or Gift of living, Odysseus conquered them all. The story begins in the middle of the story, as many of the oral Greek traditions did, with the Journey of Telemachus to find his father. Although Telemachus has not yet met his father, it is almost as if they are journeying together, where the end of both of their journeys results in being …show more content…
He meets his swineherd Euameus who does not recognize him but treats him with great hospitality. Odysseus soon finds that suitors ravage his home, his son is nearly a man, and nearly the whole isle has lost hope of him being alive. Odysseus must control his urge to run straight to his home to see the woman he loves. This is the point at which Telemachus and Odysseus' journeys merge. Telemachus has just come home ready to face the news that his father will never be seen again. He is coming home Athena advises him to go to see Euameus, where he will meet his father for the first time. Here Telemachus and Odysseus devise a plan to regain control of the house that Odysseus built with his own hands, thus they enter the abyss together.

So together Odysseus and Telemachus go to their home and begin their plan to take on the suitors. Odysseus, still disguised as the beggar, goes with Telemachus back into his household and observes the suitors while devising a plan in his head. During this period Odysseus is able to sort out the loyal from those who are deserving of punishment. Penelope, Odysseus' wife, has devised a contest for the suitors that whomsoever can string Odysseus' bow and shoot an arrow straight through the circular section of lined up axes will win her love. She did so knowing that this was impossible for any man but her husband, Odysseus. She was right, and the tournament ensued
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