Storytellers In The Odyssey Essay

Words: 1671
Pages: 7
Open Document
The Odyssey Essay Outline
Introduction:
The Odyssey written by Homer tells the epic tale of Odysseus, a legendary Greek hero, and his ten year struggle to return home after the Trojan War. In greater context, however, The Odyssey is really a story about stories or more specifically, a story about the power of storytelling. When talking about the distribution of power within The Odyssey, most focus their attention on the Greek gods, who appear to play a very active role in the lives of humans. They have the ability to influence, manipulate and define each individual’s destiny. Yet, just as we see the gods play an influential role within human nature, so do storytellers. Through song, they have the power to manipulate emotions, bringing sadness, pleasure and sadness again. Just as the gods can determine the destiny of humanity, storytellers define the destiny of a story and whether or not it continues to live on throughout history. Arguably, storytellers are the human analog of the divine as they exert their influence in a manner similar to the gods. Just like the Greek gods’ influence tends to be morally ambiguous, so do the actions of the storytellers. Homer amplifies the importance of …show more content…
Chapter 8 most clearly highlights how the actions of storytellers can be considered morally ambiguous. Through song, Demodokos, the blind Phaiakian Muse, brings Odysseus to tears, making him grieve for all of his fallen comrades. Odysseus attempts to gain control over his emotions by “skillfully drying his secret tears,” yet as “soon as the minstrel plucked his note once more, Odysseus wept again” (Homer. VIII. 95). In this instance, Odysseus is the puppet and the Demodokos is the puppeteer, who, with the pluck of a harp string, can toy with Odysseus’
Show More

Related Documents: Storytellers In The Odyssey Essay

Humanities Chapter 2 Essay

Chapter 2 Essay There were two different types of philosophers in the Greek era. The first philosophers to evolve were the naturalists. They believed that although the world does not stop changing there is something out there that will forever remain constant. Following the naturalists were the Sophists who turned their attention away from the world and toward the mind and morals. Both of these philosophy styles were very influential in the art society. The sculptures, architecture, and literature…

Words 346 - Pages 2

Greek Mythology Research Paper

29, 2016 Polished Essay Rough Draft In this essay I will talk about how Greek Mythology started and how it goes into the beginning of Greek Philosophy. The folklore about Greek Gods and Goddesses in ancient Greece had become an important part of everyday life. In Greek mythology the earliest Greek myths were included as part of tradition which had started from the Early Helladic Era. It is said that before greek philosophy came about there were people such as poets, storytellers, and myth-makers…

Words 1001 - Pages 5