Critical Essay on Odysseus Weeping

Introduction

Odysseus was a hero who facilitated the battle of Troy by conceptualizing the idea of a Trojan horse. He had fought many battles for the city, slew monsters and defeated giants. Though his acts were of heroic, Odysseus had also suffered at the hands of his enemies. He had slain the city's enemies for a long time. Odysseus pothos (longed for) home, his wife, and family (Kosmos Society, p.1). After the battle of Troy, the Phaeacian king, Alkinoos organizes a feast to celebrate Odysseus for the victory he had brought to the city. Alkinoos party has games, and Demodocus sings songs of victory. During the party, Odysseus asks Demodocus to sing about the Trojan horse and the battle of Troy. It is at this point where Odysseus starts weeping like a woman who lost his wife in battle. In this essay, I will argue how the battle of Troy brings Odysseus pain and despair.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

First, I have to mention the battle of Troy which is the beginning of Odysseus kamatos (Kosmos Society, p.1). The Trojan horse was a disguised gift to the people of Troy that allowed Odysseus and his army to infiltrate the gates of Troy and defeat the people of Troy. The battle resulted in the death of many men, women, and children. Odysseus remembers the battle, how they deceived the enemy and eventually, killed its people (Epic Cycle, p.105 line1-18). His ordeal resulted from the pain he had caused other. He was a hero who had led his men to battle and emerged victoriously. For his enemies, only death and sorrow came to them. The fact that Odysseus was a decorated hero yet he caused so much pain to others caused the turmoil within him (Homeric Odyssey, 8 line 85-92). Therefore, as Demodocus sang about the battle of Troy, all Odysseus could recall was the pain he inflicted on those people and many others in the battles he had fought.

Next, Odysseus wept from the suffering he had endured. Al his life, Odysseus had fought battles for cities and became victorious. The gods had blessed him which was both a good thing and bad thing. As the sweetness of Demodocus songs graced Odysseus, he would penthos (Kosmos Society, p.1). To him, all the songs of victory and heroism was a reminder of his suffering he had endured in battle and under his enemies (Homeric Hymn To Demeter, line 125-135). These battles had taken him away from Ithaca his homeland. All he wanted at the time was to go home and meet his family (Homeric Odyssey, 8 line 153-155). The songs were a reminder of what he had given up. He cried in despair and hoped that the King Alkinoos would facilitate his journey home.

Conclusion

It is because of suffering he had brought to others and himself that Odysseus wept. To the Phaeacians, Demodocus songs were accounts of themis battles (Homeric Hymn To Aphrodite line 5-75). All of which, Odysseus had participated in and became victorious. However, though he was successful, Odysseus could not help but weep because of the pain he had caused in battle. He was a stranger to the people he fought for and had endured much suffering in battle.

Work Cited

"Epic Cycle - SB". Chs.Harvard.Edu, 2016, https://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/5288. Accessed 3 Mar 2018.

"Homeric Hymn To Aphrodite - SB". Chs.Harvard.Edu, 2016, https://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/5293. Accessed 3 Mar 2018.

"Homeric Hymn To Demeter - SB". Chs.Harvard.Edu, 2016, https://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/5292. Accessed 3 Mar 2018.

"Homeric Odyssey - SB". Chs.Harvard.Edu, 2017, https://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/5287#8t. Accessed 3 Mar 2018.

Kosmos Society. "Core Vocab With Greek". The Kosmos Society, 2014, https://kosmossociety.chs.harvard.edu/?p=2636. Accessed 3 Mar 2018.