The Vices of Human Nature in Homers The Odyssey Essay

The sum of all human traits is defined as human nature, meaning the excuse for our vices, and the flaws of mortal life. In Homers The Odyssey, the main character Odysseus demonstrates these flaws throughout his journey, constantly struggling through the eternal fight for realization of life and death, and is weighed down by the never ending power struggle of nature versus mankind. In The final chapters of Odysseuss quest, the reader believes that the main character has finally found himself. The problem with his happy ending is that he has forgotten one thing. Odysseus is not perfect he is human. Though he has learned much through his perils, the vices of Pride, vengeance, and dependency, all come back to haunt him during the†¦show more content†¦The narration of this chapter is full of powerful words describing him as the master of craft and battle, which is very similar to the way his legacy would describe him. At one point he calls upon the God Apollo to give him glory. This is very interesting because he is the God of archery, and his arrows are a metaphor for death and misery. Odysseus is brimming with pride, and vengeance, and seems to have forgotten his lessons, because these are the vices that brought him and his men misery during their time at sea. The targets that he speaks of, is of course the suitors he aims to kill, but as well it is th e reclaiming of his power, his kingdom, his wife, or in other words his life. When Athena appears to Odysseus during his fight with the suitors, his dependency resurfaces and he is ready to let Athena finish his battle for him. Rescue us mentor, now it is life or death(217). This indicates to the reader that he has learned nothing during his journey home, resignifying that he is in fact only human. Near the end of this chapter when he has finished off all of the suitors, (mostly with the aid of Athena), Odysseus feels he has prevailed as the winner, righted the wrong. At one point he exclaims these men the doom of the gods has brought low, and their own indecent acts. Theyd no regard for any man who chanced come their way. And so thanks to their reckless work, they met their shameful fate.(435-438). The irony of this quote is the fact that he isShow MoreRelatedOdysseus, A Hero Essay1135 Words   |  5 Pagesimpossible for a human being to be totally good because weaknesses, character faults, and the tendency to make mistakes are all rooted deeply into human nature. Therefore, no human being can ever truly be a hero, though we may do heroic deeds. A well known example of such a person is Odysseus from Homers Odyssey. Odysseus is idolized for his few heroic deeds during the Trojan War and his journey home to Ithaca. 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