What I found interesting about the Odyssey so far is the ambiguity of morality in their culture. Particularly in the ay Odysseus responds to different situations. He is so careful to be respectful to the Phaeacians, and to respect the expected behaviors when he imposed on them, even accepting physical challenges to competitions. However, when he is faced with a real challenge (Troy, Polyphemus), he resorts to underhanded tactics instead of facing his enemies head-on. At Troy, he comes up with the idea for a wooden horse to sneak into the city and attack his unsuspecting opponents. With Polyphemus, he hides under the sheep to escape. Does this make him clever or deceptive? Intelligent or under-handed? For me, it raises the question as to the definition of courage and bravery. Is it honorable to gain victory through deception?
-Sydni Holm
P.S. I commented on Abbey Griffin's post
I feel that in Odysseus' case he is a little of both; clever and deceptive. He is clever in that he came up with ideas unique to him and him alone that others did not think of. Unfortunately, at the same time it's slightly deceptive. He isn't concerned with the greater well being of Menelaus and his men, he simply wants to reach Helen. I guess in a way you could say he is cunning because he needed to be clever in order to survive.
ReplyDeleteI think this is one of the things that makes Odysseus more interesting than any given Greek hero. I don't really /like/ Odysseus but he isn't a typical bash-and-whacker type of hero. His strengths aren't purely physical, which is intriguing to me. (Also a little annoying, since he's ridiculously strong, too. No Gary Stu like a classical Greek mythology Gary Stu.)
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