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Archetypal Characters In The Odyssey

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Archetypal Characters In The Odyssey
Mythology P1
Archetypal Characters As humans we make mistakes, but the real power is learning from our mistakes. Often we can learn from others mistakes that way we don’t have to feel the pain ourselves to understand why we shouldn’t do something or be a certain way. Also we can learn from history and past mistakes that lead them into bad times and disputes. From literature we learn morals and lessons through the characters position. “We live with our archetypes, but can we live in them?” rightly said by Poul Anderson. An archetype is a universally understood symbol or pattern of behavior. Homer is the author of two great epics in world literature. Some people also regard Homer to be a group of story tellers. Homer’s epic The Odyssey presents several archetypal characters
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Childhood is the most importance phase of life when the child learns the most and can make connections easily. Being raised by Penelope alone, Telemachus needed the additional support which was fulfilled by Athena who guided him through the rocky waters of life. Telemachus, who grows up in the world of greed and disrespect where the suitors take over his palace. He has to stand up on his own feet and fight for his father which is a great example of a true son. Penelope’s character is an archetype for anyone waiting for a loved one to return from war. Penelope has the strong courage to wait for twenty years even though there was no guarantee that Odysseus was alive. A woman’s mission in life in Geek times was to bear children and take care of the house. She had the strength to raise Telemachus single handed, letting him not feel the absence of his father. Antinous’s character is an archetype for anyone who refuses to take responsibility for one’s own actions. Odysseus became the nemesis of the suitors. Antinous, known

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