English Literature

Literature has presented the world with its wide array of great characters that have proven to be both ideal in the protagonist sort of way and cruel in the antagonistic sort of way. Since the epics of the world has been brought forth until todays more modern examples and themes of literature, well-developed and well-rounded characters have always been in abundance. Perhaps, the reason why characters, whether protagonists or antagonists, are endeared to people is that they exhibit true human traits that society can relate to. Whether the characters are so foul with their evil intentions or so admirable because of their steadfastness to commit good, they reflect the virtues of people and the absence of such. Even if these characters are fictional and created out of imagination, they still portray real human conflicts, issues, and traits that real people who read this and that literature would be drawn to them. They would feel compelled to emulate the exact traits that those characters possess. One example would be in the character of Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus, who experiences far from realistic adventures and yet, he manages to portray the difficulties that real people face. He brings us one step closer to understanding what it means to live in this world wherein our destiny is partly controlled by our own hands and partly dictated by whatever divine intervention there is.

Odysseus is an epic character figure, and when the word epic is used, it is a description to pertain that he is a larger-than-life character that has experienced tumultuous adventures in life. He is the protagonist of Homers other famous epic, The Odyssey, and takes up various adventures as he gets lost in sea. His life is rather unusual, from fighting a war he has really no personal reasons in attending, to being lost at sea and getting lured by Sirens and love-stricken Queens and nymphs. Odysseus life can be called exciting but not necessarily ideal as he gets to battle monsters and be parted from his family for years. However, this is the reason why his character is such an epic (as opposed to that of a character starring an epic) because after all that he has gone through, he still manages to cling to the thought that he will be back with his family. Thus, Odysseus teaches the readers about the value of commitment and steadfastness wherein if a person really puts his or her mind and heart into doing and achieving something, then it will be done in the end. The character of Odysseus also teaches us something very valuable as humansthat life would be full of unexpected adventures and ridiculous detours, but if we put our souls into one goal, then no matter what, it will be fulfilled in the end.

Odysseus frame of mind and purposefulness is not the only thing that is commendable his relationship with other people is as admirable as well. A great example would be in how his relationship with his dog, Argus, is portrayed in the epic
But old Argus the hound, who lay by the side of the doorway,
Pricked up his ears and raised his head Odysseus had reared him. (Homer 17.265-266).
Now that his master was gone, he lay neglected and outcast. (17.270)
But, at that moment, so soon as he saw Odysseus before him,
Feebly he wagged his tail, and laid back his ears in welcome. (17.275-276)

This example would prove that even animals see Odysseus as someone befitting of great loyalty and that no matter how long it takes, the dog knows that Odysseus would someday return. Odysseus must have taken great care of Argus in the past for the dog to be so loyal to him. Another example would be with how Odysseus wins the loyalty and blessing of Pallas Athene. The great goddess has been watching over Odysseus throughout his (mis)adventures and until the very end, she has helped him Then, from one high in the roof, Athene uplifted the Aegis,  Deadliest terror to men and the hearts of the suitors were fluttered (22.163-164). For a mere mortal to be watched over by a great goddess to such a greater extent must mean something for that mere mortal.

In conclusion, Odysseus is a character which embodies ideal traits for a human being not because of his adventures or the glorious legacy he has, but because of how he reacted to such adventures and legacy. More than the battles and the temptations of Sirens and nymphs, Odysseus has proven that humans are susceptible to failures, temptations, and numerous moments of weakness, but if strong determination and iron will to succeed resides in a persons heart, then most likely, that person can also be seen as someones in the end.