Today we will meet such an interesting character as Odysseus (sometimes also called Ullis). This is the king of Ithaca. Odysseus is the son of Laertes and Anticlea. According to some versions of the myth, he is the son of Sisyphus. Sisyphus allegedly seduced Anticlea before she married Laertes. Autolycus, the father of Anticlea (according to Homer - "the great perjurer and thief"), was the son of Hermes, whom he helped in his tricks. Hence the hereditary qualities of Odysseus, coming from Hermes - dexterity, practicality, intelligence. Among others, cunning should be noted. Odysseus, whose characteristics we are interested in, acquired new features in the work of Homer. What did he contribute to his image? Let's find out.
Odysseus' innovation in the depiction of Homer
Initially, the biography of this hero was not connected with the Trojan War. Odysseus, the story of which was the property of only adventurous fairy-tale plots, was not portrayed so vividly before Homer. It was presented in the following folklore motifs: an hourly long sea voyage threatening death, a staycharacter in the "other world", as well as the return of her husband at the very moment when his wife is threatened with the need to conclude a new marriage. These motifs were transformed by Homer's epic about the Trojan War. The poet introduced a number of important ideas into them: the selfless love of Odysseus for his native hearth, the return to his homeland, the suffering of the hero who experienced the wrath of the gods. Note that the very name "Odysseus" comes from the Greek word meaning "I am angry." That is, it can be translated as "a man of divine wrath", "hated by the gods".
What does Homer write about such an interesting hero as Odysseus? The mythology of ancient Greece offers us many interesting stories, but the Trojan War deserves special attention. The fact that Homer included this hero among the leaders who fought Troy led to the formation of ideas about his military exploits, about his decisive role in the capture of the city (the motif of a wooden horse invented by Odysseus). From this moment on, the folklore cunning, who is the "destroyer of cities", is heroized. Before us appears the brave Odysseus. Mythology is replenished with many interesting stories about him.
Image of Odysseus
Odysseus is the most striking figure of the Ionian stage of the epic. The king of Ithaca is the bearer of tireless energy, practical intelligence, the ability to navigate difficult life circumstances, the ability to speak convincingly and eloquently, to deal with people. In his image, in comparison with the heroes of other myths, earlier (for example, such as Ajax Telamonides, Diomedesor Achilles), a clear novelty is noticeable. Odysseus wins not only with weapons, but also with mind and word. He goes to the Trojan camp with Diomedes. However, bringing the warriors seduced by Thersites into obedience, he not only beats Thersites and exposes him to ridicule, but also utters a fiery, inspired speech, which arouses the fighting fervor of the troops. Odysseus is even more consistent with the heroism of Homer's Iliad when he goes to Achilles as one of the ambassadors or during a speech in the council. Here he utters words that no mortal can compete with. This is the hero that Homer glorified in his work.
Odysseus is "great in heart and soul", "glorious with a spear". Only Philoctetes excelled him in archery. This is noted by Homer. Odysseus in his image is "flawless". Nevertheless, the hero himself admits to Alkinos that among people he is famous for his cunning inventions. Athena confirms that it is difficult even for a god to compete with him in deceit and cunning. Such is Odysseus. The mythology of ancient Greece introduces us to many stories associated with it. Let's briefly talk about the most famous.
How Odysseus proved himself before the start of the Trojan War
Odysseus managed to prove himself even before the start of the Trojan War. He was among the many suitors of the beautiful Queen Helen, but he preferred Penelope, her cousin, Tyndareus' niece, who became his wife.
After Paris kidnapped Helen, this hero must participate in the campaign against Troy. Odysseus,not wanting to leave his wife and newborn son Telemachus, he pretends to be insane. However, Palamedes exposes him in pretense (Odysseus subsequently killed him for this), having tested the hero on his paternal love. Odysseus sets off for Troy with 12 ships. He helps the Greeks locate Achilles, whom Thetis hid on about. Skyros, and also to find him among the maids of the daughter of King Lycomedes (Deidamia). After that, Odysseus is called to deliver Iphigenia to Aulis. She was doomed to be slaughtered by Artemis. The Greeks, on his advice, leave the wounded Philoctetes on about. Lemnos. Subsequently, he will bring him in the 10th year of the war near Troy.
Odysseus, before the start of the war, goes with Menelaus to Troy, trying in vain to settle the matter amicably. During the siege, he takes revenge on Palamedes, whom he considers an enemy. Odysseus in the last year of the war captures Dolon, a Trojan scout, and makes a sortie with Diomedes against King Res, who has just arrived to the aid of the Trojans. After the death of Achilles, the hero of interest to us was given his armor, which was also claimed by Ajax Telamonides. Odysseus, having captured Helen (a Trojan soothsayer), learns from him that in order to win it is necessary to take possession of the statue of Pallas Athena, which is located in Troy in the temple of this goddess. The king of Ithaca, disguised as a beggar, sneaks into the besieged city. He steals the statue. In addition, Odysseus, according to one version, came up with the idea of creating a wooden horse.
Opposition of two worlds
In the biography of Odysseus, adventurous and fabulous stories are permeated with the motif of suffering. This hero, with his constantpiety gets into situations in which either he or his companions violate it. This leads to more death and suffering. The severity and cruelty of Odysseus is the property of archaic heroics. All this recedes into the background, giving place to intellectual heroism. The hero is patronized by Athena. In the "Odyssey" the terrible ancient world is characteristically contrasted, in which sorcerers, cannibals, magic, Poseidon and Polyphemus reign, and rich in plans, smart Athena, who leads the hero to his homeland, despite all the obstacles. Thanks to her, Odysseus is saved from the world of dangerous miracles that captivate him.
Not only Olympians help this hero. He forces himself and Kirk to serve, turning evil sorcery into good. Odysseus fearlessly goes to Hades with the realization of his future. No wonder the gods are afraid that if they do not return him home, Odysseus, "contrary to fate", will return himself. Therefore, they patronize this hero.
How Odysseus' homecoming begins
Odysseus, whose homeland is Ithaca, tried to return home for a long time. It took 10 years for his return, which begins with the fall of Troy. The storm threw his ships into the land of the Kikons, where he had to confront them. Odysseus ravaged the city of Ismar, but then was forced to retreat under the onslaught of the enemy, having suffered heavy losses. After 9 days, he got to the Lotus-eaters, and after that - to the country of the Cyclopes.
Odysseus at the Cyclopes
Here, together with 12 companions, he became a prisoner of the one-eyed Polyphemus, the giant ogre. Having lost 6 comrades, he got drunkgiant with Thracian wine.
When Polyphemus fell asleep, Odysseus gouged out his eye with a pointed stake. The hero, together with his companions, got out of the cave in the following way: clinging his hands to the wool of the rams, which the giant released every morning to the pasture. Odysseus, while on the ship, called himself blinded by Polyphemus. He called on him the curse of Poseidon, his father. His anger will haunt Odysseus in the future, until his return to his homeland.
Odysseus on Eola Island
Odysseus, the myth of whose return we describe, then finds himself on the island of Eol, the god of the winds. Here, as a gift, he receives a fur with contrary winds tied in it. These winds should make it easier for travelers to return. They bring the fleet of Odysseus closer to Ithaca, but here his companions decide to untie the fur just out of curiosity. The winds that have broken free again nail the fleet to about. Eola. He refuses to help the hero further.
At the sorceress Kirk
After Odysseus's fleet is attacked by ogres-cannibals Laestrygons, only Odysseus's ship is saved from 12 ships. He comes to Fr. Eya, where the sorceress Kirk rules. She turns half of the hero's companions, whom he sent out for reconnaissance, into pigs. The same fate threatens Odysseus himself. However, Hermes supplied him with the miraculous root "moth", which averts the action of magic. The Hero forces Kirk to restore his injured comrades to human form. They spend a year on this island.
Odysseus and the Sirens
Odysseus visits the underworld on Kirka's advice. He learns from the shadow of Tiresias, the deceased soothsayer, about the dangers that threaten him on the way to his homeland, as well as in his own house, located in Ithaca. The ship of Odysseus, leaving the island, sails past the coast. Here sailors are lured to the sharp coastal rocks by sweet-voiced sirens. Odysseus plugs the ears of his companions with wax, thanks to which he manages to avoid danger. He himself listens to their singing, tied to the mast. The hero's ship manages to safely pass the rocks floating in the sea, and also pass through the narrow strait between Scylla and Charybdis. Scylla, a six-headed monster, manages to drag six of his comrades off the ship and eat them.
The sacred cows of Helios and the wrath of Zeus
On about. Thrinakia Odyssey awaits a new test. The sacred cows of Helios graze here. Odysseus, warned by Tiresias, tells his comrades that they should not encroach on these animals. However, they are starving and decide to disobey him. Comrades, taking advantage of the fact that Odysseus fell asleep, kill cows and eat their meat, despite the bad omens accompanying the meal. Zeus, in punishment for this blasphemy, throws lightning at the ship of Odysseus, who went to sea. All his companions perish, and he himself manages to escape on a collapsed mast. A few days later, Odysseus is nailed to Fr. Ogygia. The nymph Calypso, who lives here, keeps the hero at her place for 7 years, until, at the insistence of Athena, the gods order him to be released to his homeland.
Howcomes to the homeland of Odysseus
His journey ends as follows. Odysseus builds a raft on which he sets sail. After 17 days, he sees land. But then Poseidon discovers him and unleashes a storm on the raft, so Odysseus is forced to resort to the last resort - he decides to use the magic cover of Leucothea. The hero swims to the island of Scheria. The people of the feacs live here. Odysseus, with the help of Nausicaa (the princess), finds his way to the palace of Alcinous, the Phaeacian king. He participates in a feast where the narrator Demodocus sings a song about the capture of Troy.
Odysseus, because of the surging memories, cannot hold back his tears. He identifies himself and begins a story about what he has experienced over the years. The people of the Feacs collect rich gifts for him. With their help, Odysseus gets home on a fast ship.
The Motherland, however, does not meet the hero very hospitably.
Murder of suitors
Odysseus will not be recognized as Athena transforms him. He watches the atrocities of the suitors, who force Penelope to take a new husband. The king of Ithaca comes to grips with Ir. He experiences all sorts of bullying from potential suitors. Odysseus, in a conversation with Penelope, pretends to be a Cretan who once met her husband. He tries to inspire the woman with confidence that her husband will return. Meanwhile, Eurycleia's nanny, whom the wife of Odysseus instructs to wash his feet, recognizes him by the scar, but keeps the secret under pain of punishment. At the suggestion of Athena Penelopeorganizes a competition in archery, which belongs to Odysseus. None of the applicants can even pull the string. Then Odysseus takes a bow and with the help of Athena, together with Telemachus, kills his offenders. Laertes and Penelope, who had lost hope of his return, he makes himself known by signs known only to them. Athena, with the consent of Zeus, establishes peace between the king of Ithaca and the relatives of the murdered suitors. After that, Odysseus reigns peacefully.
Versions of the last years of Odysseus's life
Telegon (the son of Kirk and Odysseus) arrives in Ithaca during one of his absences. He was sent by his mother to find Odysseus. A battle takes place between the arrival and the king of Ithaca. Telegon in a duel mortally wounds his father, whom he does not recognize. After a belated identification, according to one version, he takes his body for burial to the Kirk. According to other versions, the king of Ithaca dies peacefully in Epirus or Aetolia, where he was honored as a hero with the gift of posthumous divination. Probably, the local cult of Odysseus existed for a long time. After a while, it spread throughout Italy.
Odysseus gained great popularity. The mythology of ancient Greece has gained great popularity in our days. Ancient Greek myths are known and loved by people all over the world.
