Almost One of the Gods. The Odyssey, by Homer Essay Example for Free

Almost One of the Gods. The Odyssey, by Homer Essay An epic hero is one who does not act irrationally and contemplates his actions and their implications. Odysseus, of Homers The Odyssey, is an appropriate epic hero because he embodies the values of bravery, intelligence, astuteness, and competency. Numerous examples are found throughout The Odyssey. Such illustrations include Odysseus conflict with the Cyclops, the Sirens, and Scylla and Charybdis. First, Odysseus proves that he is a mortal laudable of being dubbed an epic hero during his conflict with the Cyclops. Odysseus shows evidence of his intellectual abilities by first devising a plan to disable the Cyclops and then by cleverly telling the Cyclops that his name is Noman. Odysseus exemplifies his physical strength by putting his plan into action and ramming a monstrous spear into the Cyclops eye. Later, when the Cyclops calls for help, he says that Noman is doing harm to him. Another event in which Odysseus displays his physical and intellectual abilities is during his passing of the Sirens. Odysseus shows that he has wisdom by listening to the goddess Circes advice and putting wax into his crews ears so they will not take notice of the Sirens and try to swim across the ocean to them. He also has his crew lash him to the mast so he can listen to the Sirens without being able to jump out of the boat. This incident also tells of Odysseus physical force because when he attempts to free himself from the mast the crewmen have to fasten him down even tighter. Finally, Odysseus confirms his great intellectual aptitudes by getting past Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus, following Circes instructions, avoids Charybdis, and chooses the side of the six-headed monster, Scylla. Odysseus recognizes that the six-headed beast is too large for him to mà ªlà ©e with and rows very swiftly, successfully surpassing it. In conclusion, Odysseus is a perfect example of an epic hero. Odysseus has all of the traits of an epic hero. He has verified these qualities in many intricate situations in which he always gets out of and is always prepared for.

Free Color Purple Essays: Strength of the Black Woman Revealed :: Color Purple Essays

Strength of the Black Woman Revealed in The Color Purple  Ã‚   The story tells of one lady who, through fruition and hardship, discovers the proficient, content, and proud woman repressed inside of a young "shut-mouthed" girl. The Color Purple, the third novel written by the Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker, has been both respected and berated in numerous essays and reviews. Although the critics agree to disagree about many aspects of this novel one thing is clear, The Color Purple affirms "the survival and liberation of black women through the strength and wisdom of others." (Draper, 1810) In Walker's personal view, the black woman's history falls into three stages; the woman suspended, the artist thwarted and hindered in her desires to create, living through two centuries when her main role was to be cheap source of cheap labor in the American society, and the modern woman. (Washington, 139) The feminist Alice Walker writes in a circulatory pattern. Her female characters move in a common three-stage cycle: 1)the suspended woman-cruelly exploited, and spirits and bodies mutilated, 2)the thwarted woman-desires most to be a part of mainstream American life, and 3)the modern woman-exhibits the qualities of the developing emergent model. Before Celie, our main character, makes her way into the cycle the story sets her as a child, eager to learn, love, and enjoying life. She and Nettie, her, sister attend school on a regular basis, complete all of their chores, and still make time to talk, to play, and/or to just spend time together. Then, just as Celie reaches womanhood, s he finds her way into the first stage: the suspended woman. The suspended woman plays the role of the inclement exploit with a warped spirit as well as body. Celie's body is first desecrated through her stepfather's sexual misconduct. Succeeding this comes continuing sexual and physical abuse by her husband Mr. ______. Here, Celie slips into the second stage: the thwarted woman. In this stage the character desires most to become a part of mainstream American society. In most cases, they are also victims of psychological abuse that alienates them from their roots and real contact to the world. The desecration and abuse her body survives, notwithstanding, her spirit is broken when not only have her children been taken away from her by her stepfather, but Nettie is forced, by Albert, to leave he and Celie's house.

What are the most important weaknesses of the environmental optimist position?

The essay provides a fairly sound critique of the environmental optimist position. However, it also has a number of important drawbacks. The article cites global warming as the evidence of inadequacy of environmental optimism. However, there is still a debate going on in scientific circles concerning the causes of global warming. There is no persuasive evidence that global warming is induced by human activity. Therefore, citing global warming as an example of inadequacy of environmental optimism is a risky strategy. The second argument used to refute environmental optimist position is formulated in a confusing way. It is not before the middle of essay that the actual claim is made in a comprehensible manner. The claim itself is disputable: the essay states that in the environmental optimist view, there is a positive correlation between the economy and the environment; however, evidence proves otherwise. The essay supports this statement by showing negative causal relationship between economic development and pollution. However, the article makes a factual mistake by listing China and India as developed countries; in fact, they are developing countries with low environmental standards and high industrial output, therefore they are among largest contributors to pollution. Consumerism is also cited as a problem that is getting amplified rather than solved by industrial development. However, the essay ignores the ongoing shift from material values to post-material values (e. g. solidarity, national self-identification, community, culture etc. ) that is happening in many European countries and catches on in the U. S. This trend might be the turning point in the relations between humankind and environment. Therefore, environmental optimism remains a credible theory.

Iago is Portrayed as the Greater Villain in Shakespeares...

â€Å"Othello† is a tragic play of jealousy, racism and struggle for power. Right from the beginning, Shakespeare has created vigorous dialogue and conflicting situations. There is a direct contrast between black and white in this play, with black meaning something negative and evil and white meaning pure and fairness. The clash between these two colours leads to severe hatred and enmity between a few people. Othello is a black army general in the service of the Venetian government. Iago is Othello’s standard bearer. I think that Iago is the greater villain. Right from the beginning, because of his vicious and offensive language, we are made aware that Iago is a negative and evil character. Iago says about Othello: â€Å"I hate the moor†.†¦show more content†¦Iago also talks about Venetian women in an insulting manner: â€Å"In Venice, they do let god see the pranks they dare not show their husbands.† This shows what kind of social background he has had and his low opinion of women. Iago also has a very low opinion of his wife who is also a Venetian woman. He thinks she has slept with both cassio and Othello: â€Å"It is thought abroad that the moor ‘twixt my sheets he’s done my office†/ â€Å"For I fear Cassio with my night cap too.† This goes to show that Iago is paranoid and insecure. This insecurity may be the reason he thinks of everyone in a negative light. Iago also uses derogatory terms like â€Å"guinea hen† and â€Å"a fig†. Iago’s language is indecent and shows the corruption of his mind. However, Othello has a very different culture and social background from Iago. Othello knows how to respect women and does not think lowly of them. His language is also powerful and dramatic and the language that he uses reflects his lofty ideals: â€Å"From year to year - the battles I have passed / the cannibals that each other eat.† Othellohas led an amusing life in the way that he has done and seen certain things that most people could only imagine. His language here is also very emotive. It appeals to our emotions. We can feel the excitement as wellShow MoreRelatedThe Tragedy Of Othello By William Shakespeare757 Words   |  4 Pages The Tragedy of Othello by William Shakespeare William Shakespeare uses many literary devices to enhance and provide greater complexity in his works. More specifically, the theme, symbolism, and dramatic irony are used to enrich Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello. The plot is definitely engaging but the theme allows for an universal human correspondence, furthering the depth of the author’s message. The element of symbolism contributes to the theme of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Symbolism expressesRead MoreIago, By William Shakespeare1563 Words   |  7 Pagescompelling and sophisticated villain (Bachelorandmaster, n.d., n.p.).† When it comes to the discussion of Shakespeare’s malicious characters, Iago seems to be one of a kind. 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Othello is tragic hero because he has a fault in his character that brings his death to others. Unquestionably, Othellos downfall is brought about during the course of this Shakespearean drama. Othello is a general and others such as Iago and Roderigo who are envious of theRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Ghost 2757 Words   |  12 Pagesavoid self-analysis which make her seem incapable of coming to grips with unpleasantness. She repeats the phrase ‘speak no more’ because Hamlet brings about her sudden recognition of the delinquency of her second marriage. In this scene Gertrude is portrayed as a fragile woman susceptible to unjustly treatment. It is as if she has been put on trial while Hamlet accuses her of committing adultery (‘makes marriage vows/ As false as dicers’ oaths), conspiring with Claudius in the killing of her ex-husbandRead MoreEssay on The Moor in the Works of William Shakespeare4150 Words   |  17 PagesThe Sources and Representations of the Moor in the Works of Shakespeare      Ã‚  Ã‚   One theme consistently reemployed throughout Shakespeares plays is that of the Other. The Other is usually characterized as a character that is somehow separated, stigmatized, or noted as being different from the mainstream ideal. For the Elizabethan England of Shakespeares time, it may have been a self-defensive maneuver against the encroachment of something which threatened too close to home (Bartels 450). BryantRead MoreComparative essay - Othello/Macbeth tragic heroes2547 Words   |  11 Pagesï » ¿Coursework Unit 1: ‘Many critics have argued that Othello is not a true Shakespearean tragic hero. 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