Monday, September 21, 2015
Fame -- I Want to Live Forever
Odysseus demonstrates a passionate desire for kleos or fame through much of the Odyssey. Consider, for example, his taunting Polyphemus with his name as he escapes his island (and there are other examples) Yet, is it presented as an unequivocally good pursuit? Does the search for kleos help or hinder his journey? What about situations in which he disguises his identity? What is the importance of kleos to Odysseus and the Odyssey (the two may not be the same answer)?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Odysseus’s blind pursuit of fame has brought him unnecessary troubles. As mentioned in the question, Odysseus blinded and humiliated Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon. Polyphemus then prayed to his father to curse Odysseus and his men. He said, “[Odysseus] never reaches home…/and come a broken man—all shipmates lost…/and let him find a world of pain at home!”(9.590-595) In this incident, Odysseus’s pursuit of fame and arrogance has angered Poseidon. As mentioned earlier in Book V, Poseidon responded to Polyphemus’s prayer by destroying all of Odysseus’s men and ships, leaving him alone at the near state of death. Note that the time order is not according to the book order, as the Polyphemus story is a flash back that happened before the incidents described in Book V. However, this is not the only case, when Odysseus landed on the island where Circe lived, his fame again has hindered his journey to home. When Circe met him, she said, “You must be Odysseus, man of twists and turns—/Hermes the giant-killer, god of the golden wand,/ he always said you’d come…” (10.366-68) Odysseus made himself so famous that the lustrous Circe who lived alone on an island has heard. Since she called Odysseus a man of twists and turns, it can be inferred that she finds Odysseus as an experienced, strong, and attractive man. Due to the fame of Odysseus, Circe trapped Odysseus to stay with her for an entire year. However, Odysseus finally learned his lesson as he no longer bragged in front of the monster Scylla, he did not mention his name at all and was able to escape from it with some casualties. The importance of Keleos in to Odysseus seems like a dangerous desire, as the more he is well known, the more danger he is in. Despite that, Odysseus seems to still enjoy fame as he was admired by Alcinous and his people. Regarding the book Odyssey, the only reason the book exists is because of the Keleos of Odysseus. In other words, if Odysseus did not pursue for Keleos, the book Odyssey would most likely not exist.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the story Odysseus chases fame, or kleos, to make his name everlasting throughout the history of the world. An example of when Odysseus tried to do this is after he had blinded Polyphemus, a cyclops and son of Poseidon, Odysseus says,
ReplyDelete“Cyclops-
if any man on the face of the earth should ask you
who blinded you, shamed you so-say Odysseus,
raider of cities, he gouged out your eye,
Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca.” (9. 558-562)
By doing this after he had blinded Polyphemus I fell was a bad idea because now that Polyphemus knows his real name he can tell his father Poseidon, and that wouldn’t make Poseidon happy if someone were to hurt one of his sons. Now that Odysseus had blinded Polyphemus now Poseidon hates Odysseus and his crew. Odysseus’ search for kleos hinders his journey because while in his search for fame, Odysseus angered the god that shakes the earth, Poseidon. Poseidon hinders Odysseus and his companion’s journey by making it much longer and harder than it should’ve. One way he does this is by creating a storm that threw his boat in the wrong direction therefore making his journey longer, and the storm also broke the mast of the boat making the journey harder because they had to stop and fix the mast. When he disguises his identity I think his journey goes much smoother because people don’t know who he is, and this makes them not worry about why he is famous, which is for the horse in the Trojan War. Kleos, or fame, is important to Odysseus because he wants to be remembered for as long as people live. Although it is impossible to live forever, there is a way to make yourself famous and have your name remembered throughout the history of the world. This is Odysseus’ understanding of immortality, he knows he can’t live forever, but he does know that he can make himself remembered forever by making a name for himself while he is alive. In conclusion, that is how kleos effects Odysseus and the way he acts in the Odyssey.
The pursuit of fame, or kleos, can be interpreted as both dangerous and helpful when viewing Odysseus’s actions in the Odyssey. Odysseus, a King who intends to stamp his name into man’s mind forever, embraces fate, often going out of his way to attribute himself to his achievements. After blinding the mighty Cyclops, Polyphemus, Odysseus proudly declares his name to the lumbering giant, aware that it will agitate him. Odysseus boasts,
ReplyDelete“Cyclops-
if any man on the face of the earth should ask you
who blinded you, shamed you so- say Odysseus,
raider of cities, he gouged out your eye,
Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca” (9.558-562).
These prideful words consequence in Polyphemus hurling huge boulders at Odysseus’s ship, resulting in near death for Odysseus and his crew. This fame that Odysseus so recklessly pursues does often endanger him as in this case, however it also plays a major factor in aiding him and others associated with him throughout their journeys. Although the host-guest relationship is sacred in ancient Greek culture, having a close relationship with the host will only improve one’s experience and treatment. Odysseus, widely known for his strategical prowess during the Trojan War, has a reputation amongst many of his old comrades, a fact that helps Telemachus, Odysseus’s son, during his journey in pursuit of his father. When Telemachus arrives at King Menelaus’s court, he is welcomed with kindness and pomp, but when he is discovered to be Odysseus’s son, he is treated with the highest honors. Odysseus’s pursuit of fame is not only to satisfy his own hubris, but for insurance; those who know his name and accomplishments are sure to treat him well. His strength may dwindle and fade, but as long as his name rests on the lips of men across the world, his self-worth will be validated, he and his kin will be supported by his comrades, and the dangers that his words once brought will be replaced by a sense of security and satisfaction.
Throughout The Odyssey Odysseus demonstrates a need for fame. During Odysseus’ voyage home his desire for kleos, or fame, gets him into numerous troubling situations. Odysseus and his crew get trapped in a deadly situation where the cyclops, Polyphemus, will not let them leave the island but, Odysseus using his cunning, strategic skills develops a plan to escape from the island. The plan involved blinding the cyclops and telling him that Odysseus’ name is Nobody so when Polyphemus calls out for help and says Nobody is attacking him the other cyclops think there is no problem. The plan goes swiftly as expected, but just as the Odysseus and his crew are leaving the island he calls out
ReplyDelete“Cyclops-
if any man on the face of this earth should ask you
who blinded you, shamed you so- say Odysseus
raider of cities, he gouged out your eye,
Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithica!” (9.558-562)
Odysseus says this so his name might spread and be spoken reverence. When Odysseus shouted his name to the Cyclops he didn’t think of the potential risk, however Polyphemus is Poseidon’s son and he calls out to his father to cursed Odysseus. Poseidon heard his son’s prayer and responded by putting a curse on Odysseus. The curse is what has been preventing Odysseus from returning home. The curse states that Odysseus shall never reach home or that when he does he shall return a broken man. Because of this curse Odysseus is stranded at sea for ten years. All of this could have been avoided if Odysseus did not seek Kleos. Because of Odysseus’ arrogance and desire for fame a short trip home turned into a grueling ten year journey.
Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus seeks fame during his whole journey. Odysseus often loses focus, and spends too much time trying to achieve a high status. Like mentioned with Polyphemus, Odysseus likes to flaunt his name, bringing attention to himself. Also, Odysseus makes sure that people know exactly who is, throwing his hometown and parents’ names out into the world. Odysseus takes fame to be way more than it actually is, and after what he has done he could even be considered infamous. I also feel that Odysseus tries to hide his identity because of fame. He notices the power of curiosity, and wants people to wonder about who he is. This makes the reveal of his name even more powerful once the person discovers who Odysseus is. Fame is a very important part of the Odyssey because it puts a broad feeling into the book. There are no typed of communication but messages and person to person. This means that when someone like Odysseus has his name known across the world, he is very, very famous. Fame is also important to the Odyssey because it brings a purpose. Despite there being a collection of books, the idea of fame brings a greater purpose to the epic, allowing the reader to have a more intense involvement.
ReplyDelete