(Teacher)
The main idea is to look at the statement above and related it through the chosen literature, The Odyssey by Homer. Connecting the idea of revolting against authority. This paper will attempt to show how difficult it was for Odysseus during his journey, how he faced revolts in several of his adventures and how difficult it is to wear the crown.
The story begins with Odysseus, the Greek hero who conquered the city of Troy. When we start the story we find that he and his crew have not yet managed to get home to the kingdom in Ithaca. While he has been gone, there has been a large group of suiters decided to start hanging out, each one was attempting to win the hand of Odysseus’ wife, Penelope. She has been a faithful wife in his absence, however, the men have tried to take over anyway. Their son, Prince Telemachus does not have the confidence that his father has, so even through he wants to toss the men out, he does not even try. There is even talk among the men to assassinate the prince. So he can gain access to the throne. (Homer. and Fitzgerald)
Everyone believes that Odysseus must be dead, because he has not returned home for over ten years. During his eventful journey home, he is met by several challenges, such as Calypso, who fell in love for Odysseus, and she imprisoned him. He still wanted to get home to his wife and son. HE lost his crew and his ship and waited for the gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus to decide his fate. Finally, Athena agrees to help the prince. She dresses up as the grandfather and persuades the prince to gather a meeting of officials. Athena also gets him ready to take a grand journey to Sparta and Pylos. On this journey, he learns that his father is still alive, but he is trapped by Calypso on her island. The Prince decides to go home, however one of the nasty suitors is planning to get rid of him when the prince reaches the port. (Homer. and Fitzgerald)
Meanwhile, back on Mt. Olympus, Zeus decides to send Hermes to help Odysseus get away from Calypso. Hermes convinces Calypso to release Odysseus and allow him to go home. While Odysseus is sailing home, he is caught by Poseidon who destroys his ship again. Apparently he was still upset that Odysseus blinded his cyclops son and wanted revenge. Athena swoops down to save the hero from Poseidon and Odysseus ends up at Sharia, which is where the Phaeacians live. The beautiful princess, Nausicaä is enamored with him and takes him home to the palace. When he explains who he is, the king and queen agree to give him a safe passage back home to Ithica in exchange for some of his time. They wanted to hear stories of his journeys. (Homer. and Fitzgerald)
For the rest of his time at the castle, he reveals his adventures. When he is finished, his hosts stay true to their word and return him to Ithaca where he is dressed as a beggar in a disguise that Athena put on him to not only keep him safe, but so he could figure out what his next move was. His wine herd recognizes him and gives him wine to nourish him, then he encounters his son who makes a plan with him to overthrow all of the men who have tried to gain access to the throne. (Homer. and Fitzgerald)
Odysseus entered the palace, still dressed as a beggar. The other suitors insulted him and abused him verbally. He took it will and continued on his quest to follow through with the plan his son and he made the previous day. However, his old nurse recognized him, but she is loyal and swears to keep it a secret. Penelope suspects that the beggar is her husband and devises a plan to have an archery contest. Knowing that only her husband could wield his own bow, she tells everyone that they have to string the bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axes. However, no one can except Odysseus. After he does, he turns to shoot everyone with his bow and kills them all with some help from his son and a few servants. (Homer. and Fitzgerald)
After all of the suitors have been killed, he takes off his beggar costume and reveals that he is the king, and envelopes his wife with a loving embrace. After this wonderful reunion, he decides to go visit his father. When he gets there the family members of the dead suitors want revenge and seek to destroy him. However, his father joins in, kills one of the fathers and stops the attack. (Homer. and Fitzgerald)
Meanwhile, Zeus steps in and sends Athena to create peace in the land once more. After this, Odysseus lays back and enjoys his life at home with his lovely wife and son. He does not go on any more adventures, much to his family’s delight. It is implied that peace is restored throughout the land. (Homer. and Fitzgerald)
The entire ordeal in the story of Odysseus shows one example of how people can respond in a type of revolt or rebellion when the leader is gone. It is important to remember that when there is no leadership, first people will do everything they were forbidden to do, then things will most likely settle down, and if the leadership is not restored, things can become chaotic. However, when the leadership is restored, then peace can reign once more. It seems like a difficult task for someone to hold the position of leader, such as a king, a president, or even a queen. Those who are in the position to rule must allow people a chance to display peaceful demonstrations of disagreement about how things are going in order to feel like the little bit of rebellion is working and they have changed the rules.
Works Cited
Homer., and Robert Fitzgerald. The Odyssey. Garden City, N.Y.: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1961. Print.
