Zack Dehnhardt- Final Exam Essay

The Odyssey is a perfect example of the Hero's Journey because Odysseus completes the entire Hero's Journey from the time he leaves Troy to the time he slays the suitors and reclaims his kingdom. In this essay, I will go through each event and theme of the Hero's Journey, and explain what Odysseus did in each one.

The Separation

The Calling: Odysseus' calling began when he was getting ready to leave Troy. He and his men were heading to Ithaca, and stopped off at another kingdom. Once there, they killed everyone in that kingdom. Because of this, Poseidon cast them out to sea. The Calling best represents this phase of Odysseus' journey because it is the very first part of the journey.
The Threshold: Poseidon cast Odysseus' men into the sea, and they eventually washed up on the isle of the Lotus Eaters. When three of Odysseus' men ate the petals of the Lotus, they forgot all about their homes, and never wanted to leave. However, Odysseus and some of his other men forced the men back into the boat, and tied them to the floor so that they didn't try to jump out and swim back until the Lotus' effects wore off. The Threshold best represents this part of the Hero's Journey because now Odysseus has reached the point where there is no turning back.
The Descent: By the time Odysseus and his men made it to The Descent stage of the Hero's Journey, they were at the isle of the Laestrygonians. When the men came onshore, the vicious Laestrygonians killed and ate many of Odysseus' men before they fled to the seas once more. They continued sailing, completely usure of where they will land next. This part is best illustrated by The Descent because Odysseus and his men are descending into the Abyss right away.

The Initiation

The Abyss: Odysseus and his men come upon the isle of the Cyclopes. There, they meet a cyclops called Polyphemus, who traps them in his cave, and eats two of Odysseus' men. Odysseus drugs him with wine, and then stabs Polyphemus in the eye with a sharpened log heated in a campfire. Polyphemus is blinded, and he makes his way to the door to the cave, and opens it. When Odysseus and his men try to get out, Poly. blocks them. So Odysseus ties his men underneath Polyphemus' sheep, and they make it out. When they escape, Polyphemus cries out to his father, Poseidon, to avenge him. When they set out again Poseidon sends the ship away, towards the isle of the Witch Circe. The Abyss best represents this part of the Hero's Journey because they are now in completely unknown lands.

The Mentor: Odysseus and his men come upon the isle of the witch Circe, and she turns Odysseus' men into pigs. Odysseus eats some garlic, and then confronts her. When Circe tries to turn Odysseus into a pig, it doesn't work because of the garlic. Then Circe turns all of the pigs back into men, and tells Odysseus to go to the Land of the Dead to talk to the blind prophet Tereisius. The Mentor best suits this part because Circe guides Odysseus into the next part of his Journey.

The Transformation: Tereisius tells Odysseus that they will come upon the cattle of the sun god Helios. If they slay the cattle, they will all be killed except for Odysseus. If they don't they will all survive and get back to Ithaca. When they make it to the land of Helios, Odysseus' men betray him and kill all of the cattle. After they leave the island, Helios destroys their ship, and only Odysseus survives. He washes up on the isle of Calpsyo, and the enchantress keeps him there for twenty years. This part of the Journey is best called the Transformation because it's the longest part of the HJ and Odysseus was in it for 20 years.

The Return

The Creation: Odysseus arrives at Ithaca to find his house overrun by suitors intent on marrying Penelope, his wife. Odysseus sneaks in disguised as a beggar, and then traps all of the suitors and kills them with the aid of his son, Telemachus, the cowherd and the swineherd. This section is best called the Return because it is the last part of the Hero's Journey.