Archetypes in the Odessey Essay Example

9, 4-10). Sirens are creature wit the head of a women and the body of a bird.To lure men in they sing a song to enchant them and lead their ships to the rocks, and ultimately their death. Sirens are basically the staple of “the temptress” because they lure men to their death. Circe warns Odysseus on his way home about the Sirens to keep him away from danger.

Another example of an archetype in “The Odyssey” in the father- son conflict. When Odysseus’ son is around ten years old Odysseus leaves for Troy. Leaving Telemachus to grow up without a father. In book 16 it says, Think of a man who’s dear and only son, born to him in exile, reared with labor, has lived ten years abroad and now returns; How would that man embrace his son! ” (Homer, 16, 19-22).

Odysseus left Telemachus without a father for many years while he was at sea. Which would probably cause tension and doubtfulness in Telemachus when his father return. Due to the fact his has been gone for so many years. Another example of the father-son conflict is when Odysseus confronts Telemachus after Athena changes his clothes, “‘No god.Why take me for a god? No, no.

I am that father whom your boyhood lacked and suffered pain for lack of. I am he. ’ Held back for too long, the tears an down his cheeks as he embraced his son..

. ‘You cannot be my father Odysseus... ’” (Homer, 16, 77-84).

Because Telemachus has never really been with his father because he has been gone for so many years, it would make sense that he

has doubts wether this man that just showed up is his father. Why should Telemachus beleive this man that just showed up and claimed to be his father?After all the men that have tried to be with Penelope in Odysseus’ absence he has the common sense to think that maybe someone is playing a cruel trick on him to be with Penelope. Many of the archetypes in this story were the origin for the archetypes used in todays literature. Two examples in “The Odyssey” are the temptress and the father-son conflict. “The Odyssey”’s use of archetypes to evoke mood in the story is very well developed and detailed.

Archetypes are used in many if not all works of literature and are used specifically well and abundantly in this epic poem. Works Cited The Odyssey