Odysseus - Ancient History - Research Paper Example

 Odysseus - Ancient History Greek civilization is one the oldest civilizations known to mankind. Whole world owes to the ancient Greek civilization due to the reason that science, drama and even literature were first introduced by Greeks. Trojan War is an important event in the ancient Greek civilization. Greeks tried their best to get Troy conquered but failed. Troy was considered as a gate to Persian region. It was believed by Greek that the city can only be conquered if deadly bow of Hercules and his owner is available for assistance. This bow was possessed by a Great War hero of the past abounded by Greeks themselves ten years ago at the island of Lemons. War hero Philoctetes was left on the island by Greeks as they believed that Philoctetes was carrying a wound with which he cannot survive. After ten years of continuous struggle, in order to capture Troy. Greek army learned from an oracle that city cannot be conquered unless Philoctetes, having the intended bow of Hercules, come to their rescue. To persuade Philoctetes for helping them they sent a person named Diomed (Odysseus). Diomed succeeded in his mission and got to the Greek camp to share victory. This simple story was converted into drama and few of films are also based on this story. It was first converted into dramatic plot by Aeschylus, representing Philoctetes as a person who was embittered by his sufferings due to abundance of Greek army he had served for. His attitude towards Greeks was very hostile as expected. Diomed narrated as Odysseus in the dramatic plot therefore was assigned with a difficult task. He concealed his identity because of the reason that, if recognized by Philoctetes; it was sure that he will be killed. He also managed to won the trust from Philoctetes by telling him a fantasized story about miserable condition of Greek army having continuous defeat on the front of Troy. He gained possession of bow and fraud Philoctetes. Philoctetes was once again deprived of even his means of living. Odysseus introduced himself and his real identity. He was than successful in persuading Philoctetes to come with him to Troy. This plot made this story to reach its heights yet the dramatic flavor of Aeschylus in my opinion was missing. Aeschylus no doubt set an example for the others to follow and add flavor to the story. Euripides followed the example set by Aeschylus. He also introduced a fresh interest in story by introducing Trojan ambassadors who came to island to fight against the plan of Odysseus and expose his real identity to Philoctetes. Philoctetes was off course in doubt about the identity of Philoctetes; Trojan ambassadors arrived at that time and tried to make Philoctetes aware and reject all the offers made by Greeks. Against this lobby of Trojans Odysseus also replied in order to stop them. He tried to raise emotion of patriotism in the heart of Philoctetes. It created an interesting climax in the dramatic plot. Philoctetes fall to this emotion of patriotism and went in favor to join Greek army again. These two plots were focused on the character of Odysseus and audiences were listening to the character played by Odysseus up to this point. Sophocles which came at the last of the chain of the writers of plot tried to change focus of audiences from Odysseus to Philoctetes. Sophocles converted the whole plot in order to create deep interest and have a Psychological impact on the audiences or viewers also. Neoptolemus a new and young who was never seen or listened by Philoctetes was introduced in the play. Neoptolemus did not require hiding his identity as he was unknown and a complete stranger for Philoctetes. Neoptolemus was guided by Odysseus in the background. As Neptolemus gains the possession of the bow, Odysseus appears from behind. Later Neptolemus was ashamed for his fraud with a war hero. He returns the possession of bow to Philoctetes. At this point audiences feel that all the situation of the play had reached a dead lock. At last Hercules appears from the heaven and commands all the stake holders to obey the commands of gods. The order for Philoctetes was to rejoin Greek army which he did ultimately. Predecessors of Sophocles introduced Odysseus as a person whose identity should be hidden from Philoctetes as long as possible. In the plot of Sophocles Odysseus is hidden in the background and Neoptolemus acts as an agent for Odysseus and Greeks. Also creators of first two plots represent Lemon Island as an inhabitant island only Philoctetes living on it; while in the plot of Sophocles there were people present on the Island called Lemnians. The basic idea behind the play in my opinion is the role of moral values in an individual’s life. What is meant to be a fighter? How fight in the man’s with own self develops with time? Brain trauma caused to a fighter when abounded by his own army? How cunning of a person can win a simple heart of a fighter? How agents are used by authorities even in ancient times? The whole story is centered on the two roles one Philoctetes and other Odysseus. Philoctetes as a fighter serving with life on his hands for the Greek army is abounded by his own army; due to the wounds on him during battle thought incurable. Later, Philoctetes fights with his self in making a decision to join Greek army again or not. Second most significant role present in the play is Odysseus. It is amazing to know that even in the ancient times concepts like diplomacy and artificial intelligence were available. Odysseus; believed by whole Greek army to be a man of such a huge intelligence that can persuade a soldier to rejoin Greek army after he was left alone by the Greek army itself on an island alone bearing wounds that were supposed to be unhealed. All the plot writers of the drama Philoctetes including Sophocles have pictured Odysseus as a person which is capable of having wonderful artificial intelligence. He not only deceives an experienced and a person hostile against Greeks and Odysseus himself too; also he makes him agreed to rejoin Greek army in the end. Odysseus accomplished his mission. The concept of background command and control used by Odysseus is remarkable as he commands and controls the actions of a young Greek Neoptolemus until end. Another wonderful aspect of Odysseus’s personality is hiding the real identity of himself before Philoctetes; presenting a fake story regarding the misery of Greek army in the Trojan War in such a way that element of patriotism that was replaced by hate and hostility for Greek army is revived. Gaining trust of the enemy for the good of people and making the enemy follow instructions is the ultimate goal that is to be achieved by every intelligence agency even today. This goal was achieved in a wonderful way by Odysseus by persuading Philoctetes to rejoin Greek army. Also factors that can have emotional impact such as patriotism and religious responsibilities are used by intelligences even today. Odysseus used both of them to a maximum effect. Bow of Hercules and the fact that Philoctetes was an ex solider of Greek army; telling him a fake story sketching extreme misery of Greeks created an appeal in the heart of Philoctetes. Use of human intelligence that is use of Neoptolemus by Odysseus in the play is also amazing. Neoptolemus spoke and did as he was told to do by Odysseus. Most of the people take image of Odysseus as a negative personality which in my opinion is not right. Athens not only gave world ideas like democracy, arts, science and humanities but also provided the basics of intelligence in the form of Odysseus. No doubt character of Odysseus can be considered mile stone achieved by plotters of the drama. Another factor that is being used in the whole script is the value of emotion like friendship and individual trust over the trust of the whole group. In the eyes of Philoctetus friendship and patriotism is greater than individual emotions in the end. On the other hand; following orders for greater good of whole society is the only emotion that is important for Odysseus. Neoptolemus and Philoctetus considered and found friendship dominant before all the obligations. According to their perspective friendship is the best self ruling factor they have. Overall Philoctetus is a play which shows anxiety of Greek people when the sun of prosperity and progress was dying on them. Actions taken by administration to keep the glory of the Greek civilization compromising individual emotions like friendship, patriotism even religious affiliations were made. The concept of friendship that exists between the personalities of Neoptolemus and Phloctetus gave a new dimension to political thoughts. Fight between social obligations and individual personality is the major concern. Personal characteristics and moral values, in other words liberty and opportunities for all will lead to a development of a better society as well. Climax of drama when Neoptolemus tries to gain possession of bow and effect that friendship is being replaced by deceiving and disbelief is also of a great importance. It not only represents the emotions of an individual while experiencing such a situation but also it also shows that if this situation continuous then nature represented as Hercules will also get angry. Odysseus; despite all of his intelligence, deceiving and exploiting the situation capabilities loses before the power of nature shown as Hercules and his commands. Resulting in a victory of individual feelings of friendship and trust to win over the feelings of greater good and earning of greater power or land is the intended result plotter wants to emphasize. As lust of these things lead not only to the loss of individuals but also cause disaster for the great civilizations like Greek Civilization. Greeks dominated the whole world when they preferred the wishes of individuals to be full filled as compared to a country or federation. Their downfall also happened due to blind trust on the people like Odysseus. In my opinion people like Odysseus who can deceive greatest enemy and make them follow the instructions made to be followed for their downfall; can deceive the nation as well at any time. Most of the times it also happens that people like Odysseus become mean enough to gain their own personal goals rather the goals marked by society or nation. This leads not only to the downfall of nation as a whole but individuals like Odysseus also loose ultimately. One cannot deceive nature which is the ultimate power. Read More