The Warrior in Classic Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the development of the male warrior, throughout literature, has a direct relationship with the development of western civilization and how the attributes a warrior holds, fall respectively with the attributes that each society held as valuable. Through an examination of the characters of Odysseus, Beowulf and Sir Lancelot, the paper attempts to show that the progression of society from the time of less diversified ancient Greek culture, to the explosion of diversity in tribes and people, created identities and formed the groundwork for nation states.

From the Paper:

"Odysseus's biggest attribute is his personal control of emotions and events. He has many emotions throughout the story, but always exhibits control in thinking and actions. Look at the careful planning and patience when waiting for the time to kill all his suitors. Another duration, Odysseus wants to punish his men many times over for the greed and stupidity they show throughout their journeys, "My men are mutinous fools..." (Homer 146), but he controls his anger and continues on their journey back home. Odysseus, with such control, is the very model of a leader and king. Control was very valuable in Greek society. A perfect contrast to Odysseus's' control is the character Antinous. Antinous has no control over his emotions or actions, as he leads the ban of suitors, being the most brash of the suitors. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boyle, Doebler, Lopez-Lazaro and Wright. Hum 301. Tempe AZ. Alternative copy shop, 1996
• Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. New York: Vintage Classics, 1990.
• Unknown. Beowulf. Trans. Michael Alexander. New York: Penguin Books, 1973.
• Virgil. The Aeneid. Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. New York: Vintage Classics, 1990.

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