Trickster paper - Grade: A PDF

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Essay on the archetype The Trickster...

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MALIHA HAMDAN ENGH-202-006 10/7/2014

The great Odysseus uses many attributes to get what he desires throughout The Odyssey, but arguably his most notable trait is that of the trickster. His ability to use his brains, eloquence, and egocentricity (among other things) to persuade characters and therefor overcome his obstacles is such a critical part of his character. Episodes VI and VII, involving Nausicaa and Alcinous, and episode XXI involving Odysseus’ return home to Ithaca and the swindles he soon perpetrates there demonstrate Odysseus functioning as a trickster. In all of these episodes he uses his vast intellectual prowess to mold situations into what he desires them to be. In this way he completely encapsulates the persona of the trickster. The first crucial point in which Odysseus behaves as a trickster in episode XXI is when he arrives to Ithaca disguised as a beggar, as this sets up his entire rouse. By cloaking himself as a dirty beggar he creates the allusion that he does not pose a threat, which only serves to help him later on. Pretending to be a beggar also allows Odysseus the opportunity to interact with others and acquire information that he can use to his advantage, a very trickster-esk move. Odysseus functions as a trickster when he reveals his true identity to two of his menEumaeus and Philoetius. He does this by exposing himself as not being a beggar, but the mighty Odysseus. He then woos them with promises of land and wives so that when the time comes they will help him carry out his self-serving plan. (XXI, 239-244) Another example of Odysseus behaving as a trickster is when he finally holds the bow in his hands when the suitors are

gathered in the hall. They mock him, be He essentially hustles the suitors. “So to amuse you all, I can try my hand, my strength…is the old force still alive inside these gnarled limbs?” (XXI, 313316). The combination of his modesty and his disguise makes the suitors believe he is not a threat to them, which is what Odysseus secretly wants. He is using his superior knowledge to place the suitors right where he wants them. Which in this case, is locked in a room with him with no escape in sight. Before shooting the bow the suitors mock him and claim that he will only hurt himself. Odysseus proceeds to shoot the bow perfectly, and reveals his true identity. He then kills many of the suitors. Here we see that he is behaving in a very opportunistic way. This further demonstrates that he is a trickster. In episode VI, Odysseus is helped and tended to by Nausicaa and her maids when he finds himself on the beach they are inhabiting. When by the end of their interaction Nausicaa gives her instructions to Odysseus for returning to her home, she gives him a speech about how they must not return together, as it would not be proper, and would cause a great deal of talk amongst people of the town. (VI, 313-326) When Odysseus reaches her father’s palace, he pawns her speech off as his own thoughts, saying that while Nausicaa was more than happy to show him the way home, he thought it would look bad if they came back together. Odysseus knows that by pretending Nausicaa’s thoughts are his own, Alcinous will think that Odysseus has morals similar to his. This makes Alcinous like and respect Odysseus, making him want to help Odysseus on his journey home. Odysseus has told a complete fabrication of his interaction with Nausicaa for his own personal gain, yet feels no guilt for his actions. This is a prime example of Odysseus yet again functioning as a trickster.

Work Cited

Homer. The Odyssey...