MORAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS OF HOMER'S «ODYSSEY»

Abstract

The relevance of the article lies in the significance of the analyzed work by Homer, the popularity of the protagonist's image in art, and the inclusion of this masterpiece in the school curriculum for world literature, which necessitates its proper perception and comprehension by the youth. The aim of the article is a comprehensive analysis of the character of Odysseus. Accordingly, the objectives are to highlight the multifaceted nature of Odysseus's image, to examine him as an archetypal character of ancient culture, and to trace the shifts in the perception of this image throughout different cultural eras. Results. The article proves that the image of Odysseus is a complex and contradictory archetype that combines heroic and negative traits, reflecting the worldviews of various cultural periods. The research analyzes Odysseus's primary character traits, including courage, wisdom, curiosity, devotion to his homeland and family, as well as his diplomacy and leadership qualities. It is demonstrated that Odysseus emerges not only as a brave warrior and experienced mariner but also as a wise strategist, whose contributions were instrumental to the Greek victory in the Trojan War. Simultaneously, the article underscores that alongside these positive traits, the hero possesses contradictory qualities – cunning, deceit, vindictiveness, and cruelty – which render his character ambiguous. To achieve a deeper understanding of Odysseus's character, an archetypal analysis approach is applied, specifically the trickster concept introduced to scholarly discourse by anthropologist Paul Radin. In this context, Odysseus is viewed as an ambivalent figure who combines creative and destructive traits, a capacity for deception, and guile with the ability to love and a thirst for knowledge. Special attention is given to the evolving perception of Odysseus across different historical eras. While in Antiquity the hero was perceived as the personification of courage and the quest for worldly knowledge, in Medieval culture – most notably in Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy – his image receives a more critical interpretation through the moral lens of Christian ethics. Conclusions. Consequently, the article concludes that the image of Odysseus is a complex and contradictory archetype that blends heroic and negative traits, reflecting the worldviews of diverse cultural epochs.