Archetype: The Impious Aristocrat

[ashwinik]

An impious aristocrat is a person who is a nonreligious nobleman, and
in the Odyssey is Antinous.

pg.234, paragraph 2
"'What god', exclaimed Antinous, 'has inflicted this plague on us to
spoil our dinner? Stand out there in the middle and keep clear of my
table, or you'll end up in the sort of Egypt and Cyprus you won't
relish! The audacity and impudence of the beggar! He has only to
pester each man in turn, and they give him food without a thought.
They all have plenty before them, and nobody shows restraint or
consideration when it comes to being generous with other people's
possessions.'"

By referring to Odysseus as the 'plague', Antinous did not realize the
implications of his words unlike the other suitors. In comparison to
Antinous, the other suitors soon realized that the likeliness of
Odysseus being a god-like figure was far greater than him being a
beggar. In ancient Greek culture, the worshipping of God was a very
important part of the culture, and failing to do so could result in an
untimely death or hardship. Later on, Antinous is killed without
notice that in fact the beggar was Odysseus back to reclaim his
throne. Also, the fact that Antinous was the first suitor to die
before the rest proves that his actions caused his death.

"This enraged Antinous still more. He gave him a black look and his
words flew: 'I fancy you won't leave this hall in one piece after such
an insolent speech.' And picking up a stool he threw it and struck
Odysseus on the back under the right shoulder.... If there are any
gods and avenging furies for beggars, I hope Antinous will be dead
before his wedding day.'"

"'Sit quietly and eat, stranger,' Antinous, Eupeithes' son retorted,
'or take yourself somewhere else. Otherwise talk like this will end in
our young men dragging you through the house by the leg or arm and
tearing your skin to ribbons.'"

In this except, Antinous is quoted sounding very impious and
unfriendly, and attempts to weaken Odysseus with a stool. Odysseus's
strength and courage given to him by the Gods, does not even make him
flinch when Antinous attempts to appear higher than him. This person
possesses an important role in global narrative literature, as they
meet with their fate, wh ich plays an important part in all types of
literation. With this role, the story and it's readers are able to see
the full extent of their harsh actions, and thus extend the role of
good over evil in literature.