Kleos: modern value?

Homer clearly defines winning glory and renown as arguably the greatest accomplishment for any man in war to achieve. Today, people have become wiser and more insightful about what values are important to us. In contemporary society, I don't think that kleos is pursued, for we have discovered greater things to have, like love and virtue. Odysseus' want for kleos gets him and his crew into unnecessary trouble, like when they are trapped inside the cave of Polyphemus, the Cyclops. If Odysseus had kept his mind on the journey home and not thought about fighting the monster, he could have saved his time and effort. Staying out of trouble is definitely a good thing to do; causing trouble just makes situations worse, especially for selfish reasons. Menelaus also went straight for kleos, and in the end, he is only seen as a wealthy man and the owner of a kingdom. Just being rich is frowned upon today, for it doesn't completely help you live your life. You must also have virtue and intelligence, which can be much more valuable than money.

Kleos can also lead to causing other people problems, anything that one does not want to deal with. Odysseus' desire of glory puts his family at home in tough positions. Telemachus lives in Ithaca without confidence for himself. Without his father, who is believed to be dead, Telemachus does not have any fatherly figure to inspire him and build self-esteem. An important modern-day value is to always trust yourself and believe you can achieve your goals. Without self-confidence, it is difficult to remain optimistic about your life. Penelope also must deal with the fabricated loss of Odysseus, for now she must deal with her grief and the suitors who want to court her. As a devoted family member, one should not cause the rest of their family to deal with problems for their own selfishness. Ultimately, one's pursuit of kleos puts themself and others into situations that can be avoided. Glory is definitely not desired today as much as before, for people have become more selfless and have tried more to achieve glory for the whole world.

~ Question #1

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