Fully developed reaction paper comparing or contrasting

Introduction

There are myriad of myths concerning the origin of man. Ancient cultures, whose myths have also been incorporated in the modern beliefs made use of myths to explain the events that were related to man and which lacked concise explanation or which man did not have a rightful way of finding a lasting solution. The various accounts provided were however characterized with a wide extent of deception. Obviously, some versions of the myths were adds-on to the truth and therefore lacked the true account. Nevertheless, the information added led to the better understanding of the unknown issues about mankind. Lies and deception therefore were the basis for making clear the puzzles of mankind. Nevertheless, there is a big contrast between the functioning of the lies and deception in the Garden of Eden than they are actually viewed and valued in the Odyssey. Different factors are at play in bringing about the difference in significance between the two situations. As a matter of fact, there are differing significance attached to the lies and deception in the Garden of Eden and the Odyssey.

Differential functioning of lies and deception

There are contrasting significances of lies and deception in the Garden of Eden and the Odyssey. The outcome of the lies and deception that befalls Adam and Eve while in the Garden of Eden is devastating. Satan, who together with his follower angels have apparently been cast out of the paradise of God after being rebellious. Therefore, they are cast into the Hell. Their intentions for the newly created earth are completely evil. Satan intends to apply deception to cheat Adam and Eve in order they can be part of his followers as well. The lies and deceptions that characterize the Garden of Eden are therefore meant give Satan an advantage over Adam and Eve. There is no single issue that actually prompts Adam and Eve to engage in the cheating process. For one, they have everything they need within their disposal. At the moment, Adam and Eve are enjoying a moment of perfect close relationship. Actually, executing any form of lies and deception is rebellion of highest caliber and one that actually lacks any form of clear focus. In fact, Adam and Eve are most likely to lose if they disobey God (Bittarello, 2008).

On the contrary, lies and deception in the Odyssey have considerable relevance. The contextual differentiation between the Garden of Eden and the Odyssey is a clear indication that there are basic survival techniques that are vital for the journey that Odyssey encounters to be complete. Odyssey is represented as being cunning and deceptive throughout the journey. Many of the events that are actually represented in the journey of Odyssey are actually deceptive-they don’t represent the actual nature of events as they should be. Based on the crucial importance life, lies and deceptions are imperative for Odyssey. The craftiness with which he maneuvers his way through the journey wrought with innumerable challenges and threats to survival. Therefore, the difference that exists between the events in the Garden of Eden and the Odyssey is expansive. The basis for the grouping and analysis of the two events can be best addressed through the consideration of the two events and particularly, the relevance of the various activities associated with the respective event.

The various characters in the two contrasting events are lies. Actually, the use lies and deception is a clear indication of the various implications the experiences that are involved in the process of the expansion of the different activities associated with the various actions of the characters. A lot of cunningness and shrewdness is at play in the process of exercising lies and deception. The characters associated with the use of lies and deceptions are actually orientated towards the ability to chart a way out in spite of the fact that there are other better ways through which to move out of the challenges that they encounter. The characters can be seen using lies and deception in different ways. Fr instance, when Satan deceives Adam and Eve, he cheats them that they are going to acquire vast knowledge and wisdom to the extent of God. Further, they are deceived that has God wouldn’t like it if they became equal with him. Fascinated by the prospects of being equals with God and actually being supernatural power, they readily fall for Satan’s lies and deceptions (Martin, 2002).

On the other hand, Odyssey encounters multifarious experiences that do not just need lies; they require more capabilities and experiences in disguising oneself, it is actually the quest for a solution out of the mess that engulfs Odyssey that prompts him to engage all the deceptions and false representation and disguises. The demonstration of Odyssey’s cunning intelligence is intense and it goes a step further into actually enabling Odyssey out the seven years captivity that he has spent on Calypso’s island.  The ability of Odyssey to apply disguise and deceptive speech is shown when he disguises himself into varying physical forms as well as the verbal communications. For instance, Odyssey disguises his voice while telling Cyclops Polyphemus that his name is “Nobody”. In another instance, Odyssey answers that “Nobody” is hurting him when he is asked by other Cyclopes the reason why he is crying (Bittarello, 2008).

The deceptions and lies that are applied by the characters have varied level of applicability and significance. The lies and deceptions actually realize varying level of success for the characters. In the consideration of the case of Satan, Adam and Eve, Satan is able to deceive Adam and Eve for his advantage. The manner in which Satan outlines the benefits that are going to accrue to Adam and Eve makes the pressure and desire to have the wisdom and knowledge so difficult to resist.  Therefore, they end up having a taste of the forbidden fruit that actually causes them drastic transformation. They gain some of the traits that they did not possess you. The extreme transformation that occurs in Adam and Eve does not completely bring the best results as they had actually anticipated. The story is a perfect contrast with the level of the satisfaction. Odyssey is able eventually find his way out of the mess that surrounds him while in captivity. However, he uses his wits and sly nature to play with the minds of his captors who eventually manage to offer him an opportunity to leave for his freedom. In fact, Odyssey is able to achieve his desire for the freedom through the application of the lies and deception.

The deities portray different feelings about the lack of truthfulness by all the parties involve.  To start with, the lack of truthfulness for Adam and Eve causes immense anger to God. As a result, they are punished severely besides being sent out of the Garden of Eden. Actually, God is worked up with the actions of the man and wife and decides to end the close relationship that was there previously. On the contrary, the deity in Odyssey is supportive of the lies and deception he uses to protect himself from the harsh treatment he receives while in captivity. It is a crucial. However, the deity here executes punitive measures just like God in the Garden of Eden. When Odyssey boasts as having overcome though his own wit, he is made to take longer time before getting back home. The stories show that the tellers considered both the positive and negative aspects of the story with partiality (Martin, 2002).

Conclusion

            Lies and deception has some level of significance to the user. The deceptions used in the stories benefit some specific characters at the expense of others. There are varied advantages that actually result to the characters who use deception effectively especially through the application of disguise and alteration of ones self. The effectiveness of the programs dealing with deception and lies is quite conclusive and yielding varying benefits to the users. However, deception and lies are not always beneficial as they may lead to more harm that good to the persons involved.

 

References:

Bittarello, B. Another Time, Another Space: Virtual Worlds, Myths and Imagination, Journal of Virtual Worlds Research: Past, Present & Future” 2008.

Martin, C. The world tricked us, The global spiral, Metanexas Institute publications, 2002.