Power of Pity

Connor Soukup

“Do not pity the dead, Pity the living, and above all those who live without love.” - J.K Rowling

    Pity can be stronger than you think. In the Odyssey, book seven, Oddesius gains a lot of help from Narcissa and queen Arete’s through the form of pity. It helps him find asylum and food as well as a ship to journey home in. And even though it somewhat damaged his reputation, he found all the help he needed and more.

    While reading this book, I found pity as a way to get what you want or to get people to help you. Like when Oddesius comes to the city begging queen Arete’s for help. He debates whether to use the strategy of confidence to get her help, or the strategy of pity and sadness. Go goes with sadness and self-pity which works well enough for him. This encounter plus when Oddesius meets Narcissa and he gets her to help him, are some great examples of how people use pity to benefit themselves.

    While reading this book, I found pity as a way to get what you want or to get people to help you. Like when Oddesius comes to the city begging queen Arete’s for help. He debates whether to use the strategy of confidence to get her help, or the strategy of pity and sadness. Go goes with sadness and self-pity which works well enough for him. This encounter plus when Oddesius meets Narcissa and he gets her to help him, are some great examples of how people use pity to benefit themselves. 

    Pity, however an important aspect of human life, can’t always be depended on. This book of the Odyssey displays when and how it can be used to your advantage.