Know Thyself,” and “Nothing in Excess

At the Temple of Apollo at Delphi are inscribed two precepts: “Know Thyself,” and “Nothing in Excess.”  These two concepts emphasize values that were highly prized by the ancient Greeks: self-knowledge, and self-control or moderation.
Analyze how these two concepts are illustrated in Homer’s The Odyssey.  Use Odysseus and his son Telemachus as examples.
Where are the themes of self-knowledge and moderation introduced in The Odyssey? Focus on Zeus’s speech in the opening of Book 1.
Where is there an example of Odysseus and Telemachus gaining self-knowledge? Focus on Telemachus’s visit with Athena in Book 1, where he must learn to become an man and take responsibility for his situation. Also, examine Odysseus’s  Journey to the Underworld, where he must learn some important lessons about his past behavior.  Illustrate where Odysseus exhibited excessive or reckless behavior before his visit to the Land of the Dead, and where he displayed moderation and self-control afterwards. Use specific lines from the poem to support your argument throughout your paper.
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