Odyssey Essay

Gracie Storie
Odyssey Essay
Sophomore English
22 May 2008

The characteristics and description of Odysseus throughout The Odyssey would fall under three main categories: ego, the bravery he portrays, and his intellect. These consist of the things he did and the emotions he felt. Odysseus is made out to be a hero, but there were multiple actions he did that were not heroic. Although he handled the obstacles well, they were ill planned out and not very wise.

Odysseus had a big ego and he liked to be the center of attention. Although there were tasks that he could barely manage, even with the help of Athena and his crew. He thinks he can do anything. Circe thinks " Prince Laertiades, Odysseus never at fault." (120). When Odysseus and his men began another part of their journey, Circe warned Odysseus. She told him that they would pass Scylla the six headed monster. She told him that the monster would kill six of his crew men and to not try and fight against Scylla. When the time came Odysseus got on his armor and was about ready to fight and he then remembered Circe’s warning. With much reluctance he walked away from the fight.
Along with Odysseus's ego is his pride. Thoughts of his family that that he missed so much always made him miserable. When he would cry, "Odysseus would cover his head again and give way to sorrow." (89). After he blinded the giant Cyclops, he proceeded to yell his name and the land of his home. Polythemus, the blinded Cyclops, was the son of Poseidon who sought vengeance upon Odysseus. Bringing tribulation and grief. Poseidon made Odysseus's journey hash and expanded the time Odysseus would be away from home for more than ten years.

To survive and complete the strenuous journey with a lot of mishap and distress that Odysseus completed, a person had to have a large amount of bravery and above all determination. The obstacles he encountered and the monsters Odysseus faced were extreme and intense, still he faced them with cunning and he was always wily Odysseus never gave up even on the verge of death. Feeble with exhaustion and about to drown, his stubbornness gave him the strength to hold on. To fight and defend is what he did best. Odysseus fought the Cyclops even though he was scared. Another heroic act the he performed was traveling to the underworld. Although he was uncomfortable he creeped, out. Odysseus traveled down below the land of the living where the land was barren and the dead dwelt. He conversed with the dead as well as the Oracle and completed the task he was sent to do. Successfully Odysseus returned from the underworld alive, which is a hard task to accomplish.

Odysseus is filled with intellect and in addition to that, some of his greatest stratagem was used throughout the challenges he faced. He finds a way out of everything. For instance, he uses the hollow horse to hide the men during the war of Ilion, in order to defeat his enemies. Odysseus likes to take charge of things; as a result he tends to be the leader of many events. Odysseus, along with his son Telamachus and Athena, the goddess, plan the death of the suitors. They hide the swords and armor so they cannot be used against them. Later on when Odysseus and his companions needed the devices to win the battle they could use them. The swineherd cried as he saw the suitors collecting the hidden armor and swords, "Look there, my beloved lord and master!" (246). Odysseus controls the people of Ithaca and his crew men. He is an authoritive leader. He convinces Circe the witch to let him and his crew after a a year of being captive. Odysseus is loved my many and he is of royal blood for this reason it seems as if he was made from birth to lead.

The Odyssey is filled with challenges that require an egotistical and proud man who is brave and wise enough to be the hero. Odysseus is the perfect man, he is adamant and unyielding. Athena the goddess of warfare and wisdom is his supernatural leader who helps him throughout his morbid and treacherous journey. All the while discovers new things and crosses his threshold of change. Although Odysseus was culpable at times when he made mistakes, no one blamed him. They accepted his mistakes, and accomplished more than he ruined. By the time Odysseus, returned he should have been haggard, but instead he was beautiful with the help of Athena. Odysseus rejoices over his return to Ithaca, and he is welcomed as the true heroic leader he is.