The Pride Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

In the epic, The Odyssey, written by Homer, the main character, Odysseus, spends 10 brutal years trying to find a way back home to Ithica after the Trojan War. Throughout his journey he is met with multiple obstacles including losing every one of his crew members. Although he faces physical monsters, I believe that his biggest enemy is his pride. Many believe that Odysseus’ best quality is how honorable he is, but I believe his honor is often mistaken for his hubris. This is very evident in book 9 when Odysseus and his crew are on the island of Cyclops. Also, in book 10 when he refuses to tell his men what is in a bag he receives from Aeolus, the god of wind and when he stays on Circe’s Island for years.

In the beginning of book 9, Odysseus

Instead of simply fleeing the island and thanking the gods for their escape, Odysseus insists on provoking the giant, even though he knows that this will put his crew in danger. As a result, Polyphemus calls upon his father, Poseidon, to curse Odysseus and his men, leading to many more trials and tribulations for the hero and his crew. Another example of Odysseus's prideful behavior can be seen in his encounter with Circe. After successfully freeing his men from her enchantments, Odysseus becomes enamored with her and stays on her island for a year. While this may seem like a harmless indulgence, it is important to remember that Odysseus has a wife and son waiting for him at home. Furthermore, he does not seem to consider the potential consequences of his actions, such as the possibility that Circe could turn on him or that his crew might become restless and mutinous. Finally, Odysseus's pride is perhaps best exemplified in his encounter with the Sirens. Despite being warned of the danger of their song, Odysseus insists on hearing it for himself. He orders his crew to tie him to the mast of the ship so that he can listen without being lured to his death. While this may seem like a clever solution to the problem, it is important to remember that Odysseus's prideful desire to experience everything for himself almost cost him his