The Odyssey is an epic written by Homer. In the epic, the hero Odysseus is tested after given the task to get his men, as well as himself back home, while trying to survive the harsh terrain and vicious monsters that they encounter. After analyzing Odysseus's carelessness, lack of truth, and selfishness throughout the epic, the readers realize that he is a horrible leader. Throughout the epic, Odysseus neglected to pay attention to the men’s safety. Before Odysseus and his men encountered Scylla, he made sure that he was safe from the monster, leaving his men to be eaten (The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis. 728).
One of the islands he traveled to help a cyclops who was a cannibal. Odysseus saved his crew by spearing him right in the eye blinding him. The cyclops was the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea.
The natives there gave Odysseus and his men an intoxicating fruit of the lotus. After Odysseus and his men eat the fruit, they forget all of their thoughts about home and decide to eat more of the fruit. The only way that Odysseus can get him and his men back home is by dragging his men back to the ship and lock them up, Odysseus decides to go along with it. When Odysseus went back to Ithaca, He made the wise choice to go and see his wife Penelope. Odysseus was so brave to go see his wife because he didn’t know if she was going to recognize him at all or want to be with him for the rest of her life.
Odysseus and his men were fleeting from Polyphemus’ island, he said, “ Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye…” (book 9, lines 416-418, textbook). Odysseus is being to boastful and therefore it caused him and his man to become cursed and their journey to last for several years to come. Odysseus’ actions caused his men to pay for just being too full of pride and egotistical. After encountering Aeolus, king of the winds, odysseus received a bag full of wind so they could finally return home to Ithaca, “ nine whole days we sailed, nine nights, nonstop.
Odysseus is tempted by the land of the Lotus-Eaters he desires all that he can benefit by raiding their home. Homer writes, “Then I sent out two picked men and a runner to learn what race of man that land sustained”(92-93). In line 94 Odysseus then learned that his decisions were made in vain, because Odysseus’ men “.. fell in soon enough, with the Lotus-Eaters,” Odysseus took his pride from defeating Troy and turned it into arrogance. This then created problem with Odysseus and his crew and their ability to get back home. One would think that Odysseus would not run into a conflict like he had already endured, but as stated in lines 458-459 Odysseus didn’t learn.
They men are then dragged back to the ship by Odysseus, who shows a great about of loyalty. He then ties them underneath the row benches so that they remain true to each of their promise, loyal to their families, and their homeland, Ithaca. That was only the first example of how Odysseus shows loyalty to his men, family, and homeland.
Upon the coastline of lotus eaters Odysseus sends out 2 men and a runner to see what is on the land. He later notices that the lotus flowers his men have been eating make them not want to leave the island. Odysseus first shows his men loyalty when he goes to get his men no matter how much of a fight they put up and he then ties them to the ship so they can’t escape. Odysseus says to his men, “I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, / tied them down under their rowing benches, / and called the rest” (Homer 9. 48-50). While on Calypso’s Island, Calypso falls in love with Odysseus and wants him to stay even offering him immortality.
“The Odyssey” is an Epic Poem which discusses the life story of Odysseus. The main focus of the poem is the journey of Odysseus and his way back home. Certain events distract him, most importantly; his encounter with the Gods, Goddesses. It takes Odysseus all of what it takes to head back home, including his bravery and intelligence. These qualities in Odysseus not only help himself but his men survive through the chaos of the journey called “The Odyssey”.
“See, I'd always told myself that because I meant no harm, anything that happened wasn't my fault. At that moment, though, I knew I was wrong. If I hadn't given the female my gun, the bird wouldn't have been shot. I was responsible even though I didn't pull the trigger.” ― J.R. Ward, Lover Eternal Everywhere Odysseus goes, his friends suffer for his decisions; a trail of carnage is left behind in practically every location visited, not the blood of enemies, but of friends killed by carelessness.
To manipulate is to control or influence a person or situation cleverly or unfairly. Greek literature demonstrates the captivating theme of manipulation at best through the manipulation of mortals by gods and goddesses. Specifically, The Odyssey by Homer illustrates the various ways this theme is portrayed through the main character Odysseus by gods and goddesses who detest him on his journey home to his home, Ithaca. Further, these influences in his life change his fate, mainly as determinants. Evidently, one can see an instance where Odysseus’s fate is influenced for the worse where Poseidon, god of the sea, swears to make Odysseus’s trip home a living nightmare.
The journey of Odysseus began at the end of the Trojan war, when he tried to make it to Penelope in his home, Ithica. But the gods were not happy with Odysseus, due to his arrogant ways and his lack of faith in the gods. Because of this, his journey home would become a 20 year one. He was moved, of course, a number of times by the gods or by weather, He faced many trials and was stopped at many places. Each place he was brought to ended up being another trial.
Throughout the course of an exceptionally dangerous point in Odysseus’ return voyage he and his men find themselves caught in the territory of the Lotus Eaters, natives who have had their minds corrupted by a certain Lotus flower. Upon landing on the island, Odysseus sent three men to scout the area, all three of which became plagued by the flower. However, Odysseus “… drove [his men] to the ships, tied them down… [and] moved out again” (Homer 9.105-112). Odysseus cares about the safety of those three crew members, though they may have seemed insignificant due to the total size of his troupe. Rather than simply fleeing the island, he ventures out to ensure his men will return despite their stupefied state.
The audience is first introduced to Odysseus on Calypso’s island after the god Poseidon caused his ship to wreck on the coast, leaving him abandoned on the island. The audience quickly learns of Poseidon’s animosity towards
Life gives us many chances to learn lessons. Much like the main character in The Odyssey by Homer. I have learned to fight for what I want, listen to advice and that actions have consequences. Both Odysseus and I have learned these three life lessons. Odysseus and people around the world have to fight for what they want.
The Odyssey interprets the science behind natural phenomenons and portrays it as an act from the gods. As Odysseus is trying to make his way back home, he combats these dilemmas in the ocean that interfere and end up delaying his journey. It seems as if every time Odysseus steps a foot into a body of water, there is always an occurrence that almost kills him. Poseidon, god of the sea, who has vowed retribution on Odysseus and will try everything he can to make him suffer.
