Examples Of Challenges In The Odyssey

Everybody will face challenges that feel like they are impossible overcome, or are hopeless. But with hard work, self improvement, and a mindset to never give u we can overcome any challenge thrown our way. Odysseus, through his journey finds himslef facing challenges that would seem daunting to even a god watching him from the hevans. But despite this he finds a way to persevere throught the loss the sacrifice and the ever building stakes of his actions. Odysseus gains insight by facing many challenges and going against the odds even when they seem completely insurmountable. To gain insight, Odysseus perseveres through loss and sacrifice. During Odysseus’ encounter with the man-eating Cyclops Polyphemus, Odysseus gets trapped. Before Odysseus

(9.145-293) Book nine shows Odysseus becoming overwhelmed by the situations he gets his men and himself into because of his curiosity or boastfulness. While trapped, he watches six men eaten by the Cyclops and is told that the gift that Polyphemus will give him is to eat him last. Despite this information and gruesome sights he keeps a cool head and strategizes a way to outsmart the cyclops, defeating his brawn with brains. Odysseus, while attempting to sail home to Ithaca, is forced to make a decision to sail through rocks that could sink his ship or choose to sail by one of two monsters, either Scylla or Charybdis. Charybdis will eat six of Odysseus’ men while Scylla will swallow everything near it three times a day. (12.135-160) Odysseus chooses to sail by Charybdis and lose six of his men but does not warn them of the fate that might await them because he knows they were powerless to do anything against the monster. Although he is traumatized and heart broken by what he had to do. He seems to realize that the loss of his men was necessary to keep the rest of his crew

Odysseus travels to the underworld, which no mortal man has ever done before and lived. He does this to learn his future from the blind prophet Tiresias, who foretells the trials he will face for the rest of his journey.(11.65-115) Odysseus demonstrates his ability to be a great leader and realizes that even though he is against Incredible odds on his journey home, he can overcome and continue. Furthermore, his trip to the underworld is an excellent example because he understands that no mortal man has ever made it out alive but still takes on the odds in the hope that he and his men can complete a safe journey home. Odysseus faces over one-hundred suitors looking to take Penelope to be their wife and take power over the throne of Ithaca. These suitors plan to kill Odysseus if they see him. Odysseus expecting this poses as a beggar and sneaks into the suitors contest disguised he is allowed to attempt the challenge he completes it first try before turning the bow on the the men watching and with the help of Telemachus the cowherd and swineherd successfully kills all the suitors.(22.1-129) Odysseus is outnumbered one to a hundred but with his love for Penelope driving him forward to complete this final trial.