Examples Of High Ego In The Odyssey

In life, people tend to focus on themselves and when they win and succeed they begin to drift from humility, this can lead to high egos and too much self-esteem, which can be good and bad. In the odyssey by Homer, the main character Odysseus is shown going around fighting battles and protecting his men, while trying his best to be there for his sweetheart Penelope. Still, through Odysseus's high ego, trouble arises and mistakes start to happen which leads him astray toward his goal of seeing his wife. Odysseus provides examples of high ego by demonstrating poor tactics throughout the story. During the Book, Odysseus is too blind to see how his personality is holding him, hostage, from being a good friend and family member. High ego and pridefulness

“ And I will put my father to the test, see if the old man knows me now, on sight, or fails to, after twenty years apart.” This egotistical mindset Odysseus is possessing will eventually hurt others, causing Odysseus to see the person he really is. “Torn, mulling it over, this seemed better: test the old man first, reproach him with words that cut him to the core. Convinced, Odysseus went right up to his father. “ Odysseus is too caught up in trying to be satisfied with his self-importance, he is not thinking of how this will negatively affect his father, his father will find out that his son is testing him, but why would Odysseus test him if he knows that his father will be loyal? “At those words, a black cloud of grief came shrouding over Laertes. Both hands clawing the ground for dirt and grime, he poured it over his grizzled head, sobbing, in spasms. Odysseus’ heart shuddered, and a sudden twinge went shooting up through his nostrils, watching his dear father struggle.” Odysseus is reaching for a feeling of emotional satisfaction so he can feel as if he was so important to be missed, this is shown through his big ego which is leading him to make poor choices, resulting in bad