Odysseus’s Leadership
In Homer’s famous epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus, the protagonist who spends the book traveling home after the Trojan War while encountering different obstacles along the way, shows many different admirable qualities. He shows that he is prepared to sacrifice his life to be a good leader for his crew after his success in Troy, and not only wants to return home himself to his family, but also wants his crew to be able to do the same. Though some might argue that he is a flawed leader, his positive traits outnumber his understandable mistakes.
Though some might argue that Odysseus shouting at Polyphemus, saying “Odysseus… took your eye:/ Laertes’s son, whose home’s on Ithaka” (9.551-9.552) was a sign of foolishness, he had a right to this anger, as Polyphemus had just devoured many of his friends. In truth, this proves that he cares for his crew rather than proving he is foolish. One could also argue that when he stays for a year on Kirke’s island, “feasting long on roasts and wine” (10.515-10.516) it was
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He also shows that he cares for his crew very much, like any good leader should. On Kirke’s Island, he risks his life to rescue his crew. When some members of Odysseus’s crew go to explore the island, Kirke drugs them and turns them to pigs. Though he knows there is little hope of him returning when Eurylokhos tells him, “you, even you, cannot return, I know it,” (10.293) Odysseus seeks out Kirke’s palace to attempt to save the men, saying that he “see[s] nothing for it but to go” (10.301). Earlier, when some of the crew eat the lotus flowers, Odysseus again shows his care for the crew when, rather than leaving them there, Odysseus drags them onto the boat and forces them to come, knowing that they truly want to see their families and homeland. He then tells the crew “no one taste/ the Lotos, or you lose hope of home,” (9.108-9.109) showing that his true goal is to bring his crew