Vidhi Patel Ms. Kottke Honors English 10 17 March 2023 The desire for power, although afflictive, is a common trait exhibited by many individuals. This intense craving can greatly impact actions and decisions. In the Odyssey, Homer examines the dangers of seeking power at the expense of others and showcases that characters who prioritize control over compassion fail. The suitor's inability to cooperate with others leads to their downfall. For almost three years the suitors stayed at Odysseus’s palace. During this time, Telemachus states that they "kill[ed] our beeves and sheep, and fatted goats, carousing, soaking up our good dark wine, not caring what they do" (20). Additionally, Telemachus showcases that he is powerless over the suitors, …show more content…
For instance, when Odysseus and his unit stopped at the city of Ismarus, they "stormed the place and killed the men" (146). This lack of empathy leads to retaliation from the inhabitants and they eradicate much of Odysseus’s crew. Another example of this uncanny behavior is when Odysseus is given a bag of winds by Aeolus to help him return home. However, he doesn’t tell the crew what is inside the bag. Therefore, the men opened it because "silver and gold, they guessed, were in[side]" (166). Consequently, "every wind roared into [a] hurricane" (166) and drew the boat back to Aeolus’s Island. Odysseus’s tendency to control others around him primarily leads to his inability to return home right away. At Ismarus, instead of leaving with riches, he prioritizes control and material gain over the well-being of others. This leads to much of his crew dying. Additionally, at sea, Odysseus does not inform his men about the contents of the bag, which creates a power dynamic where he is the only one with knowledge. This harms Odysseus, as he is unable to maintain the crew's trust and loyalty. These decisions highlight Odysseus’s tendency to prioritize dominance, which leads to his failure to return home on