Frustration In The Odyssey

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Question #1: Does the character illustrate frustration during the course of the story?

Odysseus does illustrate frustration during the course of the story. Before Odysseus and his shipmates landed on the island of Helios, they were warned by Circe and Tiresias not to harm any of the animals, so he made his men swear not to hurt the animals. They stayed for a few days because the winds were strong. One night, Odysseus prayed to the gods for help, but instead, they put him to sleep. When he woke up, he realized that his men broke their promise. Helios’s daughter told her father of this incident, so Helios (the god who drives the sun) threatened Zeus he would abandon the sky and shine in the underworld (the land of the dead). Zeus made a deal with Helios: Zeus would solve the problem with a thunderbolt. Odysseus displays frustration towards the gods because he could have …show more content…

Question #10: Does the character of establish himself/herself as a leader among a group of other characters?

Odysseus does establish himself as the leader among a group of other characters. Before Odysseus and his men enter the strait between the monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis, Scylla horrifies the men to the point they drop their oars. Odysseus orders his men to reclaim their oars and sit back on the benches. However, Odysseus does not tell his men about Scylla and Charybdis because he thinks that they would be more frightened if he told them so. Odysseus displays strong leadership when his men abide by his direction. Odysseus also cares for his men when he does not tell them about Scylla and Charybdis for their own good. “‘Now I say by hook or crook this peril too shall be something that we remember. Heads up, lads! We must obey the orders as I give them’”