How Does Odysseus Change

Since he left home for the Trojan War, Odysseus has become another person when compared to the Odysseus that Penelope remembers. He’s been away for over 20 years and he’s won a war, made a name for himself, and changed dramatically. As the book develops, we see Odysseus become more egotistical and dependant on others. His actions convey the message that he thinks that he is better than others, which can be seen through the encounters with the Cyclops and Laódamas. These actions are often unnecessary and portray Odysseus to be a flawed character, despite his never-ending efforts to prove otherwise. Both the events that Odysseus has experienced and the stories that come from them have caused him to lead through his ego. There are several events and experiences that Odysseus has been through which boost his ego. The impending rise of Odysseus’ ego begins with his idea to trick the Trojans when he builds a hollow wooden horse and hides inside of it with his men. He was able to outsmart and defeat the

As a result of this change, Telemachus and Penelope’s expectations of who he is will not correlate with his true character. Odysseus is continuously praised by the people who know him and his story. When Telemachus is guided by Athena to find out as much as he can about his father, he sails to Sparta to talk to Menelaus who fought alongside his father. Menelaus says, “but never have I seen one like Odysseus for steadiness and a stout heart” (Homer 61). Odysseus has been able to make notable impressions on many people and has done so throughout the book. For example, Laódamas says, “Nothing like the sea for wearing out the toughest man alive” (Homer 129). Laódamas has witnessed the abilities of Odysseus, but he has also experienced the power that Odysseus’ ego has over him. For this reason, the impressions that Odysseus has made on people won’t matter once he arrives