The Odyssey - Intelligence VS. Strength
In the story, The Odyssey, there are many instances that support the term ‘intelligence is more important than strength’. Odysseus used his mental intelligence to outwit the Trojan warriors. He believed that the power of his mind was more effective than his physical capabilities. Three major supporting factors that support Odysseus’ beliefs include when Odysseus and his men built the Trojan horse, when Odysseus was given plant to resist a powerful magical spell, and when plans were developed to escape from Cyclops’ cave and return home to Ithaca. These great events showcase how intelligence proved to be more powerful than brute strength. During the Trojan War, Odysseus made plans to infiltrate
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Another example of how intelligence proved to be more effective than brute strength was when Hermes gave Odysseus a plant called Moly to make him resistant to Circe’s powerful spell that would change him to swine. Circe has already converted some of Odysseus’s men, so he rescues them. Odysseus goes to Circe’s palace to try to free his men; he then gets into bed with Circe, and frees his men. This also proves how intelligence is more important than strength in this situation.
Lastly, Odysseus used his clever plan to escape from Polyphemus. Odysseus gives Polyphemus wine to drunken him. Afterwards, he cuts an olive tree into six sections and fires a section of sharpened tree and stabs Polyphemus in the eye. Odysseus and his men get away from the cave, safely. The plan to escape Polyphemus’s cave was very clever, hence intelligence is more important than strength.
In Summary, intelligence proved to overpower brute strength time and time again. Both intelligence and strength are great characteristics to use together. However, the above examples show that intellect is superior to strength, especially in dire situations. Intelligence allowed Odysseus to strategize how to best use strength, such as in the Trojan War. Thus, if he was not able to outwit his enemies he likely would not have been successful in his many