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Obstacles In The Odyssey

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The Odyssey, which features the legendary hero Odysseus, is one of the most well-known and significant pieces of literature in the Western canon. The epic poem, written by the ancient Greek poet Homer, describes Odysseus' ten-year journey home from the Trojan War, during which he endures many hardships that put his grit, wit and moral fiber to the test. Odysseus faces many challenges on his journey to his homeland Ithaca and his wife Penelope, including the wrath of the gods, the seductions of women, the perils of the sea, and the threats of his foes. These obstacles each called for him to exhibit certain virtues and abilities. For instance, he must use his intelligence to outwit the giant and escape his grasp, so his fight with the Cyclops …show more content…

Twelve ships and almost 700 men made up Odysseus' crew, yet many were avaricious, cowardly, and disobedient. They disobeyed, rebelled against him, and acted recklessly, endangering their lives and the mission's success. Likewise, the takeover of his monarchy by the suitors who had taken over his palace and were contending for his wife's hand, Penelope, was the fifth and last barrier in Odysseus' journey back home. Besides being haughty, avaricious, and insulting, these suitors had been dining and wasting his fortune ever since he left his throne for war (Brann …show more content…

In addition to being a heroic figure, Odysseus faced difficulties on his voyage, similar to what many people encounter daily. Majority experience hardships and obstacles that put their fortitude, wit, and moral fiber to the test. Like Odysseus, to achieve their objectives, they must endure adversity and suffering and struggle against insurmountable obstacles (Schein 23). This makes Odysseus' voyage more than just the tale of a hero; it is also the tale of all humanity. Odysseus' return voyage is significant because it teaches us important lessons about the value of qualities like bravery, resiliency, intelligence, and morality. Odysseus demonstrates through his deeds the importance of these qualities to success and fulfillment in life. He also demonstrates how these virtues are interrelated and how we must develop them all to succeed in our objectives and lead satisfying lives. For instance, Odysseus' combat bravery involved moral and physical strength. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, he must battle for what is right and defend his moral convictions, qualities that are very rare to come by (Schein

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