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Odysseus: A True Leader In The Cyclops By Homer

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Everyone knows the story of what came to be The Odyssey, but most do not realize that Odysseus is not what we call today a "jock with no brains''. The way that he able to "think on his toes" is what helps him become a strong leader. In the Cyclops, Odysseus was able to use his brains and bronze to escape the beastly Cyclops. Odysseus was also stuck with a decision, weather to take the path where they would have to inner come the man sucking, ship destroyer, Charybdis or thee huge-monstrous, Scylla. Odysseus was a strong leader and did everything he could to help his crew, because of the story the Cyclops and the story of The Sirens; Scylla and Charybdis.

The man-eating, wine drinker, and sheep owner, thee Cyclops was fooled by the one …show more content…

He was able to use the "magic" inside his head to create this plan that uses his masculinity to escape the cave of Polyphemus. When the Cyclops comes upon to see that Odysseus and part of his crew members were munching down on his cheese he was frustrated. Odysseus was waiting for the beastly one-eyed man ''...beholden them for his help, or any gifts you give- as custom is to honor strangers." At that moment to there shock this Cyclops does not for tray the "rules" of the Gods. He then grabbed one of Odysseus' men "...and made his meal, gaping and crunching like a mountain lion-everything: innards, flesh, and marrow bones" on him without regret. Odysseus was quick on his toes, he said "'Cyclops, try some wine. Here's liquor to wash down your scraps of men. Taste it, and see the kind of drink we carried under our planks... Give me another, thank you kindly...' The Cyclops drank three bowls of wine and became very drunk that was what Odysseus was trying to do so …show more content…

After passing the Sirens he had a choice to make, the man/ship sucking whirlpool, Charybdis or the six headed crew member eating monster, Scylla. Odysseus tells his crew members "'friends, have we never been in danger before this? More fearsome, is it now, than when the Cyclops penned us in his cave? What power he had! Did I not keep my nerve, and use my wits to find a way out for us? 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. Get the oar shafts in your hands, and lay back hard on your benches: hit these breaking seas.' He sent his crew on word to Scylla. Odysseus wisely did not say anything about what was to come.If Odysseus decided to reveal the knowledge that was upon him then, his crew would be treacherous of what is to become of the six sailors. He knew that he was not going to be able to help his men at this point of their voyage that sadly had to end. Odysseus lost six of his men but knew that it was the best option or else everyone would be killed and would never make it back to

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This text shows that Odysseus can be humble and accept that he needs to listen to survive and he alone can not keep his whole crew alive. Odysseus tends to use his own wit and skills to survive not needing others help, but sometimes he does need to take others advice to

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Small actions like this, which do not take any physical strength, prove that being prepared with provisions is equally as important to a hero as being prepared with traditional weapons. Additionally, Odysseus shows the importance of using what is available to get out of tough situations, as well as playing up to the enemy’s emotions. When he and his men are trapped in the cave with the cyclops Polyphemus, he takes advantage of Polyphemus’s sense of importance, telling him, “Here, Cyclops try this wine—to top off the banquet of human flesh you’ve bolted down!” (9.388-389). He is able to get the cyclops drunk, which makes it easier to attack.

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Although Odysseus proved to have guile on the Island of the Cyclops, he made crucial mistakes. Odysseus’ first mistake was taking his men into the Cyclops cave. This brought upon a dreadful chain of events, for even Odysseus knew. In fact he said “I knew some towering brute would be upon us soon-- all outward power, a wild man, ignorant of Civility” (Homer 8). This quote states how Odysseus had already predicted that the presentence of him and his men would come down on them; but his selfishness made the lives of his men expendable.

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Odysseus and his men had gotten stuck in Polyphemus’s cave with no way out and unluckily for them, this cyclops liked to snack on men. Odysseus needed to think of a way to get them out of there and fast before they all became lunch to Polyphemus. Odysseus’s plan was to offer him wine and to get on his good side before he had gotten drowsy and went to bed. After the cyclops had fallen asleep, Odysseus started putting his plan into action. He had taken the trunk of an olive tree and started carving away at the edges to make a spear shape.

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Odysseus knew some of his crew would die when they had to sail past Scylla, but he took that risk. He refrained from telling his shipmates what was coming so that they would continue with the journey. Odysseus was self-centered, unlike Percy.

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