Odysseus sufficiently exercises his authority as captain by warning his men in every possible way of the consequences they might face. Odysseus and his men have been sailing for a multitude of days, tired and weary from their travels. During the journey, Odysseus had been warned both by Teiresias and Kirke that if the boat were to land on Helios’ island, there would be fatal doom waiting for them. Specifically, Odysseus was warned that if they killed any of Helios’ heifers or sheep, his crew would surely perish. As the crew is sailing, they spot an island, which Odysseus knows to be Helios’. Odysseus petitions to the men why they should not land on the island by telling his men of the destruction they could face. His sailors, exhausted, protest Odysseus’ plea and Eurylokhos demands to land on the island. …show more content…
I am alone, outmatched./ Let this whole company/ swear to me a great oath: Any herd of cattle/ or flock of sheep shall go unharmed;” (12.377-384). Not only does Odysseus tell his men directly what they are not to do, he attempts to express to his men his concern that their fate is most likely sealed. Odysseus realizes that fate is against them no matter what and tries to convey to his men that he senses doom when he sees “the power of destiny devising ill”. Odysseus further emphasizes this by answering “without hesitation” to demonstrate to his men that he is confident in what he is saying. Odysseus warns his men of consequences they may face by being confident and aware of the fact that their destiny is already set in stone.