Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

Odysseus is one of the most legendary heroes since ancient times. He is the type of person you picture when you hear the word “hero”. He is extremely noble and brave, but sometimes his other traits are overlooked. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus shows attributes of cleverness, altruism, and courage, and the use of these characteristics could be perceived as heroic or the opposite. Odysseus demonstrates profound cleverness throughout the book. For example when Odysseus and his men were trapped and about to become the dinner of the Cyclops, Polyphemus, he showed his wits in numerous ways resulting in their escape. Odysseus intoxicated the Cyclops and told him that his name was Nobody. When the giant fell asleep they used a very large sharp stick to stabbed him in the eye. When he screamed the neighbors came and opened the door to check on him. They escaped as Polyphemus shouted that Nobody was killing him, so the neighbors left. However, Odysseus shouted back that it was him, and Poseidon who was the father of Polyphemus, heard his son begging him to avenge his injury. Poseidon developed a newfound grudge against Odysseus that would come back to haunt him and his

He always did all he could to protect his men. He stayed awake for nine days and nights working the sheet alone to make sure that they returned home safely. However, he did not always put others before himself. He was unfaithful to his wife several times, and put his own feelings and luxuries before hers. For a year he lived in opulence on the Island of Circe, who became his lover, instead of trying to return home. He also lets his ego get in the way of his safety and the safety of others. Poseidon might not have found out about Odysseus blinding his son if Odysseus had not called out that it was him as they escaped. When they went to Circe’s island he insisted that they explore and find the natives, but all of his men ended up cursed into pigs excluding