Battles, Giants, Monsters, Gods, and Goddesses. Odysseus, the great hero from the epic poem The Odyssey, by Robert Fagles, is a cunning man who faces many challenges and foes on his journey home to Ithaca. However, he makes many grave mistakes, learning how to balance pride, impatience, and stubbornness with greatness. Through the stories passed down, these lessons are ones to be learned by all. Following Odysseus on his journey instills values and life lessons in the readers that can be mirrored in their odysseys. A powerful lesson within Homer’s Odyssey is that nothing is achieved without the help of others. Not only a King, Odysseus is a powerful military might, leading hundreds of men to battle in the Trojan War. He relied on his men just as much as they relied on him. …show more content…
we seized our stake with its fiery tip and bored it round and in the giant’s eye.” (Fagles 9. 429-434. This is an impossible feat to be done alone, one that requires the strength of many men. Odysseus wouldn’t have been able to escape from Polyphemus if not for the help of his valiant crew. However, Polyphemus was just the beginning of the hurdles Odysseus had to jump. The gray-eyed Goddess grew quite fond of Odysseus, aiding him in as many ways as she could along his journey. Appearing on the coasts of Ithaca “she might change his appearance head to foot as she told him every peril he’d meet at home” (Fagles 13). 216-218) Odysseus could then scrutinize the competition of the suitors without any hassle. Athena’s adoration for Odysseus saved him on many occasions. While in Ithaca, it proved difficult to find a place to stay for Odysseus. During Odysseus’ rule, he earned the trust of his people, who wanted nothing more than to see the return of their great king. While staying with Eumaues, Odysseus learned how much his people still valued and worshiped