Odysseus Punishment In Homer's Odyssey

Throughout Homer’s Odyssey, the gods punish men for acts of folly and greed. Men are prone to succumbing to temptations, even when receiving clear guidance. When Odysseus is punished for bragging about putting out Polyphemos’ eye, his punishment seems appropriate. When his crew is killed for eating Helios’ cattle, the punishment seems too harsh. The problem is then whether the gods punish these acts in a fair and just manner. The gods guide mortals to the best of their ability, but it is ultimately up to mortals to make their own decisions. Humans often commit acts of folly and greed because of conditions where they need to fill their physical needs and desires rather than the spiritual law of the gods. The gods’ punishment for these acts

At the island of the Kyklopes, Odysseus can not resist the urge to reveal his name after poking out the only eye of Poseidon’s son, Polyphemos. Odysseus feels compelled to take credit for his escape. As a result of this foolish act, Poseidon curses him. When Odysseus and his crew head for home, they coast the land of delight. Kirke had told Odysseus, “‘But if you raid the beeves, I see destruction for ship and crew. Rough years then lie between you and your homecoming’” (213). Odysseus does not fully obey the gods, nevertheless, at the island of Helios. Eurylokhos, a respected shipmate makes a plea to visit the land of Helios and the rest of the crew agrees. Rather than sticking to his own intuition and taking a firm leadership stance as a hero would, Odysseus succumbs to the pressure of his crew. He says, “‘Eurylokhos, they are with you to a man. I am alone, outmatched’” (219). Odysseus does not act as a leader and intervene, even though he has witnessed the foolishness of his crew in the past. A hero accepts help that is offered to him and is determined to accomplish his goals. They rise above their obstacles and fears. Odysseus fails to be a hero in these regards; he fails to assert the advice that Kirke gave to him. His crew later eats the cattle and Zeus punishes them with death by thunderbolt. On the other hand, Odysseus succeeds in controlling himself.

At the assembly in Ithaka, Zeus sends a warning to the suitors by launching eagles at them. Halitherses, the master of birdflight reading, forecasts that Odysseus shall return home promptly. Eurymakhos, a young leader among the suitors, dismisses this and insults Halitherses. The suitors slaughter Odysseus’ cattle, feast in his home, vie for his maids, and wife, Penelope. They also plan to kill Odysseus’ son, Telemakhos upon return from his visits to Nestor and Menelaos. The suitors are committing rapine and do not as good guests. In addition, they disrespect their hosts. When Odysseus is disguised as a beggar, he tells Amphinimos, “No man should flout the law, but keep in peace what gifts the gods may give’” (340). The suitors have abused the sacred law and stolen from Odysseus and his family. They have not accepted gifts but stolen from Ithaka. They abused their privileges by sleeping with the maids, vying for Penelope, and gorging on cattle. Ultimately, Athena aids Odysseus in slaughtering all the suitors for their actions. The suitors understood their actions and wholly embraced them. Their greed and foolishness was of the highest degree and it warranted a punishment as severe as their actions, death. Death was viewed by the gods as the correct punishment for the suitors as they seriously violated moral conduct and acted in the worst of