Odysseus Weaknesses

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Throughout the Odyssey, it has become clear that Odysseus has a lot of weaknesses especially ones that revolve around his behavior which causes the life of others at times. The Odyssey is a long and complex epic poem that tells the story of a legendary hero named Odysseus. Odysseus is the King of Ithaca, a small island in Greece, and he is known especially for his quick-thinking, courage, cunning and resourcefulness. The Odyssey begins after the end of the Trojan War, in which Odyseeus played a key role as a warrior and strategist. After the war, Odysseus is on adventure to return back to his home back in Ithaca to his wife, Penelope, and his son Telemachus. He may have a lot of pros, but there are cons such as his: Arrogance, Hubris, and Quick-Temper. Odysseus' taunting of Polyphemus demonstrates the weakness of hubris, as his excessive pride and arrogance lead him to reveal his true identity and put his entire crew in danger. This hubristic behavior not only results in retaliation from Polyphemus but also sets in motion a series of events that ultimately delay Odysseus' journey home. Overall, …show more content…

However, his journey back to Ithaca is plagued with weaknesses that often lead to negative consequences for himself and his crew. One of these weaknesses is his hubris, as demonstrated in his taunting of Polyphemus, the Cyclops. Odysseus' excessive pride and arrogance lead him to reveal his true identity, putting his entire crew in danger and setting in motion a series of events that ultimately delay his journey home. This hubristic behavior ultimately leads to dangerous encounters with Poseidon, the sinking of his ship, and the loss of his entire crew, except for Odysseus himself. By showcasing the consequences of Odysseus' hubris, the text suggests that excessive pride and arrogance can be significant weaknesses that lead to negative