Self Control In The Odyssey

“The Hero doesn’t Get the Reward; the Hero Pays the Price” (anon). One of the heroes who paid the dear price was Odysseus, a hero who fought in The Trojan War. Odysseus was the man who came up with the plan to build the wooden horse, ending the rigorous fight with it. Odysseus was going back home after earning the victory for his country, which he was king of one of the kingdoms -Ithaca-. But Odysseus faced trials that constrained him ten years late to arrive home. His story about how he faced these trials and tests, was written in the Epic: “The Odyssey” by Homer. After reaching home, and completing the trials called upon him, Odysseus was deemed a legend and a hero.

In the light of trials Odysseus went through, he revealed a manifold of

Self-control led Odysseus’ men to glory, not dying from the first challenge set upon them. To clarify, Odysseus demonstrated that having restraint can be crucial in times of war. For instance, when the trials were done and the king went back home; he saw that his house was filled with suitors. Odysseus then controlled himself and didn’t take foolish actions, but waited and made a plan. This idea was then further elucidated in the words of Homer, “The stool he let fly hit the man’s shoulder. Odysseus only shook his head, as he walked on” (Homer 685). After Odysseus came up with the plan to sabotage them from the inside, he went to the suitors, where he asked for food -disguised as a beggar-. After asking for food, the haughty suitor Antinous, bashfully threw a stool, just to defend for that meager comment, “A pity you have more looks than hearts”. Although Odysseus could’ve ended his life right now and then, he waited patiently; That is the true format of self-control, holding one’s eager covets in the most crucial moments. If Odysseus just gave up and fought back, his plan would’ve failed, for he can’t fight hundreds of men all alone; proving that self-control is

For instance, he left his men in the dark; not knowing the truth about the cattle of the sun god, and how they would die if they ate them. Odysseus told them, “” (Homer !#), not revealing the reason; which divulges his inordinate arrogance. Odysseus didn’t show leadership nor self-control here, so why is he considered a hero -some might argue, but it’s inaccurate to judge people from their mistakes. Odysseus was called arrogant, but his real face is heroic; saving his army and winning the war for them. Whoever judged from Odysseus from his errors, was only focusing on the inadequate side; this idea was falsified numerous times. In fact, many quotes have been written about judging people from their mistakes, one of many being “To judge a man by his weakest deed is like judging the power of the ocean by one wave” (Elvis Presley); in the end, Odysseus was a hero, not a