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The Flawed Character Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

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The main character Odysseus in the Odyssey written by Homer is generally thought to be a great hero; however, he shows more traits of a quite flawed character on closer inspection. Around the beginning of Odysseus’ journey home after the war, Odysseus decides to take a detour to the home of a cyclops deciding to not listen to his men’s suggestions to leave while they still could; consequently, it does not end well: “Ah, how sound that was, Yet I refused. I wished to see the caveman, what he had to offer no pretty sight it turned out, for my friend” (9.130-132). This thought by Odysseus shows that he realized his decision to go to the mysterious island wasn’t the most rational one and that his men’s pleas to leave were the better option, but he decides to be stubborn and place his curiosity before his men’s safety resulting in a non-heroic …show more content…

At the end of part 2 of the Odyssey, when Odysseus is finally home and confronts the suitors in his home, he decides to slaughter them all for invading his home and courting his wife: “Not for the whole treasures of your fathers, all you enjoy, lands, flocks, or any gold put up by others will I hold my hand. There will be killing till the price is paid” (22.62-64). This quote from Odysseus shows that he was furious at the suitors, and he would allow no other atonement for their crimes except death. While the suitors all did wrong things, their actions did not deserve the death penalty. This shows that Odysseus was not thinking straight and being fair, and this is not something a hero would do. While Odysseus did have good intentions of bringing his men home, he continuously made poor and selfish decisions, and he was constantly putting his men in danger more often than

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Additionally, he does not keep control over his shipments, which causes the crew to intensify the unfavorable outcome. Odysseus is a stubborn man who only does what he thinks is best instead of thinking of what is best for everyone. He was, however, a great leader when

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Although Odysseus proved to have guile on the Island of the Cyclops, he made crucial mistakes. Odysseus’ first mistake was taking his men into the Cyclops cave. This brought upon a dreadful chain of events, for even Odysseus knew. In fact he said “I knew some towering brute would be upon us soon-- all outward power, a wild man, ignorant of Civility” (Homer 8). This quote states how Odysseus had already predicted that the presentence of him and his men would come down on them; but his selfishness made the lives of his men expendable.

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He is very quick to make irrational, dangerous, opposite of what he was told decisions. When Kirke tells him to choose a path, on his way there would be a terrible sea monster Scylla. Kirke warned Odysseus that the monster would take his best men, and that if they would start fighting her they would lose more men if not all. But in the moment of rage which Odysseus was unable to control he took the arms and started fighting the beast. This action is unbelievingly selfish of him because he put his men into more danger than needed by not following Kirke’s directions.

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After Odysseus reveals his identity a lot happens. Well when he comes home after this war a lot has been rearranged and Odysseus isn 't to happy bout it. Things were taken, wife was disrespected, and his house was just taken over by wooers and the maids. Yes I do believe Odysseus was justified in his own actions.

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Odysseus is filled with lots of pride and arrogance. In Book IX when Odysseus tells Polyphemus his name and full address, this allows Polyphemus to be able to curse Odysseus after Odysseus told Polyphemus, “I wish to kill you and send you to hell as surely no one will ever unblind your eye, not even Earthshaker!” Odysseus also does not seem to care about whether his men are to die. Odysseus tended to either stand by or to leave them die. Odysseus just left for his men to die when he came in contact with the Laestygonians.

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The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer about the main character Odysseus, as he goes on adventures and accomplishes heroic feats. In the epic poem The Odyssey that Homer, the hero, Odysseus, he tries to create is not really a hero at all because he couldn’t follow Circe’s simple advice against battle, he kills all the suitors instead of accepting the deal, and he prolongs and intensifies his journey by angering Polyphemus. Primarily, Odysseus didn’t follow Circe’s simple advice to not bear arms against Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus put his entire crew in danger instead of taking the safer and more obvious route.

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The ancient greek story The Odyssey, written by Homer, shows how well the authors incorporated their beliefs and ways of life into their writing. A main belief that is emphasized in the book is Hubris, or excessive pride in oneself. The main character, Odysseus, is a human embodiment of this quality. Many of the choices he makes across not only what is covered in The Odyssey, but also his previous endeavours, are based on this. Although some are rather rash and lead to his possible demise, others show his brave side and his true qualities of being a hero.

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Odysseus, the man of many wiles, was a man of many strengths both as a leader and a man, whom suffered many weaknesses like all men do. Odysseus displays his many strengths and struggles throughout his mighty journey in The Odyssey of Homer, a verse translation by Allen Mandelbaum. In book 18, Odysseus displays his great physical strength as a man while disguised as a beggar with this powerful quote. " But don't provoke my fists; do not incite; however old I am, if we should fight, your chest and lips would run with blood; that done, tomorrow we'd be spared another ruckus—I doubt that you'd be visiting with us again—here in the halls of lord Odysseus." (Homer 361)

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In “The Odyssey”, Odysseus, the protagonist, displays an unusual heroic characteristic: curiosity. Odysseus told his men to wait, and that he wanted to meet the Cyclops, for the sake of satisfying his curiosity, saying, “But I would not listen, though it would have been best, wishing to see the giant himself, and test his hospitality.” This goes to show that Odysseus’ strong sense of curiosity tends to guide his decisions. This, however, is a good thing, since it can lead him to new discoveries. In conclusion, Odysseus’ curiosity makes him a unique

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He shows that he only needs him and his son to triumph over hundreds and translates that to power. Before he kills the suitors, he bragged to even them that they would not make it out alive because of the power and strength he possessed. Even looking at the large piles of dead bodies, Odysseus feels no remorse just the feeling of pride after having regained his power. A ruler is supposed to show his followers how to live and behave, but Odysseus does the opposite by killing his people, showing he only desires to have the throne for power, not because he cares for his country. Strength and dominance can be shown in unethical ways, especially when striving for

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Odysseus consistently does not consider any consequences, and overall is not a good person in that respect. Odysseus is illogical and lacks common sense while on his journey home, and puts himself and others in dangerous situations. He struggles to think logically when he is in a pressurized

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Odysseus: Heroism Essay Odysseus, a name uttered in nearly each and every sentence, but one of the extensive controversies of all time revolves around our most cherished character of the most illustrious greek franchise, The Odyssey, by one of the most famous B.C. authors, Homer. The great puzzle, as described in layman's terms, would be is Odysseus a hero? Many people would argue that he is, those people are dead now, the remaining people state that he’s just an average guy who happens to be blessed by several ancient gods known to unfairly punish their subjects. When in reality he’s not trying to be rude nor hurt others, but is out purely for himself and his journey to re-obtain the love of his lost wife Penelope.

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In my opinion, Odysseus, the man of twists and turns, is a fool. He caused our deaths and evaded death itself once again. The gods favor him so. They admire him more than any modern man, and they cherish him more than any noble warrior will ever be praised. Without turning towards his dying men, the scoundrel flees like a coward to escape the inevitable, fate.

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I honestly think ''Odysseus'' was smart in a lot of ways. I mean he knew that maybe some of his choices he made seemed dumb at first but the outcome made it seem like some of his choices is smart after all. I personally think that he is justified in this actions. In the story most if not all of the punishments happened in return of something for example ''Odysseus'' left without anyone knowing and also took his men along with him later on they got attacked. As you see if ''Odysseus'' would've left how could and would that had happen.

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Hello son, It is I your sublime father, Odysseus. I do sincerely apologise for how long I’ve been gone, however, I have been on a great many quests. What have you done? Surly I have seen more in my time out than you will in your life. Anyway, I landed on the island of the Cyclopes while in search of supplies.

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