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The Importance Of Being A Leader In The Odyssey

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Mila Boudreau F Block 12/7/17 The Importance of Being a Leader What does it mean to be a leader? According to the dictionary, the definition of a leader is “the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.” Reading Homer’s, The Odyssey, I’ve realized what it takes to be a leader. Chapter after chapter, Odysseus has shown me the importance of being a leader and what traits are needed to have a safe and successful in which he did not contain. Yes, he made commands and constructed his men at certain times, but I believe there is more to being a leader than just being in charge. Throughout The Odyssey, by the famous author, Homer, Odysseus’s foolish actions affect him and his men for the worst. Over time, Odysseus has trouble making …show more content…

He repeats many mistakes yet it is never him who faces consequences. In the epic poem, it is shown that Odysseus is quite selfish. His actions show how he cares about himself more than he cares for his crew. For example, in book 12, Odysseus faced a variety of difficult obstacles over sea including the sirens. Sirens are individual sea creatures that stay together like a pack. Their voices are known to be so beautifully mesmerizing, that the minute their voices are heard, they real one in and once one is close enough, they devour you. When the crew and Odysseus had to get passed these creatures, with the help of Circe, Odysseus made each crew mate plug their ears with wax and keep sailing. He demanded they hold him back just so he could experience the pleasure of the sirens’ voices. It is clear that Odysseus is only a strong leader when he

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This draws no reaction from the ‘great leader’ as he tells his men to continue paddling through the water. Another sign of Odysseus’ arrogance comes with his passing of the siren. Odysseus arrogantly believes he, and he alone, can withstand the persuasion of the siren's song. Odysseus feels his men are too weak to weather the calls, thus, he instructs them to plug their ears. For the first time in the story, the king begins to fall to his desires.

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