ipl-logo

The Virtue Of Leadership In Homer's Odyssey

864 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Leadership styles and behaviors

Leadership can be shown in many different ways, but a good leader is skilled can excel in all leadership roles. Leadership skills are a very good traits to have, if one knows how to use them correctly. Because there are many different factors to being a leader, one needs to be compatible to any situation by using any skill necessary. Also, leadership is important in impromptu situations and situations that have been planned out with following to help. The skills one would need to embody to be a good leader is someone who has a set of personal ethics that ensures leadership, takes charge and uses, and doesn’t abuse, their power, but is also liked by their followers. Leadership roles are best performed with a good set of ethics. Aristotelian virtues are the best set of ethics that a leader can have. These virtues or ethics are: courage, temperance, generosity, magnificence, magnanimity, ambitious, patience, truthfulness, carism, friendliness, modesty, and righteous indignation. If a leader is courageous and generous, they would step up to the call of duty, but also respect and give to their following. An example of being courageous can be seen in Odysseus, in The Odyssey, because he is courageous enough to fight the Cyclops and the Trojan army, …show more content…

Aristotle had a list of 12 virtues that he believed would make for a good leader, including courage, generosity, ambition, and patience. Machiavelli was a leader himself, so he had a very good idea of what a leader should act like to stay in power and get things done. And the story of Ozymandias gave the story of how one man lost power from being a poor leader and not possessing the correct traits. Homer wrote an epic poem dedicated to a man who was a leader who had to face many obstacles while staying strong, but still showing and understanding feelings. Leadership is a tough set of skills to master, but when mastered can be an amazing skill to

Show More
Related
511 Words | 3 Pages

Homer was an ancient Greek writer best known for his book of epic poems The Odyssey. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is the protagonist who is meant to be the hero throughout the story; however, he does not display heroic qualities through his impulsive decisions, he is full of hubris, and displays terrible leadership. Throughout the whole journey, Odysseus makes impulsive decisions by never sticking to one plan. In the beginning, Odysseus and his men are stuck in a cyclops cave.

Read More
916 Words | 4 Pages

Another positive leadership trait that Odysseus showed was at the danger strait. He knew that there were two options and he didn’t tell the crew the options. One option was to try to get past the whirlpool and if they didn’t make it they would all die. The other option was to face the six-headed monster and only have six people die. He was extremely smart by not telling his crew because they would probably have drifted towards the whirlpool and all died instead of just six people dying.

Read More
907 Words | 4 Pages

Leadership is a difficult quality to obtain. There are many characteristics that person needs to have in order to be considered a leader. Most important characteristics to have while in charge are intelligence, common sense, cautiousness, and bravery. Two leaders that are well-known in history are Maria Theresa of Austria and Odysseus, the main character in Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. This epic poem has a main focus of leadership and it is a great piece of text to get the reader to ask questions and try to find out the characteristics that make a good leader.

Read More
769 Words | 4 Pages

Webster Dictionary defines leadership as simply, “providing direction or guidance,” but to be a successful leader one must focus on completing a goal in a way that is beneficial for the majority, not only the one in charge. This can be achieved by utilitarianism, which is doing of what is best for the most number of people, and carrying out actions that lead to positive effects, instead of merely being done with good intentions. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is not an exemplary leader because he went against utilitarianism by not being honest with his men, letting his arrogance control his behavior, and by killing many people in his house without a fair trial. Firstly, a leader must be truthful with those he works with in order for no errors or confusion to occur as a result of information being hidden. In The Odyssey, not being truthful lead to negative consequences for everyone on Odysseus’ ship, and thus contradicted the principle of utilitarianism stating that actions must lead to positive effects.

Read More
243 Words | 1 Pages

Odysseus the Great! Odysseus was a great leader. The first example that Odysseus was a great leader is he was determined to get back to Ithaca. This is helpful in a good leader because if he was not determined his crew would not want him to lead anymore and might find a new leader.

Read More
367 Words | 2 Pages

To make a great protagonist that flows well with other characters, authors tend to use themes of great leadership in their stories. Homer’s, The Odyssey, is an epic poem about the journey home of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, after the Trojan War. Along the way, he faces many challenges, including the wrath of the sea-god Poseidon. In the story, Odysseus shows examples of leadership through instances of human flaw and great warriorship throughout the epic poem.

Read More
1900 Words | 8 Pages

Douglas MacArthur once said “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others,” His saying points out that in order to be a true leader, they shall be confident and independent as well as courageous through difficult decisions and open-minded. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus shows all of these traits during his journey returning home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Odysseus as a human makes foolish mistakes, many important choices are made during his trip to Ithaca, he truly is longing for his return home and does whatever it takes whether it is good or bad. Odysseus shows elements of good leadership throughout book IX. In the beginning,

Read More
302 Words | 2 Pages

A good leader must be able to contribute something to their team. Odysseus contributes his outstanding smarts and quick thinking to guide his

Read More
651 Words | 3 Pages

When thinking about stories we think about adventures in other worlds or tales that teach a lesson in the end, just as you originally thought, The Odyssey writer Homer, an ancient Greek poet, wrote the adventures of the legendary Odysseus who was a courageous hero that faced any challenge in front of him. One thing Homer believes but not directly is that Odysseus is a great example of a true leader. Odysseus proved he was a good leader in many occasions most importantly him always taking his responsibilities as a leader seriously, him and his son, Telemachus, executing the ones who proved they don’t belong in the palace, and finally Odysseus helping his men escape the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus. One reason Odysseus shows great leadership is when he’s handed a task or a gift from a god or ruler and he gives it great thought and care.

Read More
532 Words | 3 Pages

Oddyseus is not a Hero It is often believed that heroes are great leaders. While that is true, leadership skills are not something that makes someone a hero. The Odyssey written by the greek philosopher, Homer, is the most well known Epic Poem from 750 B.C. In The Odyssey, Odysseus, the king of Ithica is sent to fight in the Trojan War.

Read More
224 Words | 1 Pages

Another good leadership skill is the ability to compromise. This is an important skill for someone in charge of or leading others. Being diplomatic helps to negotiate favorable terms for both parties in a disagreement. Odysseus makes many compromises and choices throughout The Odyssey. He has to choose between leaving Circe’s island without the half of his men that were turned to pigs, or he could go himself to try and get them back.

Read More
1105 Words | 5 Pages

LEADERSHIP IN HENRY V Throughout history, we have seen many great leaders marshal and inspire their men. From Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr, to Alexander the Great and Winston Churchill. Although undoubtedly different in their styles and methodologies, it is without doubt that all of these people were very strong and effective leaders. In William Shakespeare’s Henry V, we are also presented with different leaders – King Henry, King Charles IV of France, and the French Prince, the Dauphin.

Read More
720 Words | 3 Pages

Leaders are very wise people. They can find the solution to difficult situations. People follow these leaders for guidance and enlightenment. To this definition, the characters Atticus Finch, from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and Odysseus, from Homer’s

Read More
1449 Words | 6 Pages

Acquiring leadership skills along with a strong character and the sense to serve others is vital. A leader should be resourceful, dependable, selfless, and a good problem solver. I have led in many ways- inside and outside of school. Last year as a tenth grader, I was class secretary for Class Council.

Read More
620 Words | 3 Pages

Throughout the story “The Odyssey” by Homer Odysseus, the main character counters countless amounts of trouble. As king and leader it is his job to keep his men save and get the job done. Odysseus does whatever it takes to keep his men unharmed, and more importantly, alive. All his crew and him dream about is getting back to their homeland, but first they have to pass the obstacles. Odysseus demonstrates good leadership qualities by doing whatever it takes to get the job done, using his advanced cunning abilities to trick his enemy, and constantly saving his crew from dangers.

Read More

More about The Virtue Of Leadership In Homer's Odyssey

Open Document