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The Virtues Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

594 Words3 Pages

Many stories include characters that are intelligent, brave, or loyal, but they usually do not possess more than one virtue. However in the Odyssey, Homer writes of a character who possesses all three virtues, making him unique! Odysseus is a virtuous hero because he is courageous, he is loyal, and he is intelligent.

Odysseus shows courage and bravery by showing a willingness to attempt impossible tasks and successfully finishing them. Odysseus shows bravery when he protects his crew from the sirens. He also shows courage when he tells the crew of what was foretold so they know what might happen. Odysseus tells his men on line 670, “...Keep well to seward; plug your oarsmen’s ears with beeswax kneaded soft; none of the rest should hear that …show more content…

According to Odysseus, “... I have been detained long by Calypso, loveliest among goddesses, who held me in her smooth caves, to be her heart’s delight… but in my heart I never gave consent. Where shall a mind find sweetness to surpass his own home and parents? In far lands he shall not…” (Homer line 141) Clearly Odysseus has been tempted to settle for many other places and people like Calypso, however his heart continues to be loyal to his home and so he continues to fight his way back …show more content…

He concocts a plan when he is stuck in the cave of the Cyclops. His plan allows him to not only get himself and his remaining crew members free of the cave but also free of the island as they sail away. Odysseus says,/explains/shows: Odysseus tells the Cyclops, “My name is Nohbdy: mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nohbdy.” Later the Cyclops yells, “Nohbdy, Nohbdy tricked me. Nohbdy ruined me!” (Home line 360). Because of the tricky use of the name Nohbdy, no one comes to help the Cyclops, allowing Odysseus and his crew the time needed to sail away. Odysseus also thinks quickly and concocts a plan to get his men out using the sheep. According to line 422, “Three abreast I tied them silently together, twining cords of willow from the ogre’s bed; then slung a man under each middle one to ride there safely, shielded left and right.” (Homer line 422-426). All of the remaining men and Odyseeus get past the Cyclops because he could only feel the sheep, not see the men. Odysseus won again using his

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