Theme Of Self Control In The Odyssey

In Homer’s Odyssey, there are many themes shared throughout the book. One of the more important topics is self-control. Self-Control is good because it allows the character to be able to restrict themselves at will. Also, it enables the user to of self-control to be calmer and calculated when in dire situations. Both of these examples of self-control are implemented by Homer in Odysseus, who is the main protagonist of books six through thirteen. Odysseus is the one who uses self-control in certain ways to show Homer's belief that self-control is not only vital but also allows Odysseus to be more fast acting and adds to his character. On top of this, it allows Odysseus to preserve his humanity. This is because it brings out his true nature when

They now found themselves stuck on the island of the Cyclops. When the men enter the home they find food and start to feast. Then the owner of the cave Pholyphemus found the men in his cave and became enraged and began to kill many of them. Odysseus was able to have enough self-control to not panic. He also planned on killing the giant but stopped himself “I thought at first to steal up to him,-and stab him in the chest-” (9.336-338). This is another example of self-control because even though he is mad he knows that the only way he and his men can escape is if the cyclops removes the rock blocking the exit. In this chapter, Odysseus proves that self-control makes people think about their actions. Another way this is shown is when Odysseus makes the cyclops tipsy who then asks for his name “So you ask me then name I am known by? Cyclops - Nobody- that is my name” (9.408-410). This event shows self-control because instead of proudly declaring his name Odysseus knows that giving his real name could ruin the plans he made so he could escape from the

When visiting the land of the Phaecians he participated in many of their sports. Odysseus did not tell them who he truly was as he was worried that they may do something to them once they knew who he was. The Phaecians say they are the best at many sports “so our guest can tell his friends - how far we excel the world at boxing, wrestling, jumping, speed of foot” (8.120-121). Odysseus then competes in the athletic games that have all the previous sports and proceeds to beat the Phaecians at their sports. They then try to make up excuses as to why they lost and bring up other topics. They are also shocked at how good the foreigner is at sports. When talking to them Odysseus tells them what truly mattered “The man who wins through skill and cunning is far superior to the man who wins through brute force.” (8.194-195) This quote shows that Odysseus believes that having self-control is very important and even more important than any competition. This helps us understand what Homer in general was truly thinking and also some of the beliefs that he may have carried when writing the book as a