Who Is Responsible For Odysseus's Downfall

Throughout the epic poem, “The Odyssey,” written by Homer, we readers read through the perilous journeys taken upon Odysseus and his men, while being caught in a web of his hubris leading to his downfall. Ultimately suggesting the lesson to not be too prideful of our actions as it can lead to contributions to one’s downfall While taking the challenge to defeat Polyphemus, Odysseus, and his men end up puncturing his eye with a stake, leading the cyclopes to be distraught in pain. As the men were retreating to their ship, the cyclopes doubled in fury when Odysseus taunted Polyphemus. Odysseus’ men yelled at Odysseus to retreat to the ship as the cyclopes could do more damage than they had done. Odysseus, too caught up in his pride, continued

If his men had heard his songs, they would have wrecked and drowned the whole ship. Odysseus had kneaded the beeswax for his men, but left himself with no wax upon his ears. He had instead insisted on being tied down because he wanted to be the only man capable of enduring the temptation of the songs. “...in ardor appealing over the water made me crave to listen, and I tried to say ‘Untie me!’...jerking my brows.” (Homer Book #12 Lines 122-125) This prideful mindset of Odysseus had left his men at risk of death and almost killing his men off. Moreover, he ignored Circe’s warning, but he had also been told to avoid Charybdis by Circe. “...and Charybdis lurks below to swallow down to dark sea tide..if you come up on her then the god who makes the earth tremble could not save you.” (Homer Book #12 Lines 62-65). Her advice ran through and Odysseus asked her to pass Charybdis or fight off Scylla if Charybdis were to cause harm to his crew, to which Circe answers, “Lose headway there along that rock face while you break out arms, and she’ll swoop you over, I fear, once more, taking one man again for every gullet.” (Homer Book #12 Lines

Later on in the journey, they travel through where Charybdis and Scylla are bluntly, ignoring Circe’s order. This resulted in a travail of defeating two monsters. “... my men all blanched against the gloom, our eyes were fixed upon that yawning mouth in fear of being devoured...then Scylla made her strike, whisking six of my best men from the ship.” (Homer Book #12 Lines 185-190). Homer implies Odysseus’ pride by losing his men as he preferred to follow his journey based upon his orders besides Circe. Not listening to her, Odysseus lost his men, which also resulted in his voyage being unsuccessful and a messy fight. Odysseus’ hubris leads to his downfall by losing his men and creating a mess within his journey with him and his