Why Is Odysseus Inherently Wrong

Written by the famous Greek author, Homer, The Odyssey depicts the tribulations of Odysseus’ voyage home, with one encounter featuring a barbaric humanoid: the Cyclops. Odysseus degrades and injures the creature, to which some may claim is inhumane and unnecessary, as the Cyclops was only abiding by its core principles. While I agree that the Cyclops acting on its own values is not inherently wrong, I do not believe that Odysseus was immoral in retaliating and hurting the Cyclops: as Odysseus was only following his own values. If one’s principles affect another, and it negatively impacts the recipient, then it should not be considered morally incorrect for them to resist and oppose, in order to maintain their own values. When Odysseus’ crew

After the cyclops Polyphemus snacked on a couple of Odysseus’ crew members, Odysseus devises a plan to escape, stabbing the cyclops’ eye, and taunting, “How do you like the beating that we gave you, / you damned cannibal?” as his ship is sailing away (Homer, The Odyssey, 9.501). Some people believe that it was unethical of Odysseus to harm Polyphemus, as the cyclops was only following its values of sustenance and life. I believe that this logic is flawed, as the same could be applied to Odysseus; he is not wrong for attacking Polyphemus, because Odysseus was only upholding his own values, the survival of him and his crew. If someone’s principles are prioritized over your well-being so that it becomes detrimental to you, how can it be wrong for you to defy them? Another example of others imposing their values on Odysseus is when when Calypso imprisons him

With no regard for Penelope’s happiness nor her desire to be with Odysseus, the suitors pursue the principle they deem most important, political power; but this conflicts with Odysseus’ values to regain political stability and his desire to be with Penelope. Odysseus must then confront the suitors if he is to achieve his values, and decides he must slaughter all of the suitors. As the novel progresses, even Odysseus is found to prioritize his principles over others, as evident with his shipmates. When Odysseus’ ship must traverse past Scylla and Charybdis, he is faced with a decision, to either “mourn / six men” or “lose them all, and the ship, too” (Homer, Odyssey, 12.119). In this case, Odysseus must place his values of his return home and his life, over the lives of the six crew members. But I would not consider this as morally incorrect since anyone in Odysseus’ position would do the same: it is the optimal decision that will provide the greatest benefit to the most amount of people. As greedy as the suitors are, tormenting Penelope and Telemachus, and as heartless of a decision it may seem for Odysseus to make, I do not think either group is in the wrong, as they are only following their principles. I do not