Flaws In The Odyssey

Book IX presents an eager Odysseus wanting to “…find out about these [the Cyclopes] people, and learn what they are” (Od. 9.174) clearly demonstrating his curiosity. Despite numerous warnings from his men to leave, Odysseus uses his superiority to make the rash decision of exploring the Cyclopes land. Likewise in book X, after a warning from Eurylochos to leave and not bother with the goddess, Circe, Odysseus disregards what he has been told due to his curiosity and desire to approach Circe himself – “…only I shall go. For there is a strong compulsion upon me.” (10.272-273). There is a heavy emphasis on how Odysseus’ curiosity continually leads to decisions that would be considered irrational and near irresponsible because of the potential danger he is leading not only himself but also his companions into. At times, this damages is reduced through Odysseus’ cleverness which can be seen when he lies to Polythemus and tells him that their ships have been destroyed instead of revealing there location. He does this as he “…knew too much and was not deceived…” (9.281-282) and in doing so, protects himself and his

Odysseus frequently displays hubris as a result of his tremendous courage and justifiable pride throughout books 9-12 of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, although this flaw reveals that even heroes can have imperfections. For instance, concealing his identity is key to Odysseus defeating the Cyclops, however his arrogance leads him to reveal himself as a “raider of cities” (9.561), demonstrating his desire to be recognized for his destructive power. Furthermore, even though he only flatters himself, Odysseus successfully motivates his men in the face of yet another threat, by boasting that his “tactics saved [them] all” (12.230), as if his actions alone rescued the rest of his crewmates. Odysseus’ crew admires him for his fearlessness, and they

Odysseus in addition is very selfish with his actions towards his men. For example, when Odysseus insists on staying in the Cyclops habitat the see what he has to offer instead of taking some things and leaving. He put all of his men in danger without a good cause. Furthermore, Odysseus knew he would lose some of his men when encountering Scylla and Charybdis who were monstrous creatures waiting to try and take Odysseus and his crew down.

One of the big blocks in the road for Odysseus and was getting stuck on Calypso’s island, which delayed him in his travels for about seven years, that’s seven years that he could have spent on the sea trying to get home but instead he was on Calypso’s island. Eventually he got off of Calypso’s island because Hermes comes and tells Calypso to let Odysseus go and Calypso gives Odysseus the option

He has loyalty, bravery, and courage. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is very loyal toward his men and will protect or rescue them if necessary. He’s brave and courageous when it comes to fighting and won’t hesitate to act. He’s also very clever. For example, Odysseus outwitted the Cyclops, Polyphemus, by giving a false name to disguise his identity. Amid all these qualities, there are still kinks in Odysseus’s character. His pride becomes evident after his confrontation with the Cyclops, where, after a narrow escape, he wished to bother Polyphemus again. His men had to plead to him, saying, “Godsake, Captain! Why bait the beast again? Let him alone!” Odysseus also struggles with selfish actions. For example, he feasts with Circe instead of rescuing his men first. The temptations got the better of him and in turn led him down the wrong

They typical epic hero possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence, is helped or harmed by gods or fate, embodies qualities valued by the culture, or overcomes perilous situations. Odysseus is the main character, and hero of the epic The Odyssey written by Homer in ancient greek times. He is challenged by giant cyclops, hundreds of men trying to marry his wife, envious sirens, and the constant struggle of trying to return home to his family in Ithaka. The epic hero Odysseus is characterized by his cunningness and determination through struggle, though flawed by his ego.

The character in Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey has heroic characteristics that make an archetype of an epic hero in literature. Odysseus is the ideal man, handsome, brave strong and loyal. He possesses characteristics that make people around him trust him as their leader like intelligence and loyalty, but he also has flaws like being self centered and over prideful at times as well, being arrogant. He shows his good qualities by overcoming obstacles in the story and getting his men out of trouble. Show showed his arrogance when he taunted the cyclops when they were leaving the island.

Odysseus being one of the most flawed characters in the book struggled vigorously with his imperfections. Odysseus presented many flawed actions throughout the book conveying him as an arrogant and conceited individual. He demonstrated on many occasions his arrogant thoughts and actions and he did not seem to have any sort of remorse to his actions making his doings almost inhumane. One example of Odysseus arrogance is observed when he and his crew are escaping the firm and fatal grasp of Cyclops, the son of Poseidon, God of the Sea. They come up with a plan to get Cyclops intoxicated with the wine they had brought for their voyage before getting captured, after succeeding with the first half of their plan they set out to complete the second part; gouging out his eyes.

This is one of the biggest flaws of Odysseus because his self confidence drives him to failure. For example, he almost got his whole crew and ship destroyed in The Cyclops cave. Here’s text from the story about the Cyclops. “ O Cyclops! Would you feast on my companions?

When at the island of the Cyclopes Odysseus puts his men in jeopardy by antagonizing Polyphemus. Odysseus decided to tell Polyphemus his name thus encouraging the Cyclops to pray for his men’s death and Odysseus’ journey home to be a long one. Odysseus blamed the gods for this yet he was the one who put his fate in the hands of Polyphemus. It can also be said that Odysseus could have controlled his fate another time. Odysseus was told not to eat the cattle of Helios so he make sure to tell his crew these strict orders.

At the beginning of the epic story The Odyssey, Odysseus left his home Ithaca to fight in the Trojan War for Greece. When leaving for the war, Odysseus left his beloved new born son Telemachus and his wife Penelope. Some may not agree, but leaving family is really hard to do when knowing that you might not see each other ever again. To leave family one must be brave such as Odysseus to help ones family believe that they will return. In another since Odysseus is brave because "he comes out alive after wondering for ten years and facing the most extremely dangerous creatures and people"(Dickson ET all). Many monsters and creatures that he faces are much bigger and stronger than he is. In his journey back home Odysseus makes a mistake by going to the island of Cyclops. Him and his men encounter a Cyclops named Polyphemus. Polyphemus traps Odysseus and his men in his cave by swinging "high overhead a

If I was Odysseus I would feel the same way home. In the 10years getting back home was even worst. he goes to a island loses some of his men to a Cyclops. Then his men was drug and drunk. After that he lost even more men to

First of all, Odysseus was very selfish during their journey back to Ithaca. For example,“We lit a fire, burnt an offering, and we took some cheese to eat; then sat in silence around the embers, waiting”(Homer 219-222). If Odysseus took the cheese and left, his men would not have had to dealt with Polyphemus. He put himself before his men because he wanted a gift from the cave owner. Odysseus was also selfish when he sailed near the lands of Sirens.“Steer wide; keep well to seaward; plug your oarsmen’s ears with beeswax kneaded soft”(Homer 669-671). Although Circe told Odysseus to steer clear of the area, Odysseus wanted to be known as the man who survived a Siren’s song. He put his own men in danger just because he wanted to become famous. Odysseus was also very arrogant to think that he could get past the Sirens.

When Odysseus is in trouble he always shows that he is depending on the gods by praying to them. The fact that the gods usually listen to him shows that he is well liked by the gods. In order to be a Greek hero you had to be liked by the gods since religion was such a big part in their lives. Odysseus, with the help of the gods, can survive adventures that kill most other men. Odysseus travels to the island of the Cyclopians. The Cyclopians are giants that have one eye, they don't fear the gods because they believe that they are better than the gods and they eat people. They represent the opposite of what Greek men should be. Odysseus and his men meet Polyphemus the Cyclops. Polyphemus being a Cyclops eats some of Odysseus' men. Odysseus with the help of the gods figures out a plan to escape and he does. Scylla is a ferocious monster with six heads that kills most men that pass by her island. She kills six of Odysseus' men. Odysseus prevents her from killing himself and more men. There is another ferocious monster named Charybdis. Charybdis sucks in water from the sea and creates a whirlpool that kills any ship that passes by. Odysseus passes by her. His crew is killed and his ship is destroyed in the whirlpool but Odysseus alone survives. There is an island that Odysseus passes by with monsters called Sirens on it. The Sirens sing beautiful songs that lure ships toward them. The ships then crash into the island and the people are killed.

He rested for three days before departing back home. After another month he arrived back home to a celebration. Neapolis had a hero living among them. He would forever be honored for his bravery.