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How Did Odysseus Learn

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When Will Odysseus Learn? In Greek mythology, a hero is characterized as someone who is brave, strong, and powerful. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus, the hero, has been gone to his home in Ithaca for around twenty years facing obstacle after obstacle after the Trojan War. Before returning home, there are a few lessons he must learn, such as: humility, improving his leadership skills, and practicing xenia. Throughout his adventures, Odysseus has continuously worsened his and his crew’s problems due to his pride. In order for him to return home as king of Ithaca, he must learn to be humble. Odysseus and his crew successfully escaped Polyphemus, the cyclops, by outsmarting him and telling him a fake name. However, Odysseus cannot help but reveal himself, just to gain credit for this cunning act. So, he yells out of his ship, …show more content…

He can also improve on sharing his knowledge with them, so that everybody is on the same page. Overall, an important lesson Odysseus has started to learn is being able to control and communicate with his people. Finally, throughout his adventures, Odysseus must learn to show xenia to the many people he encounters along the way. Xenia is the practice of welcoming others as well as being a proper guest. When Odysseus arrived on the Island of the Cicones, he “sacked the town and killed the men”. We took their wives and shared their riches equally among us. The enemy assembled round the ships and fought with swords of bronze"(Homer 9.41-54). This scene shows what not practicing xenia looks like, Odysseus crew started a battle, so the Cicones fought back. Instead of acting like the lost crew they are, Odysseus decides to raid the first island he finds after the Trojan War. Instead of asking for help, they attack the whole village, leading to more trouble and deaths for

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