Personal strengths and weaknesses are magnified during the course of a journey. Some strengths that were magnified during the course of Odysseus’ journey were courage and self-discipline. There were many instances in which he proves to be a courageous man. In the Cyclops story, Odysseus knows that whatever lives on the island he has arrived to is “a towering brute” and a “wild man ignorant of civility” and yet he decides to venture into the cave. His actions prove that he is courageous because although he knew of the danger ahead he decided to proceed. Self discipline, just like courage, is a strength that was continuously shown by Odysseus in the selection in which he reveals himself to his son. For instance, it is stated in lines 1124-1128 of page 599, “If they make fun of me in my own courtyard, let your ribs cage up your springing heart, no matter what I suffer if they pull me by the heels or practise shots at me, to drive me out.” This quote helps one understand why Odysseus could be categorized as disciplined by illustrating a way in which Odysseus’ self-discipline was enhanced, after all, not all people would be able to control their emotions after being humiliated in their …show more content…
Odysseus shows arrogance spasmodically through the course of his journey. As an illustration, in the Cyclops story one can see that Odysseus is arrogant in the lines where he says, “‘Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus raider of cities took your eye: Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca.” This corroborates with the idea that one of Odysseus greatest weaknesses is his arrogance by showing that his actions are sometimes driven by emotion and could have devastating consequences. Likewise, odysseus inability to control his men could be seen as a weakness as it brought upon him many ordeals he must