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Odysseus's Leadership In The Odyssey By Homer

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The epic poem The Odyssey by Homer deals with themes and ideas that connect with the real, modern world, despite it being a fictional tale written a long time ago. Some of these ideas include the concept of hubris as well as loyalty, both of which the main character, Odysseus, possesses. Although Odysseus can be arrogant and can lead his men into danger, he is a good leader because he uses his intelligence to get his men out of tough situations, and he is loyal and motivational towards them.
While Odysseus’ curiosity can get him and his men into tough situations, his intelligence can get them out. When Odysseus was stuck in the Cyclops cave with his men, he tricked the Cyclops into thinking his ship was destroyed. By saying “‘My ship? Poseidon Lord, who sets the earth atremble, broke it up on the rocks at your land’s end” (9. 273-274), he prevented the Cyclops from thinking about attacking the ship. This statement shows he was thinking ahead and using his intelligence and cleverness to keep them safe. When the Cyclops asks who he was, he said his name was “Nohbdy” (9. 360-361). Again, he is tricking the Cyclops and thinking ahead. This time, instead of preventing the ship from being damaged, Odysseus stops other Cyclops from trying to help Polyphemus. His intelligence allows him and his men to …show more content…

Despite doing things only for himself sometimes, he cares for his men and protects them, as well as motivates them. When they encounter the lotus flowers, some of his men eat them and no longer want to go home. Odysseus doesn’t want to leave them behind to suffer, so he brings them back to this ship and ties them down, despite their protests (9. 211-215). By tying them down, he shows that he wants the best for them and that he is willing to protect them no matter what. He also warns the rest of the men about the lotus flowers as well, which proves that he does not want to see the rest of his men get

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