Examples Of Kleos In The Odyssey

The central theme of the Greek epic narrative, kleos (“heroic fame”), has presented many conflicting perspectives within the Odyssey. As the vocaliser of his own fame, Odysseus’ kleos gains both a subjective and objective aspect. Kleos, the far reaching fame “heard among men” is projected through the voice of the bards, not the hero himself. As Walter Marg states, this kleos is “the great desire of the Homeric hero” , and this desire may only be satisfied by the repository of knowledge that is the bard. Hesiod, analysing the epic tradition, further suggests that these muses have the ability to speak “falsehoods that resemble truth”. This will be discussed in detail with reference to the passage 9.19-20:

“I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, who to all men are a concern by my

This escape emphasises an extremely important attribute: his metis (‘cunning intelligence’). Through the use of his metis, it would have been entirely possible for Odysseus and his men to escape Polyphemus without resorting to these extremes of violence. Odysseus inflicts pain upon the beast in order to identify himself, and in doing so challenges the hostility of the Homeric universe. From being nobody to somebody, Odysseus cries defiantly in Polyphemus’ face – a foolish, yet deliberate, case of self-exposure. Following the blinding and escape from the Cyclops, Odysseus brags of his victory : did he have the right to? Cowardice and concealment reject the conventions of a Homeric hero. It is important to realise that a man possessing this intelligence can be condemned for “slipperiness and cheating as much as he may be praised” for impressively quick thinking. However, each proves Odysseus’ ability to change and adapt to situations and seize and exploit moments to his own