Similarly, Odysseus doesn’t communicate any of the information given to him by Circe. Odysseus is given two choices by Circe for the first part of the journey, sail close two different rocks, Scylla or Charybdis. While it is possible for the crew to avoid misfortunes by sailing near Charybdis, avoid when she sucks down the black water, Odysseus chooses to sail near Scylla where there is no avoiding the deaths of at least six crew members (12. 99-111). Additionally, Odysseus doesn’t fully take the advice of Circe and uses weaponry, even though Circe warns him not to arm himself no matter the circumstances (12. 234-235). Odysseus’ inability to fully follow directions proves his large ego, and belief that he can do no wrong.
In the novel “The Odyssey” Homer displays the main character Odysseus with god like qualities which results in him judging others through tone and actions. When the main character Odysseus came from his confrontation with the goddess Circe his group of men are happy and grateful to see him. His men are gathered around him as if they are the sheep and he is the Shepard that guides them through every step of the way. Odysseus is a well respected man who is admired by his men and is like a higher power to due his god like qualities . While odyssey’s crew is stranded without his leadership and advice, they are unsure where to go due to lack of knowledge and no mentor to lead them.
Usually, epic heroes share common character traits such as braveness, courage, and leadership. In Homer’s Odyssey, it is my belief that Odysseus is a hero because he demonstrated leadership qualities by leading his group to fight the suitors by being disguised as a beggar so that nobody would suspect him as being Odysseus. For example he fought the suitors, the three headed monsters, and a giant.
In Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus of Ithaca is the hero. A hero is someone who is loyal to their country, family, and gods. The Odyssey is a grand and very detailed adventure. The main character, Odysseus, is a victim of an “epic journey” while trying to get back home after 20 years. Have you ever wondered what makes a hero?
He also shows that he cares for his crew very much, like any good leader should. On Kirke’s Island, he risks his life to rescue his crew. When some members of Odysseus’s crew go to explore the island, Kirke drugs them and turns them to pigs. Though he knows there is little hope of him returning when Eurylokhos tells him, “you, even you, cannot return, I know it,” (10.293) Odysseus seeks out Kirke’s palace to attempt to save the men, saying that he “see[s] nothing for it but to go” (10.301). Earlier, when some of the crew eat the lotus flowers, Odysseus again shows his care for the crew when, rather than leaving them there, Odysseus drags them onto the boat and forces them to come, knowing that they truly want to see their families and homeland.
When Telemachus encounters Menelaus, readers learn more about the heroic status of Odysseus through a set of epic conventions. Menelaus and Telemachus’ exchange in particular gives insight on the epic conventions that are used to praise Odysseus for his heroism. After listening to Telemachus troubles and pleas for help, Menelaus begins his speech with praise for Odysseus through an epithet, calling him a “great captain” (359). By saying this Menelaus shows respect for Odysseus’ leadership and skill. Menelaus continues with an epic simile, which doesn’t contribute much to the plot, but can reveals more about Odysseus’ heroic status.
In The Odyssey there are many characters who could be defined as a hero. Odysseus is not one of these characters due to his loose morals leading him to be disloyal and have impulsive behavior. Throughout Odysseus’ journey home, he exhibits his loose morals as he is disloyal. Odysseus and Calypso make love one last time after receiving the news from Mt. Olympus that it is time for Odysseus to leave. Homer says, “And now, withdrawing into the cavern’s deep recesses, long in each other’s arms they lost themselves in love” (Homer 5.250-251).
A hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. Anyone who puts themselves before others not for recognition or an award, but because it is the right thing to do, is a true hero. In "The Odyssey," written by Homer is an epic poem about a man named Odysseus and his crewmates competing against the power of the gods to return to their homeland, Ithaca. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus.
Douglas MacArthur once said “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others,” His saying points out that in order to be a true leader, they shall be confident and independent as well as courageous through difficult decisions and open-minded. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus shows all of these traits during his journey returning home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Odysseus as a human makes foolish mistakes, many important choices are made during his trip to Ithaca, he truly is longing for his return home and does whatever it takes whether it is good or bad. Odysseus shows elements of good leadership throughout book IX. In the beginning,
For example, for Odysseus and his men to have a chance for survival, Odysseus knows he has to make decisions. Even though Odysseus has to make a decision from two bad choices like, drowning or starving to death and to either going by Scylla or Charybdis, shows a great quality about Odysseus. Although Odysseus and his men were caught between “ a rock and a hard place” by Scylla the monster or Charybdis the whirlpool, Odysseus accomplished his goal without doing any permanent damage to either himself or his men. In the story Scylla and Charybdis, it states, “ Scylla to port and our starboard beam Charybdis, dire gorge of the salt sea tide”(4). By Odysseus making a decision even if it was tough, he managed to not get caught in the moment and make the decision.
In Greek mythology there are over a thousand stories about heroes and their adventures against nature and mystical and dangerous creatures. But there are always a few traits in the heroes that are repeated in all of these stories. And the Odyssey is not different. Through out the Odyssey the main character, Odysseus, shows a number of heroic qualities. Some of those qualities he shows is his kindness for his men, and bravery when facing all of the hardships in the Odyssey.
Odysseus faces a Cyclops, named Polyphemus, in the Odyssey. Polyphemus is a giant with one eye, has no manners, and eats people when he gets cross. Odysseus is the most heroic in the poem against this beast. Odysseus had to be clever and cunning to get himself and his men out of Polyphemus's cave alive. This act of heroism and leadership shows that Odysseus was the very heroic while fighting the Cyclops.
In the epic story the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is returning from the Trojan war, and on his way home he finds many obstacles ahead of him. Odysseus is the ruler of Ithaca and he is trying to return home to his land. Many creatures try and stop him from achieving his goal of returning home, but he and his crew have to push through and get home. Odysseus portrays bravery and courage leading his crew through these tough challenges. Odysseus heroically leads his crew and himself through dangerous obstacles, but also foolishly endangers them during the journey home.
In order to be defined as a leader, one must be loyal, decisive and able to take the initiative. According to this definition, Odysseus does not fit the profile of a leader. For example, he is loyal to neither his wife nor crew. When Odysseus visited Circe, he disregarded his marriage to Penelope. By engaging in intercourse, he violated the trust of his wife while she remained loyal, despite the urges from the suitors.
The Odyssey is an epic told by Homer. The Odyssey takes the reader through an adventure with the protagonist, Odysseus, in his journey to get home to his wife. Odysseus faces challenges with the Greek gods as he journeys home. A good leader is defined as someone whom successfully leads a group to an agreed goal. Odysseus was not successful in directing his men to success, instead he lead his men to death.
