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Odysseus Character Traits

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Throughout The Odyssey by Homer, retold by Geraldine McCaughrean, the book informs readers of Odysseus' journey after the long 10 years of the Trojan War. After being at war for 10 years, Odysseus and his crew go on a long journey to reach Ithaca. The author lets readers experience Odysseus’ good and bad traits. In The Odyssey, Odysseus showcases determination, patience, and loyalty. Even though Odysseus has these traits, he is also untrustworthy and a poor communicator.
Even though Odysseus has good traits, he is a poor communicator, which causes many setbacks and a long time to reach Ithaca. For example, the author states, “A season lengthened to a year. And only then did Odysseus think again of his three-island kingdom. Life with Circe was …show more content…

For example, after The Trojan War, Odysseus and his crew arrived at The Land of the Lotus-Eaters. The crew all ate fruit that made them delirious and forget who they were. Odysseus being a good leader decided to help the crew. Author Geraldine McCaughrean writes, “Shutting their ears and sealing their ears, Odysseus and his party of fifty men dragged their foolish friends down towards the sea. But Odysseus forbade on lotus fruit to be taken aboard, and the twelve ships were heaved into the surf as empty as they had come” (9-10). This piece of evidence shows that Odysseus is loyal to his crewmates because he could have left his crewmates on the Island of the Lotus-Eaters, but he decided to help them. Also, this shows Odysseus’ patience because, after all, his crewmates did help him for 10 years at war. Additionally, Odysseus and 50 other men had to carry 450 men that didn’t want to be carried and taken away from the island. That must have been infuriating and tiresome. Furthermore, Odysseus is determined to get home because after all the obstacles he faced the #1 thing on his agenda was to arrive home to Ithaca even if it means that he has to come home bony, old, and dreary. “ ‘But, lady! I’m married! My wife and son are waiting in my three-island kingdom of Ithaca! I must set sail today!” (75 McCaughrean). These were the specific words that Odysseus said to Calypso when he was stuck on her island. From the beginning, Odysseus has shown his dedication and determination to get home to his family. Odysseus was on Calypso Island for 7 years with no ship to go home and for those long gruesome years, his main focus was his family. As soon as he got the chance to leave, he did. These good qualities of Odysseus can relate to Greek values because back in antiquity the Greeks valued the Law of Hospitality. That's something that Odysseus shows to his crewmates that the

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