Character Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

In order to get away from the cyclops, he offers him "some wine"(Fitzgerald 123). Though it is a good idea to get the cyclops drunk to escape, many men had already died at the hands of the cyclops. Odysseus could have had a better plan before many men died. Later on, dressed as a beggar, Odysseus gets offended by Antinous and starts “making cruel plans in his heart” (Fagles 59-60). Instead of confronting Antinous, Odysseus

Wishing to escape the cyclops’ bondage, Odysseus tries to get out of trouble and assumes that he and his men are safe by lying to the Cyclops. We can depict this through a quote found in chapter 9, “A wind from seaward served him, drove us there. We are survivors, these good men and I.” Being the heartless creature the cyclops is, he still goes on to eat Odysseus’ men, shocking them as they believed they should have gotten better treatment and a gracious greeting from the Cyclops as if they were noble heroes. However, soon Odysseus learns that

[Odysseus] drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down under their rowing benches…(page 373 Lines 47-49).” This shows his intelligence by only sending in three men. However, Odysseus being clever only helps them in only one situation, and by the end of book 12, a majority of his men end up dying. What Odysseus did in one situation should not depend on whether he is a hero, but rather should be based on what the outcome

Odysseus is overpowering and his cleverness allows him to get out of tight situations. This is depicted in his run-in with Polyphemus, the cyclops son of Poseidon. His crew and he find themselves in the giant's cave and Odysseus devises a plan to get out. He tricks Polyphemus into thinking his name is Nobody and gets him drunk so he can jab him in the eye and escape. He then ruins his perfect get away by acting haughty and “shout[ing] out derisive words at Polyphemus”.

Odysseus told Polyphemus his name only to gloat and make fun of the cyclops for being so stupid. Odysseus also listened to the siren song just so he could tell people that he had done so and survived. Later in his journey as he matured he relied on his wits and repressed his irrational emotion. On the island of Phaeacia he displayed his cunning ability and proved he has learned from his experiences. “By god, I’d rather slave on earth for another man…”- Book 11, Line 556 6.

In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer the main character, Odysseus, is an epic hero because he absolutely upholds all of the qualities of an epic hero. Some of the qualities may include courage, nobility, strength, confidence, and determination. Odysseus is always ready for an adventure, he is not scared of anything in his way, and he will stop at nothing to get what and where he wants. His curiosity has taken him on wild journeys, and many issues but he is always able to escape the dangers he encounters. In Book 9 Odysseus and his men came across the Island of the Cyclops, they were in trouble because the Cyclops wanted to eat them.

No non-loving would still care this much, after all Odysseus had gone through. Throughout the epic poem, Odysseus is constantly demonstrating his cleverness, boldness, and lovingness. He mainly shows himself being clever and bold in book 9, when he encounters the cyclops. However, in the last few books, we see how much he loves his family. Heroes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but a true hero is clever; he can always think of a plan when it is needed.

Usually, epic heroes share common character traits such as bravery, smart and strong. In Homer’s Odyssey, it is my belief that Odysseus is heroic mostly because he had to stay strong for his family. For example, he is a loving father and husband. Even though some people may argue say he is a killer , I maintain that he is a hero because he would always find a way to get back home to his family no matter what challenge he had to face.

Odysseus raid in Cicones’ stronghold foreshadows what happens in the Cyclops cave, as Odysseus, “urged them to cut and run, set sail, /but would they listen? Not those mutinous fools”(Homer 9.51-52.) After they don’t leave they are attacked and lose their men and in the end of both of these events it ends with, “we sailed on, glad to escape our death yet sick at heart for the dear companions we had lost”(Homer 9.71-72, 9.629-630.) Even though these two events are heavily connected there is one difference and that is who is saying to go back to the ship. This portrays a clear sign that both of these are connected as Homer only repeats phrases that are connected with each other and with them following the same structure the events in Cicones foreshadow the cyclops’s cave.

When Juliet drinks the vial given to her by Friar Lawrence, she does not know if it will work and just make her fall asleep, or if it has the possibility to make her never wake up again. Her venturesome behavior is clear when she says “What is it be a poison which the Friar subtly hath ministered to have me dead, lest in this marriage he should be dishonoured,”(4.3). Romeo takes a risk when he goes to the apothecary to get the poison that will end his life. This is dangerous, because both him and the apothecary could get in serious trouble for being in possession of the drug. After the apothecary sells Romeo the poison Romeo says “I sell thee poison, thou hast sold me none farewell, buy food, and get thyself in flesh”(5.1).