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The Flaw Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

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Odysseus is perceived as the most cunning of men due to the many tales about him in the Trojan wars. This image of cunning continues to show at times during his early challenges; in these challenges Odysseus gradually proceeds to display his shortcomings. Once a trial becomes personal towards him, he neglects his cunning and becomes a spineless revenge seeker.
It is clear that while dealing with the Cyclops Odysseus holds his cunning nature intact as well as beginning to shed light on his tragic flaw. While his men were being caged by the Cyclops, Odysseus re-introduces his cunning nature with the strategic plan he devised in order to free his men. His plan on taking a “ beam / and spin[ing] it in the Cyclops’ eye… [once] sleep [has over come] …show more content…

During Odysseus encounter with Circe, the reader can catch him using his cunning nature towards her. When she presented him “food and drink” his first reaction was to set his “companions free” so that he can see his “eager companions” for himself (10.384-5,387). This scenario is an obvious demonstration of how Odysseus gently asked her to free his companions and cunningly portrayed them as dear to his heart. Undoubtedly he convinces Circe to turn the pigs “into [his] men” once again (10.395). Despite the fact that he can act upon his many great traits Odysseus chooses to act out of emotion.When he initially confronts the suitors with his actual identity, it is one of the first moment Homer has presented Odysseus to be angry. Homer describes Odysseus’ menis through his own words. Usually, Odysseus addresses people in general with respect, but here he addresses them as “dogs” (22.35). He goes farther mentioning how they “despoiled [his] household” and took his “serving women” to their bed (22.36-7). On top of that they “sought to win [his] wife” before he had even died (22.38). What made Odysseus more apoplectic is the fact that the suitors performed these misdemeanors before even trying to figure out whether he was still trying to reach his home. Instead of Odysseus using his intellect and cunning, he tells the suitors that they're “terms

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