Character Analysis of Odysseus
Character Analysis of Odysseus
The Odyssey, written by Homer, tells the story of Odysseus and how he faced misfortune in his attempts to return home after the Trojan War. Odysseus is not famous for his great strength or bravery, but for his ability to deceive and trick. From his misfortunes he learned to be a better man and became able to regain his place in his homeland of Ithaca.
During his journeys Odysseus often makes the mistake of bragging to his enemies but learns that doing this gives his enemies a chance to seek revenge against him. After leaving Troy, Odysseus attacks the land of the Cicones. Instead of leaving after his victory he stays to celebrate until a force is gathered against him. He must then flee after many of his men are killed. Afterwards Odysseus and his crew land on the island of the Cyclops. They are attacked and some of the men are eaten by Polyphemus. After getting the giant Cyclops drunk, Odysseus and his men blind the monster with a spear in his one eye. They could have made an escape without misfortune but Odysseus mocked Polyphemus and shouted his real name, when before Odysseus had told Polyphemus that his name was "Nobody". With this new information Polyphemus prays to his father, Poseidon, to have Odysseus and his men punished. Because Poseidon is so angered, Odysseus must wander throughout the sea while his men slowly die one by one. Odysseus learns that bragging can have ill effects and uses this knowledge on the island of Phaecians and Ithaca when he does not openly brag about his deeds and his journeys.
Odysseus also learns to pay close attention to the instructions of the gods, or he might have to face a terrible price. When Odysseus and his crew landed at the island of Aeolus, they were given a parting gift that would have helped if they had paid attention to the warnings of Aeolus. He gave Odysseus a bag full of the bad winds that would keep them from their home of Ithaca. Odysseus and his crew were in sight of the homeland they had waited so long to see, when a bunch of rebel crewmen opened the bag, because they thought it contained treasures, creating a great wind that blew them back to Aeolus. When Aeolus saw this he believed that Odysseus was cursed and banished him from the...