Question

In The Odyssey, Odysseus proves himself to be a brave, cunning, and curious

leader. Using textual evidence from at least two of the excerpts from The Odyssey

that you read in the lessons, compose an essay that forms an argument as to

whether Odysseus' character traits are helpful or harmful to his goal of returning to

his home in Ithaca.

Answer 1

Answer: “But if you wish to listen, let the men tie you to the lugger, hand and foot, back to the mast, lashed to the mast, so you may hear those harpies’ thrilling voices.” (book 12, 15-18) Odysseus gave into temptation and put his men in danger just to hear a nice song. When his crew was tempted to open the bag of winds . “but those who ate this honeyed plant , the Lotus, never cared to report or return. they longed to stay on forever.” (IX. 100-104).

Odysseus showed courage when he blinded Polyphemus, the Cyclops- and showed cunning because he was able to trick him and get him drunk, then said his name was “ Nobodhy”.

Answer 2

Most of us who have read the Odyssey often idealize or consider Odysseus as the hero of this narrative. However, on multiple occasions, he makes decisions that are only beneficial to him; a prime example being when he and his men find themselves on Polyphemus' island and his main objective is to get home, the writer implies that having his men by his side when he returns does not worries him at all as he makes his way back home at the expense of his own men.

Although he could be consider a hero many of his actions speak for themselves as he often makes decisions that affect others and not him but that at the same time would benefit only him.

Hope this helps!