Odysseus has a strong personality trait of curiosity, which can lead him and his crew into dangerous and often deadly situations. Perhaps the darkest example of “curiosity” is shown when Odysseus decides not to commit suicide. This urge comes after his crew creates a storm by opening a bag of winds—a present from Aeolus—and sends them from their position so close to home to Aeolia. Odysseus says of this matter, “’I debated within myself whether to jump overboard and drown or stay among the living and quietly endure’” (10.50-52). A part of him is wondering—is curious—if he will make it home through endurance. Subconsciously or not, he decides to test his luck and stay alive. This is considered dangerous, because when he is dead, he is at rest, but when he is alive, he has
…show more content…
Similarly, the next time Odysseus’ curiosity leads him to do something dangerous is when he is faced with the island of the cunning, sly goddess Circe. He thinks about what should be done, and sends out another search party. Odysseus thought “’…the better course would be to return first to my ship on the beach, give my men a meal, and then send out an exploring party’” (10.153-155). He does this, and the men in the group are turned to pigs by Circe’s drugs. They would have stayed in that state forever if not for the gods’ help. Hermes delivers a flower root that will protect Odysseus from dark magic, and Odysseus scares Circe into swearing not to hurt him and to change his men back. In other words, Odysseus was so inquisitive that he nearly lost half his crew. It would be best to stop with the search parties, for his men’s sake. In conclusion, the danger of too much curiosity is shown in how Odysseus faces the trials that come his way. Though inquisitiveness is a natural part of his personality, he must control it if he wants to
Similarly, the next time Odysseus’ curiosity leads him to do something dangerous is when he is faced with the island of the cunning, sly goddess Circe. He thinks about what should be done, and sends out another search party. Odysseus thought “’…the better course would be to return first to my ship on the beach, give my men a meal, and then send out an exploring party’” (10.153-155). He does this, and the men in the group are turned to pigs by Circe’s drugs. They would have stayed in that state forever if not for the gods’ help. Hermes delivers a flower root that will protect Odysseus from dark magic, and Odysseus scares Circe into swearing not to hurt him and to change his men back. In other words, Odysseus was so inquisitive that he nearly lost half his crew. It would be best to stop with the search parties, for his men’s sake. In conclusion, the danger of too much curiosity is shown in how Odysseus faces the trials that come his way. Though inquisitiveness is a natural part of his personality, he must control it if he wants to