In a world where the fiercest are acknowledged and the strongest are praised as warriors, Odysseus learned to sit outside the spotlight and reap the benefits. Odysseus was the king of Ithaca, an island in southern Greece. He was a clever and courageous fighter who was a hero after the success of the Trojan horse he came up with during the battle of Troy. On his way back to Ithaca, Odysseus encountered many challenges, including when he had to outsmart Cyclops Polyphemus and survive Poseidon’s attack. These challenges killed all of his crew and delayed Odysseus’ return to Ithaca. Odysseus then faced another challenge when he fought for his family and power in Ithaca against the suitors. In The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles, Odysseus
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Odysseus’ arrogance at the beginning of the book caused him and his crew trouble when attacking Polyphemus. Odysseus and his crew were on their journey back from Troy when they encountered Poseidon’s son, the cyclops, Polyphemus. Odysseus and his crew hid behind barrels in the Cyclops’ cave to try to attack the Cyclops when he was sleeping. When Odysseus attacked the cyclops he, “called back with another burst of anger, ‘Cyclops—/if any man on the face of the earth should ask you/ who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus,/ raider of cities, he gouged your eye,/ Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca!’” (Homer 227). Odysseus’ declaration is a sign of his arrogance. Coming off of the success of the Trojan Horse, Odysseus was high on confidence, declaring himself as the raider of cities. He was so egotistical and prideful that he needed everyone to know how fierce and strong he was. Odysseus demanded Polyphemus to feel shame whenever anyone asked who blinded …show more content…
Odysseus was planning an ambush because he knew he would be outnumbered if he did not surprise the suitors. He laid out a plan for Telemachus to hide the weapons as if a memorial to Odysseus so that no one would suspect he was home, and so that only himself and his militia had access to them. In addition, he made sure to stay disguised as a beggar in order to remain unnoticed and not threaten the suitors. He no longer needed the recognition of killing his foes and consequently, his plan was a success and he kept his crew safe. Ultimately, despite his arrogance in the beginning of the book, Odysseus learned to be humble and became a stronger leader. During his journey Odysseus faced perilous challenges, though his big ego made them worse. He wanted recognition for stabbing cyclops Polyphemus and blinding him, so he let his identity be known. This led to Polyphemus’ father, Poseidon, killing all of Odysseus’ crew. Consequently, he returned to Ithaca late, though his plan to kill the suitors succeeded because he learnt that his ego led to his downfall, showing that he learned that when he is humble and works with his crew, his plans succeed. The Odyssey was a book written during the time of gods ruling over all, and is meant to portray the ruthless journey Odysseus endured. It shows that while the gods have the power in the world, with humility,
Odysseus’ arrogance at the beginning of the book caused him and his crew trouble when attacking Polyphemus. Odysseus and his crew were on their journey back from Troy when they encountered Poseidon’s son, the cyclops, Polyphemus. Odysseus and his crew hid behind barrels in the Cyclops’ cave to try to attack the Cyclops when he was sleeping. When Odysseus attacked the cyclops he, “called back with another burst of anger, ‘Cyclops—/if any man on the face of the earth should ask you/ who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus,/ raider of cities, he gouged your eye,/ Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca!’” (Homer 227). Odysseus’ declaration is a sign of his arrogance. Coming off of the success of the Trojan Horse, Odysseus was high on confidence, declaring himself as the raider of cities. He was so egotistical and prideful that he needed everyone to know how fierce and strong he was. Odysseus demanded Polyphemus to feel shame whenever anyone asked who blinded …show more content…
Odysseus was planning an ambush because he knew he would be outnumbered if he did not surprise the suitors. He laid out a plan for Telemachus to hide the weapons as if a memorial to Odysseus so that no one would suspect he was home, and so that only himself and his militia had access to them. In addition, he made sure to stay disguised as a beggar in order to remain unnoticed and not threaten the suitors. He no longer needed the recognition of killing his foes and consequently, his plan was a success and he kept his crew safe. Ultimately, despite his arrogance in the beginning of the book, Odysseus learned to be humble and became a stronger leader. During his journey Odysseus faced perilous challenges, though his big ego made them worse. He wanted recognition for stabbing cyclops Polyphemus and blinding him, so he let his identity be known. This led to Polyphemus’ father, Poseidon, killing all of Odysseus’ crew. Consequently, he returned to Ithaca late, though his plan to kill the suitors succeeded because he learnt that his ego led to his downfall, showing that he learned that when he is humble and works with his crew, his plans succeed. The Odyssey was a book written during the time of gods ruling over all, and is meant to portray the ruthless journey Odysseus endured. It shows that while the gods have the power in the world, with humility,