Narcissism In The Odyssey

Although book XII focuses on some of Odysseus’s challenges as he sails for his nostos, this section also highlights his selfish behavior as a leader. While Circe, the sea-goddess, urges him to avoid both the seducing Sirens, and the terrifying sea-beasts, Skylla and Charybdis, his personal agenda steers him and his crew into harms way. The god-like protagonist decides on behalf of his crewmembers several life threating decisions that prompt the reader to question his leadership intuition—Odysseus essentially destroys his ship along with his companions because his “mind is full forever of fight/ and battle work” (XII, 116-7). Here, Circe criticizes Odysseus for his narcissistic behavior because he still wishes to fight his way through Skylla, an immortal being, after she lists out the dangers: “Will you not give way even to the immortals…/ there is no fighting against her…/ [therefore,] it is best to run away” (XII, 117; 119-120). However, one could argue …show more content…
The fact that he did not react to their screeches proves that he has selfish characteristics unlike a reliable hero, who would help his “friends” when in danger. Although one could argue that he did not attempt to rescue them because they were already “below” the water, “they were screaming and reaching out their hands to [him] in this horrid encounter” (XII, 256-7). In other words, Odysseus chooses not to rescue his comrades because he does not care about other people who risk their lives for him; he disregards Circe’s advice and goes forth with his own agenda; he lies about the true dangers of his own expedition; he also watches his own “friends” drown while having prior knowledge this would happen, but he continues