Throughout Robert Fagles translation of The Odyssey originally told by Homer, Odysseus is characterized as a great and is looked up to by many. Odysseus was described as a mortal god, “at every twist of strategy he excelled [them] all” (book 3; 134-136). His skills and talents immensely exceeded those of his peers. Odysseus was one of the greatest men in history, “not a man in the crowd [could] match Odysseus––what a man he was” (book 21, 107-109). He was well known throughout Greece and neighbouring nations. Even Odysseus’ enemies admitted to his superiority, “it [broke] [their] hearts [was] the fact [they] fell so short of great Odysseus’ strength... A disgrace to ring in the ears of men to come’” (book 21, 283-284). Odysseus’ greatness inspired
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His “lion-hearted” personality made him a natural leader. He proved he was a reliable leader on his journey to his homeland. Odysseus’ comrades consumed the lotus that made them lose interest in returning home, “but [he] brought them back to the hollow ships, and streaming tears--[he] forced them, hauled them under the rowing benches” (book 9; 110-111). This was not the only time Odysseus had to control his comrades. When he and his comrades were hiding in the wooden horse Helen tried to persuade the men to reveal themselves “but Odysseus damped [their] ardor, reined [them] back… He was hot to salute [Helen] now, but Odysseus clamped his great hands on the man’s mouth and shut it, brutally––yes, he saved [them] all” (book 4, 318-320). It was not only on his long journey home where he showed leadership skills, he also led the final battle against the suitors who had taken over his palace. Odysseus led former suitors and his son Telemachus into battle. Once Odysseus was convinced they were loyal he explained the plan, “‘Let’s slip back in––singly, not in a pack. I’ll go first. You’re next. Here’s our signal. When all the rest in there, our lordly friends, are dead against my having the bow and quiver, good Eumaeus, carry the weapon down the hall and put it in my hands’” (book 21, 257-262). Homer made it clear that Odysseus has been and …show more content…
He is repeatedly referred to as ‘cunning Odysseus’ or ‘the crafty man’. Odysseus uses his cunning skills when Polyphemus the cyclops questions him about the location of his ship, but Odysseus “shot back in [his] crafty way, ‘My ship? Poseidon god of the earthquake smashed my ship, he drove it against the rocks at your island’s far cape…”’ (book 9, 318-320). He didn’t want to give away information that could risk his ability to return home. Odysseus doesn’t only speak lies, he also often wears disguises to conceal his true identity. Odysseus was able to meander around Troy unrecognized, “he slipped into the enemy’s city, roamed its streets––all disguised, a totally different man, a beggar, hardly the figure he cut among Achaea’s ships” (book 4; 277-279). Odysseus is not done using his guile when he finally returns home. Odysseus tried to convince the suitors to give up the bow by acting as the beggar whom he was disguised and pleaded, “for the moment, give me the polished bow now, won’t you? So, to amuse you all, I can try my hand, my strength…” (book 21, 314-316). Unfortunately, his trickery doesn’t always work, the suitors still refused to give up the bow and give Odysseus
His “lion-hearted” personality made him a natural leader. He proved he was a reliable leader on his journey to his homeland. Odysseus’ comrades consumed the lotus that made them lose interest in returning home, “but [he] brought them back to the hollow ships, and streaming tears--[he] forced them, hauled them under the rowing benches” (book 9; 110-111). This was not the only time Odysseus had to control his comrades. When he and his comrades were hiding in the wooden horse Helen tried to persuade the men to reveal themselves “but Odysseus damped [their] ardor, reined [them] back… He was hot to salute [Helen] now, but Odysseus clamped his great hands on the man’s mouth and shut it, brutally––yes, he saved [them] all” (book 4, 318-320). It was not only on his long journey home where he showed leadership skills, he also led the final battle against the suitors who had taken over his palace. Odysseus led former suitors and his son Telemachus into battle. Once Odysseus was convinced they were loyal he explained the plan, “‘Let’s slip back in––singly, not in a pack. I’ll go first. You’re next. Here’s our signal. When all the rest in there, our lordly friends, are dead against my having the bow and quiver, good Eumaeus, carry the weapon down the hall and put it in my hands’” (book 21, 257-262). Homer made it clear that Odysseus has been and …show more content…
He is repeatedly referred to as ‘cunning Odysseus’ or ‘the crafty man’. Odysseus uses his cunning skills when Polyphemus the cyclops questions him about the location of his ship, but Odysseus “shot back in [his] crafty way, ‘My ship? Poseidon god of the earthquake smashed my ship, he drove it against the rocks at your island’s far cape…”’ (book 9, 318-320). He didn’t want to give away information that could risk his ability to return home. Odysseus doesn’t only speak lies, he also often wears disguises to conceal his true identity. Odysseus was able to meander around Troy unrecognized, “he slipped into the enemy’s city, roamed its streets––all disguised, a totally different man, a beggar, hardly the figure he cut among Achaea’s ships” (book 4; 277-279). Odysseus is not done using his guile when he finally returns home. Odysseus tried to convince the suitors to give up the bow by acting as the beggar whom he was disguised and pleaded, “for the moment, give me the polished bow now, won’t you? So, to amuse you all, I can try my hand, my strength…” (book 21, 314-316). Unfortunately, his trickery doesn’t always work, the suitors still refused to give up the bow and give Odysseus