Throughout the novel, Odysseus faced a multitude of obstacles he had to overcome. In this rich and captive story, Odysseus was separated from his family and acquaintances, and he resided on an island under the control of Calypso, a charming yet dominating goddess. Over the course of many years, Calypso kept him captive, and the fact of living a great distance away from his family made Odysseus nostalgic. Previously, Odysseus had tried to sail back home from Troy after he had fought against the Trojans. However, Odysseus underwent many situations where he had to prove he could survive through all the complications throughout his journey back to Ithaca. His greatest test, however, was when Poseidon, one of Odysseus’s greatest foes, imposed
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Throughout the book, there were many immortals and creatures who hoped to deviate Odysseus from his crucial mission, such as Polyphemus, a giant Cyclops. However, Poseidon was the main opponent of Odysseus, and this was primarily due to Odysseus blinding Poseidon’s son, Polyphemus. After Odysseus and his crew struck Polyphemus’s eye, they tried to escape. Although they were successful in doing so, Polyphemus was outraged, and he wanted his father, Poseidon, to avenge him. “‘Let him lose all companions, and return under strange sail to bitter days at home.’” (Homer, 161) Shortly after Odysseus and his crew had blinded Polyphemus, Polyphemus apprised Poseidon of what happened, and he told Poseidon Odysseus should lose all his crewmates. This way, Polyphemus would have revenge on primarily Odysseus. Shortly thereafter, Poseidon lent strength to his son, and Polyphemus was able to throw a larger stone upon Odysseus’s ship. “‘In these words he prayed, and the god heard him. Now he laid hands upon a bigger stone and wheeled around, titanic for the cast, to let it fly in the black-prowed vessel’s track.’” (Homer, 161) However, Odysseus did not give up hope, and he continued to take care of his crewmates. “…I roused the men, gave orders to man the ships, cast off the mooring lines; and filing in to sit beside the rowlocks oarsmen in line... So we moved out, sad
Throughout the book, there were many immortals and creatures who hoped to deviate Odysseus from his crucial mission, such as Polyphemus, a giant Cyclops. However, Poseidon was the main opponent of Odysseus, and this was primarily due to Odysseus blinding Poseidon’s son, Polyphemus. After Odysseus and his crew struck Polyphemus’s eye, they tried to escape. Although they were successful in doing so, Polyphemus was outraged, and he wanted his father, Poseidon, to avenge him. “‘Let him lose all companions, and return under strange sail to bitter days at home.’” (Homer, 161) Shortly after Odysseus and his crew had blinded Polyphemus, Polyphemus apprised Poseidon of what happened, and he told Poseidon Odysseus should lose all his crewmates. This way, Polyphemus would have revenge on primarily Odysseus. Shortly thereafter, Poseidon lent strength to his son, and Polyphemus was able to throw a larger stone upon Odysseus’s ship. “‘In these words he prayed, and the god heard him. Now he laid hands upon a bigger stone and wheeled around, titanic for the cast, to let it fly in the black-prowed vessel’s track.’” (Homer, 161) However, Odysseus did not give up hope, and he continued to take care of his crewmates. “…I roused the men, gave orders to man the ships, cast off the mooring lines; and filing in to sit beside the rowlocks oarsmen in line... So we moved out, sad