“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor,” wrote the great philosopher Aristotle. By ranking these two character traits above all others, Aristotle emphasizes their importance. Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, although flawed like all humans, exemplifies courage and honor through everything he does. Faced with continual challenges, Odysseus perseveres through each difficulty with high morals, earning admiration from the majority of people he encounters. Bravery, defined as standing firm in one's beliefs in the face of danger, is a characteristic that comes easily to Odysseus. In the land of the Kyklops, Odysseus confronts a monster who has already devoured
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Treating his men with such dignity constitutes honorable behavior, which is a constant pursuit for Odysseus. When one servant is asked to retrieve an item of Odysseus’, “tears came to the swineherd’s eyes as he reached out for the big bow. He laid it down at the suitors’ feet. Across the room the cowherd sobbed knowing the master’s weapon" (Book: XXI Lines 86-90). These men are moved to tears at the site of one of Odysseus’ possessions, reminded of the man they regard so highly. Only a man with extreme integrity and high moral caliber can instill such loyalty. Much of Odysseus' hate for the suitors stems from their lack of honor: “damnation and black night I see arriving for yourselves: no shelter, no defense for any in this crowd-fools and vipers in the king’s own hall” (Book: XX Lines 411-414). The disrespect that the suitors show Odysseus while he is disguised as a beggar infuriates him and further fuels his anger at them. Not only have they proved ungracious guests by taking over Odysseus' home, but as hosts they have no regard for hospitality and actively treat Odysseus rudely. Odysseus consistently tries to live with honor, treating others with dignity and respect and hoping to be
Treating his men with such dignity constitutes honorable behavior, which is a constant pursuit for Odysseus. When one servant is asked to retrieve an item of Odysseus’, “tears came to the swineherd’s eyes as he reached out for the big bow. He laid it down at the suitors’ feet. Across the room the cowherd sobbed knowing the master’s weapon" (Book: XXI Lines 86-90). These men are moved to tears at the site of one of Odysseus’ possessions, reminded of the man they regard so highly. Only a man with extreme integrity and high moral caliber can instill such loyalty. Much of Odysseus' hate for the suitors stems from their lack of honor: “damnation and black night I see arriving for yourselves: no shelter, no defense for any in this crowd-fools and vipers in the king’s own hall” (Book: XX Lines 411-414). The disrespect that the suitors show Odysseus while he is disguised as a beggar infuriates him and further fuels his anger at them. Not only have they proved ungracious guests by taking over Odysseus' home, but as hosts they have no regard for hospitality and actively treat Odysseus rudely. Odysseus consistently tries to live with honor, treating others with dignity and respect and hoping to be