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Hubris, another word for excessive self pride, is frequently a struggle that is faced by Odysseus when consulting the gods or any other threatening forces. Eventually Odysseus is able to overcome his hubris when he realizes that the gods are ultimately on his side after all. At this point he comes to the realization that the gods control his life; “It is no hard thing for the gods of heaven to glorify a man or bring him low" (Book XVI, 250-251). As one can see, Odysseus experiences a mental change in which he sees the world in different way than he did previously. In addition, his true transformation takes place when he realizes the gods place in society as opposed to his own; ““My life runs on then as the gods have spun it.” (XI, 155). Here, he truly realizes that there is a much higher power than him and that is the gods. Adding to that, he begins to discover that not only do the gods control his life, but they also are there to help him and guide him in the right direction. With this discovery, he starts to obtain more confidence in the gods and trusts them with his fate. Therefore, when he is faced with fighting the suitors, he knows that the gods will be there to protect him. At this point, his newfound trust in the gods results in him diminishing his hubris and following the guidance from the gods. With all that has happened with Odysseus realizing his true place in society, he begs the gods to take mercy on him for his past mistakes; “O hear me, lord of stream; how sorely I depend upon your mercy! Derelict as I am as the sea’s anger. Is he not sacred, even to the God’s, the wandering man who comes, as I have come, in weariness before your knees, your waters? Here is your servant; lord, have mercy on me.” (V, 467-473). Not only does Odysseus prove that he rids himself of hubris, but he also displays the transformation he
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From sacrificing six of his own men to surrendering his self pride to the gods, Odysseus accepts the noble title and proves himself deserving of being a hero. He took on a journey in which he grew into himself and rid himself of the one thing that held him back all along; his hubris. At the end of the journey, Odysseus went from being a selfish, cocky leader to being a selfless, modest
From sacrificing six of his own men to surrendering his self pride to the gods, Odysseus accepts the noble title and proves himself deserving of being a hero. He took on a journey in which he grew into himself and rid himself of the one thing that held him back all along; his hubris. At the end of the journey, Odysseus went from being a selfish, cocky leader to being a selfless, modest