Odysseus
Odysseus is a heroic man, a godlike human being, gifted with great courage and strength. He receives commemoration for his bold adventures and favor by the gods. Conversely, Odysseus the man is showered with faults similar to any individual. Throughout The Odyssey readers gain knowledge of Odysseus the man and become aware of the rash decisions and actions he unsympathetically takes. Zeus speaks very highly of Odysseus, "He is almost one of us. Wise beyond mortal men, ready beyond all to sacrifice to the lords of the broad heavens (12)." Athena also takes a certain liking to Odysseus because of his intelligence. After all, she raises Odysseus' situation to the gods while Poseidon is away, "What about that clever Odysseus? I am anxious about him, poor fellow, kept from his friends all this while, in trouble and sorrow, in that island covered with trees, and nothing but the waves all round it, in the very middle of the sea (12)." Although Athena leads readers to believe Odysseus to be above human mistakes, throughout The Odyssey they come to see certain human weakness
He desires for fame and glory, therefore, telling the cyclops his name in order to attain these aspirations. As always, actions speak louder than words. Odysseus' revenge on those that have become unfaithful to him throughout the lengthy period of time for which he was absent is horrible and sordid. " Readers again gain information on Odysseus the man as he visits Polyphemos, the cyclops. However, Odysseus' actions are reckless and impulsive. Instead, he takes revenge by killing each suitor who has tormented his house and family throughout his lack of presence. Although Odysseus' displeasure at captivation by Calypso's hand is made plain, Odysseus is not purely in discontent. He also kills women servants violently and repulsively for their lack of reverence. Calypso makes it known that Odysseus and she have not been unhappy at all times, "A hard-hearted lot you are, you gods, and as jealous as jealous can be! Why are you shocked if a goddess sleeps with a man and makes no secret of it, when she happens to find one she could love as a husband (64)?" This insight into Odysseus' captivation on Calypso's island sheds a light on Odysseus the man. Laertes has not aged well because of the absence and lack of knowledge about his son's whereabouts. Odysseus demonstrates human errors by putting the lives of his men in danger, and also through his inability to remain anonymous for the act of blinding Polyphemos. Odysseus' sense of adventure and a desire for knowledge provoke him to stay in the cyclops' cave for a further amount of time than he should. However, when Odysseus ought to have used caution, he applied distrust. Odysseus, though, does not trust his father at first and maintains the beggar disguise to determine if his father has been loyal or not.
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