Odysseus Character Analysis
The Odyssey is an epic poem, which revolves around Odysseus and his journey home from the war at Troy. Throughout his travels he is met with many obstacles and adventures. There are times when he thinks he will never make it home. But through perseverance, faith, maturation and heroics, he manages to survive and reach his homeland of Ithaca as a changed man. In The Odyssey, Odysseus, the main character must journey from Troy to his homeland of Ithaca. Throughout this journey he learns many lessons, faces obstacles testing his physical and mental strength and grows from an arrogant, self-centered hero into a humble, respectful survivor. With the help of the Gods he is finally able to return to Ithaca as an honorable man. In Book VI of the Odyssey, Odysseus wakes on the shore of Phaecia. The Goddess Athena has sent the beautiful Nausicaa a dream instructing her to wash clothes in preparation for an upcoming marriage. Athena makes Nausicaa brave and Odysseus handsome bringing them together in order to assist Odysseus to the house of the king. In this particular book the Gods assist Odysseus and he manages to come closer to getting home. Athena helps him out over and over again in Book VI. Everything seems to be done t
As his Odyssey seems almost over and the men are close to Ithaca, a sack of wind given to Odysseus by Aeolus is unleashed. Odysseus 's vice here seems to be his manhood as he ends up sleeping with Kirke for one year until she promises to help him get home. Although this pride does help him throughout his journey, he uses it here as a vice to show others his greatness. His arrogance at times works against him and his manhood almost destroys his chances of seeing his homeland but through strength and the wisdom of experience, he manages to make it. The gods may not be able to stop fate but they help Odysseus learn to use their guidance to his advantage for his survival. By revealing his name he sets himself up for the angry God Poseidon. His plan is both brave and ingenious. "I shall not see on earth a place more dear" (198). Kirke tells Odysseus the path to take home and so he is off for another adventure, surviving with the mere thought of eventually returning to his distant home. "I whirled then, made for the ship" (246). "Where shall a man find sweetness to surpass his own home and his parents (198)? Odysseus seems able to survive by using all his energy to find his way home. After being insulted by one of the Phaeacians, ""The reason being, as I see it, friend, you never learned a sport, and have no skill in any of the contests of fighting men" (185). "Anyone else for an edge for competition try me now" (186) This proves Odysseus has a problem with his pride. "O Kirke now you must keep your promise, it is time. This blows their ship all the way back to where they started.
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