Odysseus (Ulysses in Latin), as described in Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey, was the son of Laertes, husband of Penelope, and father of Telemechus. He was also the King of the Greek Island, Ithaka, and the leader of the Greeks during the Trojan War. After the war ended, Odysseus endured a ten-year "odyssey" in which he tried to get back to the family and country that he loved so deeply. Known as the "master of schemes", Odysseus was able to survive the war and the return to his homeland by using wisdom, cunning, and physical strength to overcome great obstacles. His feats of heroism include the invention of the Trojan horse, which in turn led to the defeat of the Trojans; blinding Cyclops (Polyphemus); and sleighing his beloved Penelope's suitors-those who had attempted to win her heart in the long absence of Odysseus during and after the war. Some critics have said that Odysseus was a hero in the true sense of the word while others have noted that his "heroic acts" were nothing more than selfish acts that allowed him to stay alive at the expense of the lives of others. However, it makes more sense to see Odysseus as a hero because the many themes of The Odyssey include the idea of hospitality to strangers, loyalty to friends and family, and the balance between pride and honor. Homer portrayed Odysseus as an explorer, sufferer, leader and a liar and it is through each experience that Odysseus learns to temper his pride. As he does so, he becomes more empowered to find his way home to the family and countrymen that he feels truly honored by. Odysseus's use of his mental and physical abilities allowed him to survive through all of the dangerous events he encountered and the strong desire to persevere ultimately led him back to his homeland where he reunited with his family and restored peace to his beloved land called Ithaka.
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