Who is Odysseus, the protagonist of the Homeric Epic, The Odyssey? From the Illiad, Odysseus is known as the brave and cunning soldier who helped topple the Trojan empire. Yet, in the Odyssey, Odysseus is shown to be a more vulnerable, and thus, more reliable character. Through two specific relationships with women in The Odyssey, light is shed on the character of the hero. It is the Queen of Aeaea, Circe who reveals Odysseus' sexual lure and the Princess of Scheria, Nansicaa who bares his more vulnerable side.
             Circe's relationship with Odysseus has to be one of the more erotically charged events in The Odyssey, second to that of Calypso and Odysseus. After failing to transform him into a swine, courageous Odysseus pulls out his sword and thrusts it at the enchantress. Her instinct is to recoil, but she does not do so in fear. Rather, she grows in awe of the sole man to escape her magic. Brimming with the erotic excitement as she discovers it is Odysseus who evaded her potion, she seduces the hero offering her proposal, he has enough sense of mind to remember the advice of Hermes and makes Circe promise to voice the binding oath that ensures that he will not encounter another Circean enchantment.
             Odysseus is "a man's man." He takes full advantage of his beautiful hostess's offer without a second thought. After all, he was just following the advice of Hermes, not to refuse her bed. Through this intimate relationship, Odysseus is able to convince Circe to return his men to human form, which was his ultimate objective. In addition, Circe aids Odysseus' journey home by suggesting that by visiting Tiresias, seer of Thebes, Odysseus will receive guidance on how to return to Ithica. Wise and Intelligent as he is, Odysseus takes the advise out of respect for his hostess and for the sake of his crew.
             Nausicaa, Princess of the Phaeacian Island of Scheria, encounters Odysseus in a more subd...