Odysseus, The Hero :: essays research papers

An individuals characteristics are the spot to their behavior. Homers The Odyssey takes place about 700BC in the Mediterranean, near Greece. The epos tells of a man who left his home twenty years foregoing to fight in the Trojan War. His mission now is to make his centering home to Ithaca. Odysseus shows good and bad traits passim the epic that influence his direction home . (65 words)The courage and wisdom of Odysseus help him survive through the entirely epic. For example, Odysseus kills the Cyclops while the hulk is asleep, even though the monster have two custody minutes before (P.110). Odysseus has courage to stand up for his beliefs and never lets the opinion of others keep him from doing what is right. Some think Odysseus shows his courage throughout the epic because he is regal and does not want to leave each job unfinished. Furthermore, Odysseus by plugs the sailors ears with wax when going through the Sirens, whose sweet telling lures sailors to there doom (p. 141). Odysseus often hesitates before acting, because he uses reason to evaluate the situation, which saves him and his men many times. Odysseus knows that there is no progress without the wisdom to endure it up. Using courage and wisdom throughout life allows a soulfulness to see greatness in life.As great as he was, Odysseus still had some weaknesses, most importantly that of his pride and sensualness, that prolongs his voyage rear end to Ithaca. This is clearly evident in the episode on the Cyclopes Island when Odysseus and his men are safely away from the island when Odysseus brags about his exploits making Polythemus hurl giant boulders almost sinking the ship (P. 114). This incident hurt Odysseus more than on the nose losing a few men, because Poseidon makes his travel home very long and arduous. This proud characteristic shows Odysseus has a lack of respect for others and that he is selfish. Furthermore, Odysseus stays with Circe for matchless year before his men remind him of home (p.