Odysseus: A Great Leader In Homer's Odyssey
A great leader is one that should be cherished by all. Odysseus had every right to lead the men that followed him into battle. When the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, lead his men into Troy, they only followed his footsteps because they respected him, trusted his actions, and believed he had their best interests in mind. After conquering the empire of Troy, Odysseus was enforced with the task of bringing his men safely home to their lovely country Ithaca, a task only accomplishable by the greatest of leaders. Several hardships were thrown onto the path leading back home. Fate set Odysseus and his men's ship on course to a harsh island home to one of the most gruelling creatures to set foot in Odysseus’s path. This obstacle along with many more test
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The men, while waiting for the return of the cyclops, “lit a fire, burnt an offering, and took some cheese to eat” (899). Simultaneous to the beast’s return, all mortals rushed to the wall to study the cyclops but not get caught. As the cyclops, named Polyphemus, was preparing his supper, he noticed the presence of the crew. He snatched up two of the men and tore them to pieces. Odysseus had to quickly think of a plan to escape from the cave being it his job as the one in command of the journey. The Odysseus using his wits and sharp memory, manufactured a plan to forsake the wretched island. The King and his men gathered up all the wine they had and offered the drink to the cyclops as a gift. After cursing a drunk sleep upon the monster, the muscular warriors drove a burning stake into its one precious eye blinding it for eternity. Odysseus, remembering how polyphemus let his sheep out of the cave to graze on the island grass daily, told his men to tie themselves to the bottom of the animals in order to escape. This would allow them to departure even as the cyclops felt each sheep as it went out the outer cavity of the cave. The excellent leader got his men out safely and the men were back on the horrendous trail back home. Though few were deceased, the greater well being of the crew was kept in mind like any good leader would
The men, while waiting for the return of the cyclops, “lit a fire, burnt an offering, and took some cheese to eat” (899). Simultaneous to the beast’s return, all mortals rushed to the wall to study the cyclops but not get caught. As the cyclops, named Polyphemus, was preparing his supper, he noticed the presence of the crew. He snatched up two of the men and tore them to pieces. Odysseus had to quickly think of a plan to escape from the cave being it his job as the one in command of the journey. The Odysseus using his wits and sharp memory, manufactured a plan to forsake the wretched island. The King and his men gathered up all the wine they had and offered the drink to the cyclops as a gift. After cursing a drunk sleep upon the monster, the muscular warriors drove a burning stake into its one precious eye blinding it for eternity. Odysseus, remembering how polyphemus let his sheep out of the cave to graze on the island grass daily, told his men to tie themselves to the bottom of the animals in order to escape. This would allow them to departure even as the cyclops felt each sheep as it went out the outer cavity of the cave. The excellent leader got his men out safely and the men were back on the horrendous trail back home. Though few were deceased, the greater well being of the crew was kept in mind like any good leader would