The Three Monotheistic Religions

Character Analysis of Odysseus What kind of man is Odysseus? He is a man of “twists and turns” (1.1) and there are not enough words to describe him. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is on his way home from the Trojan War. He goes through many challenges to get back to Ithaca. Odysseus is a man of contradiction, adventure, and determination. Odysseus is determined. For example, Homer says in The Odyssey “many pains he suffered, heartsick on the open sea/ fighting to save his life and bring his comrades home” (1.5-6). This shows that Odysseus was focused on his task in getting back home to Ithaca. Since Odysseus was focused, it shows that he did everything possible to get home. In addition Odysseus went to Circe’s home to get his men turned back to humans. This shows that Odysseus did what it takes to get his men back home. Odysseus didn’t let his men stay pigs; he was determined to get them back and to be a good leader. Odysseus is a determined character who does whatever it takes to get back home. Odysseus is contradictory. For example, when Odysseus overcame Circe, she then welcomes her into her bed. Odysseus then says, “’Mount your bed? Not for all the world. Not/ until you consent to swear, goddess, a binding oath/ you’ll never plot some new intrigue to harm me!’…and when she’d finished, then, at last, I mounted Circe’s gorgeous bed.” This shows that Odysseus had the good intentions but uses trickery or unmoral actions, like cheating on his wife, to complete his goals. In the efforts to save his men, Odysseus does the unmoral and sleeps with Circe. In addition, Odysseus longs to get home, yet spends seven years with Calypso and one year with Circe. This shows that Odysseus is set on going back home to his family, but lets beautiful women get in the way of him returning. Odysseus knows the right thing to do is to try and get home, but chooses to find pleasure and stays with the goddesses. Odysseus has good plans in mind, but sometimes takes the contradictory route. Odysseus is adventurous. For example, in Book 11, Odysseus said “I had to venture down to the House of Death” (186). This shows that Odysseus was traveling to a place that he didn’t know much about and he didn’t know what kind of challenges he was going to run into. He was taking a risk because he could’ve gotten taken over by the souls or trapped down there. In addition, Odysseus was traveling on sea in the book. This shows that he was taking chances by being on sea for so long while he was on Poseidon’s bad side. Odysseus didn’t know what was going to happen while he was out on sea or what kind of weather he was going to encounter. Odysseus goes through many trials to show his adventurous side. Odysseus encounters many hardships that proved he is determined, adventurous, and contradictory. Odysseus goes through many challenges to prove his character. He battles giants, tricks goddesses, and led his crew to safety multiple times. In society, heroes are needed to lead people in the right direction, to help to save those in trouble, and to make the world a better place. Without heroes, this world may be a bad place.