Odysseus 'Wit InThe Odyssey'

One complication that they encounter, is coming ashore on an unknown land, where Odysseus and several of his best men came across a cave filled with cheese. The men helped themselves while waiting for the owner to return, in hopes of receiving the gift of Xenia, the hospitality to those far from home. However, when they learned the owner was a gigantic angered cyclops, Polyphemus, the men immediately wanted to kill him in his sleep. Instead, knowledgeable Odysseus convinced them to be patient, so that a plan could be carried out successfully. Swiftly and carefully, the men followed Odysseus’ orders: carving a stick to a point and positioning it over Polyphemus’ eye to sneakily steal his sight. Once he was blind, Polyphemus knew he did must not let the men escape, but Odysseus thought of this as well. Odysseus skillfully tied three of the cyclops sheep together and concealed a man under each set, allowing the men to escape. Therefore, Odysseus possesses the ability to think of intelligent plans quickly, which saves many

The epic poem, The Odyssey, performed by Homer, expresses views about what a hero means to the author through a constructed Greek myth. Homer utilizes different styles of literary devices to portray his explanation on what a hero means to him through three different characters: Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus. The book takes place on an Island in Greece, specifically, the protagonist’s wanderings cover the Aegean and surrounding seas. The story eventually ends in Ithaca, in northwestern Greece. Telemachus travels from Ithaca to southern Greece around 700 B.C. As the book goes on, these three characters develop heroic qualities as people who put themselves in front of others, use wit rather than brute force, and the develop strong familial values.

In the story The Odyssey, Odysseus is the king of his home Ithaca. He won the battle of Troy and is trying to find his way back home. His wife, Penelope and son, Telemachus are back in Ithaca waiting for his patiently for his arrival. Along the way home he comes across many things that slow him down but he is still determined to get back to his family and Ithaca. Along the way Odysseus has shown many characteristics of a hero. Some things are when this is said in the story, “...weathered many bitter nights and days in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home.” ( The Odyssey page. 371). This shows that Odysseus was not only protecting himself but also protecting his shipmates. Knowing that he

Twenty years from home can be enough to break a man down. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus struggles to get home over his two-decade hero’s journey. While he fought against monsters, women, suitors, and even his own men, his most tremendous battles are against himself, fighting his own officiousness and hubris. This conflict causes his expedition to not only be significantly longer but also notably more difficult. Odysseus’s flaw of curiosity provoked the god Poseidon, who is arguably his most heinous enemy. Once Odysseus’s and his men arrived at the Land of the Cyclopes, Odysseus inquisitiveness prompted him to explore the island, provoking Polyphemus, the Cyclopes. After violating the barbarian’s household, Odysseus quickly finds himself escaping Polyphemus’s wrath, however the Cyclopes was still able to curse Odysseus, calling upon his father, praying, “Should destiny intend that he shall see his roof again among his family in his fatherland, far be that day and dark the years between.

“The Intelligence, but Foolish Overconfidence, of Odysseus” Odysseus, the heroic protagonist in Homer’s epic The Odyssey, struggles for 10 years to get back to his homeland of Ithaca and to his faithful wife, Penelope. While Odysseus passes through foreign lands, he earns the respect of some gods and the wrath of others, loses crew members and friends, faces many difficult decisions and literally journeys to hell and back. However, the particular challenge that Odysseus faces with a Cyclops, Polyphemus, illustrates one of his best qualities and quickly contrasts it with one of his worst qualities; his superior intelligence with his overconfidence and demanding need for glory. Odysseus comes into contact with Polyphemus after his crew unknowingly

In Robert Fitzgerald's translation of Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus is viewed as heroic while making his journey from the Trojan War after the sack of the Troy, back to his homeland Ithaca. Throughout his expedition, his legacy of being a great warrior due to his strength, cleverness, and patience when dealing with individuals is praised by the people of Ithaka, people of Scheria, and Homer himself. For twenty years, Odysseus leaves behind his kingdom, including his wife, Penelope. Along with the sorrow from dealing with her husband's disappearance, Penelope faces coercion from Ithaka to marry one of the 108 suitors who have invaded the kingdom. Consequently, she must express characteristics of maturity in order to not succumb to the suitor’s

Across the canvas of the ancient world, embark on a voyage with Odysseus, where wit and bravery unite, a never-ending saga showcasing the enduring spirit of cleverness and courage. Mastermind of war, a valiant and clever hero, Odysseus, as depicted in Homer's epic The Odyssey Translated by Fagles, confronts challenges on his journey home from the Trojan War. Through knowledge, he outwits his foes, alongside his teammates, such as the Cyclops and Sirens, showcasing both wit and courage. As the days unfold, ultimately losing all of his dear and courageous comrades, Odysseus returns to Ithaca, where he cleverly defeats the suitors and reunites with his family, alone. Eventually, exemplifying that man underscores the enduring qualities of courage

To begin Odysseus is clever when it comes down to escaping the cyclops. After gouging the cyclops eye Odysseus came up with a plan after spotting the sheep,” so three sheep could convey each man, I took the wooliest ram, the choicest of the flock, and hung myself under his belly” (Homer IX. 382-384). Odysseus shows creativity when using the cyclops sheep as a way out. In addition Odysseus shows creativity when talking to his son about the attack on the suitors.

In life, humans are faced with a multitude of different kinds of problems and challenges. Throughout all of life, these moments have always taught young kids, adults, and even elders different life lessons and values. In The Odyssey, the main character, Odysseus, battles several different obstacles throughout his journey. He learns about many different values, life lessons, and even rediscovers and reinvents himself. To an audience member in ancient Greece, one could learn of the important values just by listening to these stories.

In the epic poem, the Odyssey, by Homer Odysseus experiences many amazing events before arriving at home in Ithaka. I believe that the experiences that he has had on his long journey and his personality will not allow Odysseus to be at peace in his homeland. Odysseus has been away from home for about twenty years. He has experienced many trials and adventures on his prolonged journey home. I believe that Odysseus will not be at peace in his homeland because he has been a warrior since an early age, he is not patient, and most importantly, he has a very curious mind.

Trouble. Pain-giver. Hated one. These all seem to be phrases used to describe an especially troubled villain, not ones which we would expect to be applied to a known hero such as Odysseus, who endures unimaginable hardship, years of captivity, a shipwreck and bad luck before finally returning home, triumphant. The above adjectives and phrases are exactly what the name “Odysseus” means.

Before finally landing in Ithaca, he had to sail past Scylla, a six-headed monster who swallows one sailor for each head from passing ships, and Charybdis, an enormous whirlpool that could swallow an entire vessel. Circe instructed Odysseus to not put up a fight with Scylla as he sails past her, and he obeyed her instruction. Here, Odysseus showed firm self-discipline, where he refrained himself from the desire to battle with the monster when she plucked out and killed six of his strongest men (pg. 163). It is true that Odysseus is a war hero with immense physical strength, but what truly set him apart from other war heroes in The Odyssey are his wits and intelligence. The tale of the Trojan Horse, which was a device Odysseus designed to help the Greeks invade the city of Troy and win the Trojan War, greatly highlights his intelligence and skills in tactical warfare. The true extent of his wits can be seen when Odysseus tricked the cannibal Cyclops into letting his crew go by using a clever word play on his own name (pg.

One of the major themes of Homer’s Odyssey is the importance of cunning over strength. This also happens to be the case with Odysseus and his long ten year journey home from fighting in Troy. Odysseus uses his intelligence over strength to ‘fight’ through tough times and bring himself home to Ithaca. Odysseus uses his intelligence when he has his men tie him down while passing the Sirens, so he himself will be able to hear their beautiful song, but not be entranced by their singing. He also uses cunning to escape from the Cyclops’ cave without being harmed. He then uses his cunning by storing away all of the armory, shields, and knives from the suitors so he is able to kill them easily.

I completely agree with your statement about time never stopping, if you aren't right there with it, it will pass you in a heartbeat. Odysseus was gone for twenty years and had to come back to a kingdom that was completely different from his memory, suitors in his house, his son being an adult, having to be disguised as a beggar allowed him to study how his kingdom had changed and how it was affected while he was gone. “I am that father whom your boyhood lacked and suffered pain for lack of me. I am he.” (295, lines 221-222) Odysseus has to come back to a grown son and has to prove to him that his father has really returned, he came back to a completely different place that had gone through many years without him there. This often times occur

Homer's epic tale The Odyssey is a story of the triumphs and downfalls that are in store for one warrior's long pillage home.  Odysseus, the hero from the Trojan wars, has led his people of Ithaca and other Achaean soldiers to victory and now wishes to return home to his wife and family of Ithaca.  Through his twenty year journey Odysseus is often tested not only of his physical strength, but his wits as well.  The many accomplishments he achieved earned him great status and recognition throughout ancient Greece.  The mistakes he made caused the deaths of many men.  Consequently, we as readers are able to see the many personas that Odysseus carries with him.