Odysseus Character Study
This is something I had to write for one or my high school English classes on the book The Odyssey By Homer
Some people focus on the flaws of Odysseus and think he is not the most heroic character in The Odyssey by Homer. On the contrary, he was a natural-born leader and went to extreme lengths to protect the soldiers under his command and to protect his family he worked so hard to get home too. While Penelope did raise a child and stay loyal to Odysseus for 20 years that simply does not change the fact that Odysseus WAS actually almost killed and did put his life at stake for his men. Out of anyone in the story, you’d basically have to choose Odysseus over the others because despite the struggles they went through they amount to nothing compared to the hardship Odysseus faced in war and on his journey home.
There are a few reasons why he is to be believed to be the most heroic character in The Odyssey. He had to lead his men through many trials and hardships (to no avail) and he has killed and fought for his men. Firstly, even though his family had to struggle without him, he was fighting for his second families lives. Him never giving up and doing this evaluates Oddy’s leadership skills and sense of protection for his soldiers. Secondly, Odysseus literally stabbed a cyclops 2-3 times the size of a person in the eye to escape his cave and return home with his men. With taking that action he proved that not only he has the courage and bravery to do that to an enemy of that caliber. It proves he has the ability to take action in dire situations, a trait that should be present in all heroes. Finally, Odysseus had forced his men off the island and onto the ship after they had gone to the island of the Lotos Eaters’ and refused to leave after eating the lotos flower. It took heart to decide to help his men and force them onto the ship rather than easily abandoning them and deciding they’re too far gone.
Although Odysseus is the most heroic person in The Odyssey, that also doesn’t mean he is indefinitely a good person. Despite his efforts to lead his men through hardship and struggle, they still died. He also knew some of his men would die, and continued to lead them through impending doom, deciding it was a worthy cost instead of himself dying. The analysis of this shows that Odysseus wasn’t an effective leader. Odysseus also took 10 years to make a short trip home. Although he was stranded on Circe’s island against his will for 7 years, nevertheless he still took 3 years to make a 2 week trip back to his home. This shows him and his actions are very time consuming and not a good leader for being so off-track. Finally, he wasn’t a very faithful man at all. Although his wife was faithful for the 20 years while he was away, Odysseus was not. He was acquainted with various other women before returning home to his wife, telling her nothing of the other women.
Odysseus may be the most heroic, but his wife Penelope also had her fair share of heroism in the form of loyalty and dedication.