FREE ESSAY ON ODYSSEUS BY HOMER

ODYSSEUS BY HOMER

Odysseus by Homer
The Odyssey, written by Homer, tells the story of Odysseus andhow he faced misfortune in
his attempts to return home after the Trojan war. Odysseus is not famous for his great
strength or bravery, but for his ability to deceive and trick. From his misfortunes he
learned to be a better man and became able to regain his place in his homeland of
Ithaca.
During his journeys Odysseus often makes the mistake of bragging to his enemies but
learns that doing this gives his enemies a chance to seek revenge against him. After
leaving Troy, Odysseus attacks the land of the Cicones. Instead of leaving after his
victory he satys to celebrate until a force is gathered against him. He must then flee
after many of his men are killed. Afterwards Odysseus and his crew land on the island of
the Cyclops. they are attacked and someof the men are eaten by Polyphemus. After getting
the giant Cyclops drunk, Odysseus and his medn blind the monster with a spear in his one
eye. The could have made an escape without misfortune but Odysseus mocked Polyphemus and
shouted his real name, when before Odysseus had told Polyphemus that his name was Noman.
With this new information Polyphemus prays to his father, Peoeidon, to have Odysseus and
his men punished. because he agnered Peoceidon, Odysseus must wander throughout the sea
while his men slowly die one by one. Odysseus learns that bragging can have ill effects
and uses this knowledge on the island of Phaecians and Ithaca when he does not openly
brag about his deeds and his journeys.
Odysseus also learns to pay close attention to the instructions of the gods, or he might
have to face a terrible price. When Odysseus and his crew landed at the island of Aeolus,
they were given a parting gift that would have helped if they had paid attention to the
warnings of Aeolus. He gave Odysseus a bag full of the bad winds tha would keep them from
their home of Ithaca. Odysseus and his crew were in sight of the homeland they had waited
so long to see, when a hand of rebel crewmen opened the bag, because they thought it
contained treasures, creating a great gale that blew them back to Aeolus. When Aeolus saw
this he believed that Odysseus was cursed and banished him from the island. this is not
the only time Odyseus was betrayed by his men and suffered a great price. When they
landed on the island of Hyperion, bad winds prevented them from leaving. Food soon became
low, and when Odysseus was asleep, the crew killed the cows of Hyperion against the gods
warnings. Hyperion was enraged to see this and had all of Odysseus' men killed in a great
storm. Odysseus learns that the gods must be respected in order for any man to succeed.
On the island of the Cicones, and with his encounter with Polyphemus, Odysseus learns
that bragging can bring great misfortune. On Ithaca Odysseus never brags to the suitors
and is able to enter his house with the Antinous and the other suitors knowing his real
identity. He takes the punishment of Antinous and the other suitors without saying a word
and is able to see those who have invaded his house. Odysseus is able to see who is loyal
and who is not and take his revenge with the suitors never knowing who he was until the
final moment. Odysseus also learns to respect the gods. when he landed on Aesea, the
island of CIrce, he follows the instructions given to him by Hermes so that he can
overcome Circe and free his men. Odysseus follows the instructions that Circe had given
him very closely, entering and leaving hades without misfortune and using wax in the ears
of his cre to pass the Sirens. Odysseus becomes a better man throughout his journeys and
is ale to return to his homeland to regain his kingdom.
After spending years with the goddes Calypso Odysseus is offered a choice of either
living on the island with Calypso and becoming immortal like the gods, or he could retun
to his wife and country and be mortal like the rest. He chooses to return home. 
Throughout his wanderings for home, Odysseus becomes a humbler and more respectful man.
the once boastful man learns that his bragging can turn people against him, and is
quieter than before he left for Troy. He also learns that the immortal gods of Olympus
can be merciful and bring great fortune, but they also punish those that disobey their
wishes. Every time odysseus had not been respectful he has been severly punished and his
trip home delayed. Out of this great tragedy he has become a greater man to regain his
kingdom and live a long life.