Introduction
With various literary works existing in the world, analysis of particular aspects of a story can help in understanding it better. Such analysis can be focused on the character of king Odysseus, one of the main figures of Homer’s epic The Odyssey. King Odysseus represents a complex personality of a hero and a ruler, who is constantly viewed by simple people and gods, as he faces various adventures.
Discussion
To begin with, while king Odysseus is the most prominent figure of The Odyssey, the exploration of his personality should start with other characters’ perceptions of him to determine whether the king meets their judgments. As the epic starts, it is obvious that Odysseus is no ordinary man due to the interest the gods take in him (Homer 3-5). The Olympian gods meet to discuss his fate, and even Zeus participates in the discussion, encouraging others to assist Odysseus on his way home (Homer 3-5). Moreover, although Poseidon is described to be raging at Odysseus and not sympathizing, one cannot deny that such a feeling is more an expression of attention rather than indifference (Homer 3). However, the Olympian that partakes in the king’s life the most is Athena, who volunteers to go down to Ithaca and prepare Odysseus’s son for his father’s return (Homer 4-5). The gods’ meeting with the purpose of considering one individual’s future can indicate the significance of that person to the world.
Following that, it is important to analyze why the Olympians are interested in Odysseus. While the narration starts with the king’s descriptions, one should focus on the god’s opinions of the character. For instance, Poseidon is angry with Odysseus for blinding Polyphemus, which, however, indicates the king’s strength as a warrior who can overpower a god’s son (Homer 4-5). On the other hand, Zeus speaks in Odysseus’s favor, describing him as a great person who “excels all men in wisdom” (Homer 4). Finally, Athena agrees with Zeus that the king is wise but also adds that he is an experienced fighter and pities his misfortune of suffering away from his loved ones (Homer 4-5). The judgments of the three gods most involved in Odysseus’s story show that he is intelligent and seasoned on the battlefield man.
Furthermore, the king’s son Telemachus’s perceptions of Odysseus are necessary to consider, as his character is also vital in the epic. In the first book, Telemachus imagines his father to be a magnificent and mighty ruler, indicating admiration, although the two have never met before (Homer 6). Moreover, his respect can be seen in Telemachus’s words that their house was richer with Odysseus but is no more (Homer 10). However, Telemachus seems to be certain that Odysseus has died and not so certain that he is the king’s son, although he has grieved over the king’s disappearance (Homer 9-10). Despite that, Telemachus is rather quick to follow Athena’s advice of going on a journey to look for Odysseus, regardless of not knowing if he is still alive (Homer 10-12). Telemachus’s opinions in the first book show that Odysseus is perceived to be a powerful man whose sole image can change a person’s mindset and make them go on a quest for him.
Telemachus goes on a journey to search for information about his father and meets various people whose opinions can help understand Odysseus’s personality, as the king himself is not present at the epic’s beginning. Some believe that Odysseus is going to return soon, as, for instance, Halitherses says that he is “breeding bloody death for all these suitors” (Homer 23). Others, like Eurymachus and Eurycleia, state that he is somewhere far away from home and is not alive (Homer 23, 29). However, regardless of people believing in the king’s return, many of them speak of him with high regard. For example, king Nestor says that Odysseus was a wily king who excelled in strategy and kindly treats Telemachus simply because he is Odysseus’s son (Homer 36, 43). Furthermore, king Menelaus declares that he has never met a man like Odysseus, who was a fearless and brutal hero (Homer 58). Finally, Penelope, who does not accept any suitors, describes her missing husband as fair and kind to his people, a king unlike others (Homer 71). Even if some people think that Odysseus is gone, many perceive him as a great ruler.
With multiple characters, whether gods or human beings, believing Odysseus to be a glorious king, one should analyze his identity closer and decide if years of being away from home have changed him. The first time the epic actually presents Odysseus to the reader, he is portrayed on a headland of Calypso’s island (Homer 80). A wise ruler and an experienced warrior, he is “weeping there as always, wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish” (Homer 80). As Calypso and Hermes converse, it is obvious that her island, on which Odysseus has been for years, has no cities and no man, and not even a god would willingly go there (Homer 80). Moreover, the king has none of his followers since his shipmates had died before he arrived on the island (Homer 81). Odysseus has been trapped there with only Calypso, who claims that Zeus and all other gods abandoned him (Homer 81). As Odysseus has been living on a deserted island, having lost his friends and forgotten by gods, it would not be surprising if even his inner power would have deteriorated.
To better understand Odysseus’s personality, it is important to also analyze his adventures before the main events of the epic. In several books during which Odysseus is in Phaeacia, he recalls his story of all the years that he has been missing (Homer 136). Odysseus is self-assured as he begins his narrative by saying that his “fame has reached the skies” (Homer 137). He is a patriot, which is understood from his description of his country (Homer 137). Odysseus’s adventures in the sea, on the land of the Lotus-eaters, on the land of Cyclops portray him as a great fighter and a strategic commander who cares for his people (Homer 138-151). However, more troubles arose soon, marked by the words of Odysseus being “most cursed man alive” (Homer 157). For many days, he was haunted by death, lost his followers and ships, and became imprisoned on Calypso’s island.
Despite Odysseus having to spend his lonely days in tears, his character remains strong to a certain extent. When Calypso states she will let him go, Odysseus makes her promise that she will never harm him, so the nymph claims him to be a wicked man who is never at a loss (Homer 83). Moreover, Odysseus says that his longing for home is so strong that he is willing to overcome any obstacles from gods (Homer 84). The first obstacle comes from Poseidon and, although Odysseus is on the brink of death, he relies on his own powers and strategic thinking (Homer 86-88). Odysseus begins his journey back home, certain of hardships but with faith in himself.
One should also notice that a significant part of the obstacles in Odysseus’s journey comes from Poseidon. The god’s rage at the king is explained as revenge for Poseidon’s son, but what is more important is Odysseus’s reaction (Homer 4-5). At first, Odysseus challenges Poseidon’s powers and, before reaching Calypso’s island, seems to have no doubt in himself (Homer 152-153). Later in the epic, Zeus tells Poseidon to pay back any man who disrespects the earthquake god, but the king of Ithaca appears to be an exception (Homer 216). For instance, as mentioned above, when Odysseus escapes the island, Poseidon sends him a storm, and the king falls, both physically and emotionally (Homer 86). However, although certain of approaching demise, Odysseus refuses the help of Cadmus’ daughter and relies on his own strategy over and over again (Homer 87-89). Poseidon’s interference with Odysseus’s story portrays a confrontation between a man and a god, of which Odysseus manages to come out alive and victorious.
Although the last several years seem not to have changed Odysseus much, the world has changed. When Odysseus reaches his homeland, Ithaca, he does not recognize it at first (Homer 219). Then, he learns that many suitors are courting his wife Penelope, and, as Athena changes Odysseus’s appearance, they join forces and together plan his revenge (Homer 223-225). However, their plans reverse when Odysseus finally meets his son Telemachus (Homer 268). Although Telemachus does not believe that he met his father and thinks of him as a god, the two are crying, happy to unite (Homer 269-270). Moreover, Telemachus’s perception of Odysseus being a brave and smart warrior is not only confirmed but he is surprised with his father’s tactics and eagerness to fight (Homer 271-272). Despite that, Odysseus’s son finds flaws in his strategy and suggests other ways to win the suitors (Homer 273). While Odysseus remains a great warrior and seems to have met his son’s expectations, Telemachus’s wariness shows the king’s overreaching recklessness that may not benefit them under presented circumstances.
As the epic progresses, more features of Odysseus’s personality are revealed. For instance, when he, disguised as a beggar, walks towards his palace, a man, Melanthius, starts abusing and taunting the king (Homer 286). Odysseus becomes angry at once and begins thinking of ways to punish the man but as quickly contains himself and continues on his way (Homer 287). Next, Odysseus encounters his old dog Argus who he had trained before his journey to Troy, and the glorious fighter “flicks away a tear” over his memories of the animal (Homer 289). Later, laying at night in the palace, angry and wary about his further actions, Odysseus calms himself down with words, “you’ve borne worse, far worse” (Homer 336). Such small incidents may not seem important, but they question Odysseus’s prior recklessness, as he is able to control his emotions that seem feel for all creatures.
Despite Odysseus being able to sympathize with both humans and animals, he is portrayed to show no mercy to those who wrong him. When Odysseus finally reveals his identity, he is asked to spare the suitors as they try to put the blame on the dead Antinous (Homer 366). However, the king is filled with rage and claims that neither of them will survive (Homer 366). Odysseus shows his mastery of tactics again during the battle, but as the battle ends as a massacre, he realizes that the noblemen he has just killed will be avenged (Homer 369, 384). The punishment of the suitors suggests that while Odysseus is a great tactician, his plans can go as far as accomplishing one goal at a time rather than foreseeing multiple outcomes at once.
When Odysseus’s life is endangered, Athena saves him once again. In the end, Athena commands both quarreling sides to hold back and set peace among them, leaving the king alive (Homer 410). While Odysseus is the most prominent character of the epic, many of his successes are due to Athena’s endeavors. Athena is the one to facilitate the king’s return home, and she is the one who strives to change his personality (Homer 4). As can be seen by the analysis, Odysseus is quite self-confident, but the goddess attempts to humble him. Athena makes him beg princess Nausicaa for help, and the king is pushed to pray to someone below his social status, even if it is a princess (Homer 97-99). Furthermore, Athena promotes Odysseus’s reunion with Telemachus, changes the king’s appearance in Ithaca so no one would recognize him, and encourages him during the battle with the suitors (Homer 244-245, 277, 371). While Odysseus is a glorious fighter, he manages to survive due to the goddess’s assistance.
One more way to understand better Odysseus’s personality is by exploring the reasons behind Athena’s interest in the king. While attraction towards Odysseus is not explained directly, one can assume that the goddess helps the king because she finds similarities between them. For instance, when Athena visits him in Ithaca, Odysseus lies about his identity, as he does not know who is in front of him (Homer 219). Instead of being angry at him, the goddess smiles, amused by his words, and says that they are both wise and cunning, he among the mortals and she among the gods (Homer 219-221). Furthermore, as a divine creature, Athena is pleased with Odysseus’s loyalty towards her. For example, he does not hold a grudge at her for abandoning him but continues to praise her and claims that with her help only he can fight hundreds of men (Homer 103, 224). Athena seems involved in Odysseus’s fate due to his devotion to her and likenesses in their personalities.
Conclusion
To summarize, The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who goes to fight the Trojans and experiences various adventures on his way home. Although the epic is centered around Odysseus, he is not present in the first books, so the reader forms opinions of him based on other characters’ perceptions. The king’s fate is viewed by the Olympian gods, which, regardless of them supporting or interfering, indicates his importance. Although almost none of them is sure of his return, many people think of Odysseus as a master of strategy, strong warrior, and wise ruler. The epic shows that years of being away from home did not change the king much, as Odysseus is shown as a self-confident commander who can be too reckless at times. However, one should remember that, while the king was alone on Calypso’s island, abandoned by people and gods, his own powers kept him strong and sane. With that being said, one can continue to argue whether Odysseus is a great hero because the goddess Athena favors him or if Athena favors Odysseus because he is a great hero.
Work Cited
Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin Classics, 1996.