Introduction
In Homer’s “The Odyssey,” the main character encounters several intimidating challenges and demonstrates tremendous leadership abilities with every issue. Odysseus represents the ideal leader because of the wealth of leadership that protects him and his crew and enables him to reach Ithaca. He emanates great comparison, cunning intelligence, and extraordinary bravery, making him quick-witted, courageous, bold, and determined. This essay will explain why Odysseus is an excellent example of effective leadership.
Leader Qualities in The Odyssey
First, to become a real leader, a man must be witty and intelligent. To conceal his identity, Odysseus tells Polyphemus, “My Name is Nohbdy…everyone calls me Nohbdy” (Homer 13). This was crucial in ensuring the central figure’s and his companions’ survival.
As Odysseus continued to battle more monsters, his cunning emerged as a key to his success: “Going forward, I carried wax along the line, and laid it thick on their ears” (Homer 21). The main character anticipated the Sirens’ arrival and sought to prevent his sailors from jumping into the water as soon as they began to sing near his ship. Some of his crewmembers may have perished if he had not reacted quickly and saved them.
In addition, bravery is another quality of his leadership. “…rammed deep in his crater eye,” Odysseus remarked. (Homer, 13). He was brave enough to try to flee while blinding a behemoth like Polyphemus, and he defeated many more monsters because he lacked fear. The hero once stated, “They tied me up, then, plumb amidships, back to the mast, lashed to the mast, and retook themselves to rowing” (Homer 21). This demonstrates that Odysseus believed in himself to be robust enough to withstand the Sirens’ song, as he took the courage to proceed without shielding his ears from the Sirens.
The lead character uses all his leadership abilities to accomplish his main objective of returning home. Not least of all, a strong leader requires tenacity, as Odysseus explained, “Where Shall a man find sweetness to surpass his own home and his parents” (Homer 6). The gods gave Odysseus gifts, yet he was still motivated to complete his mission and return to Ithaca to be with his family.
However, others could contend that the central player was a poor leader because of his curiosity. It can be proven from the poem: “On the second day, overcome by curiosity, Odysseus sails with a oneship and a crew to the mainland. He wants to see just what sort of creatures these Cyclops Are” (8).
Another lousy quality that makes him a bad leader is his arrogance, which can be noticed when the character faces different challenges. The hero and his soldiers get into unpleasant situations that would not have occurred otherwise because of their inordinate pride and hubris. Homer’s Odyssey begins with the leading character narrowly escaping a Cyclops’ cave, where the protagonist taunts the Cyclops, Polyphemus, after his glorious victory. After the Cyclops begins flinging enormous stones at their ship, his sailors warn him against aggravating Polyphemus, but Odysseus exhibits hubris and disregards their advice.
Conclusion
After reading “The Odyssey,” it is clear that the exhibited qualities define effective leadership due to the qualities described throughout the essay. He was a highly shrewd individual who assisted him and his staff in escaping risky circumstances. Throughout the narrative, Odysseus repeatedly shows his fearlessness as he battles monsters and goes through other challenges. The protagonist is stranded at sea for a very long time, but because of his perseverance, he eventually returns home, demonstrating how effective a leader Odysseus is.
Work Cited
Homer. “The Odyssey.” Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. Holt Elements of Literature. By G. Kylene Beers. Orlando, FL.: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2005. Print.