Endurance In The Odyssey

Endurance is often shown in physical ability and strength, but Odysseus proves endurance can be emotional as well. In the Odyssey, Homer often states, “Odysseus, always thinking…” meaning Odysseus always sees the possible outcomes in every situation. For instance, while was on the Island of the Cyclops, he was forced to watch his men die, two at a time. As a greek, he was going against his morals by avenging his men by killing the cyclops, but instead seeing that if he did, he would be trapped. He had to endure the pain of watching his men die, putting aside what he wants as long as it gets him what he needs. Being a greek, Odysseus has many basic moral values, such as loyalty, intelligence, glory and hospitality, or xenia. He achieved nearly all of these values with flying colors, intelligence and glory shown at war, hospitality shown in the land of the Cimmerians. However, his loyalty was questioned in the land of the Cimmerians. Odysseus and his men had gone down to learn how to return to Ithaca from Theban Tiresias, when his lure to get Tiresias to talk had also brought up other people who had passed away. One of those people had been his mother, who had raised him to become the man he is today. In ancient greece, you must always be loyal to family, proven by Achilles when Odysseus
Because of his lack of intelligence and strength, surviving those years was the best he would do, which is why he had achieved kleos. However, Odysseus is both strong in the mind and body, making his potential higher than most. He had to watch his men get killed and ward off his mother, putting aside what he wants so the greater goal can be achieved. After achieving the brutal years at war, he has proven his physical endurance, and after watching his men be killed and having to ward aff his mother, he has also proven his emotional