Odysseus: Hero or Villain

Lizeth Marin Honors Introduction to Literature Period 3 18 April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? Heading home, to Ithaca, Odysseus is faced upon many obstacles that he and his men try to overcome, but in the end substantiate that Odysseus is a villain. “The old soldier in despair: He has spent ten years (seven of them as Calypso’s not entirely unwillingly captive) trying to get home” (652, summary). Evidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as Calypso’s captive for a time. Yet he can still be judged as a villain, because he does not just stay as a prisoner, no, he assists Calypso by being with her for the pleasures that she offers to him. Of course that Odysseus never says no to that, which reveals his true and voracious side.”As Circe of Aeaea, the enchantress, desired me, and detained me in her hall. But in my heart I never gave my consent” (656,141-143). This quote once again proves Odysseus to be a villain. This could be argued and said that Odysseus was only taking precautions so that he would not get killed or so that Circe would not release her rage at him in some sort of way. However, with Circe he could have left whenever he wanted unlike when he was with Calypso. Odysseus continues his journey, though he is retained by many obstacles, but only proves that his felony is even stronger than what could have ever been imagined. Odysseus once again through his action proves himself worthy of being known as a villain. Bitten by curiosity, Odysseus proposes to go see the Cyclops’s cave and insists on waiting for him (660, summary). His action leads him and his men to danger. Odysseus after his encounter with Polyphemus, a Cyclops and Poseidon’s monstrous son, is captured along with his men. Odysseus outsmarts the Cyclops and saves some of his men, but it still leaves him as the person responsible for the felony that his men commit to Cyclops