The Leadership Of Odysseus Cyclops In Homer's Odyssey

Initially, using his boundless bravery and extraordinary leadership instincts, Odysseus is able to spare several of his crew men’s lives from the monstrous Cyclops'. Although the Cyclops is a “mighty man” with great strength, Odysseus “[speaks] up in reply” to him because of his gallantry (Homer 152, 278-80). Odysseus knows that standing up for his men is the only way to protect them, he must be brave and demonstrates this by sacrificing himself to prevent the giant man-eating Cyclops from consuming his men. He “[drew] the sharp sword from [his] hip” and “[stabbed] him where the midriff holds the liver”, blinding the immense beast (154, 324-27). Odysseus’s bold decision to stab the Cyclops requires superior leadership, facing a giant individually