Odysseus
Persuasive Essay: The Odyssey
Homer’s Odysseus is a complicated character faced with mythic challenges as he leads his men on their journey home to Ithaca. As their leader, Odysseus makes the decisions that ultimately determine their fates. By the time he reaches the shores of Greece, Odysseus is the only one of his men to make it home. This fact alone points to flaws in his abilities to lead his men. Odysseus fails as a good leader because of three character flaws: opportunism, arrogance, and egoism.
Odysseus is a cunning strategist who never met an opportunity he didn’t like. He often fails to act for the greater good because he thinks of himself first. Since the Greek heroes valued “kleos” or the fame that survives death, it is typical of Odysseus that after stabbing the Kyclops in the eye with a hot poker he seizes the opportunity to receive “kleos.” He cannot slip away anonymously but must claim the victory. He taunts the Kyclops by shouting, “If ever mortal man inquired how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laërtês’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca.” (160) Thus, Odysseus selfishly snatches fame without thinking of the consequences of revealing not only his name but also the exact location of his home. When the Kyclops asks his father Poseidon to avenge him, he knows exactly who to blame. Odysseus thus brings death to his men by seizing the opportunity for fame at the risk of their safety.
Odysseus also proves to be a bad leader when he succumbs to arrogance and flaunts his self-importance. For instance, he disregards the advice of the goddess Athena who is his own mentor. “ Another man would trust some villainous mortal, with no brains—and what am I?
Homer’s Odysseus is a complicated character faced with mythic challenges as he leads his men on their journey home to Ithaca. As their leader, Odysseus makes the decisions that ultimately determine their fates. By the time he reaches the shores of Greece, Odysseus is the only one of his men to make it home. This fact alone points to flaws in his abilities to lead his men. Odysseus fails as a good leader because of three character flaws: opportunism, arrogance, and egoism.
Odysseus is a cunning strategist who never met an opportunity he didn’t like. He often fails to act for the greater good because he thinks of himself first. Since the Greek heroes valued “kleos” or the fame that survives death, it is typical of Odysseus that after stabbing the Kyclops in the eye with a hot poker he seizes the opportunity to receive “kleos.” He cannot slip away anonymously but must claim the victory. He taunts the Kyclops by shouting, “If ever mortal man inquired how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laërtês’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca.” (160) Thus, Odysseus selfishly snatches fame without thinking of the consequences of revealing not only his name but also the exact location of his home. When the Kyclops asks his father Poseidon to avenge him, he knows exactly who to blame. Odysseus thus brings death to his men by seizing the opportunity for fame at the risk of their safety.
Odysseus also proves to be a bad leader when he succumbs to arrogance and flaunts his self-importance. For instance, he disregards the advice of the goddess Athena who is his own mentor. “ Another man would trust some villainous mortal, with no brains—and what am I?