Odysseus As A Tragic Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

“Nevertheless we sailed on, night and day, for nine days, and on the tenth at last appeared the land of our fathers, and we could see people tending fires, we were very close to them” (10.28-30). The Odyssey is an epic that represents more than just a journey to Odysseus’ homeland. It represents the loyalty, self-control, and perseverance one has for his country and loved ones. The journey to his country is strenuous and grueling on his men and him, but Odysseus is determined to be reunited with his wife and loved ones after defeating the Trojan War.
Once the battle at Troy is over, Odysseus and his men begin their journey home. Throughout their journey home, the men encounter different types of trouble. Odysseus sets sail, but quickly faces Poseidon who stirs up a storm that nearly destroys the ship. Ino, a goddess, gives Odysseus a veil to wear saying that it
The journeys experienced by Odysseus give him different values to represent. For instance, loyalty is given to Odysseus’ country and family; he has the opportunity to be unfaithful to his wife and rebel against his country. Odysseus also shows self-control by controlling his sexual temptations and rage toward Polyphemus. If Odysseus did not have self control, his men and him would not have made it back to their country. Lastly, Odysseus truly shows perseverance, after everything he experienced throughout his journey back home, he has never given up. “[…] what I want and all my days I pine for is to go back to my house and see my day of homecoming. And if some god batters me far out on the wine-blue water, I will endure it, keeping a stubborn spirit inside me, for already I have suffered much and done much hard work on the waves and in the fighting. So let this adventure follow” (5.219-224). During the hardest times, Odysseus came up with wise ways to survive and made it to his country and