Who Was Responsible For The Downfall Of Odysseus

Odysseus’ pride consumes his actions towards both the mortals and the immortals, forcing others to suffer the consequences in place of himself. When successfully outsmarting and blinding the cyclops Polyphemos (Parallel PrPP), Odysseus and his men begin to sail away. Choosing to not remain reticent, Odysseus decides to declare with pride details of both his accomplishments and who he is to the monster Polyphemos, exclaiming; “Cyclops, if any mortal man ever asks you who it was / that inflicted upon your eye this shameful blinding, / tell him that you were blinded by Odysseus, sacker of cities” (IX 502-504). He generates rancor in the blinded cyclops Polyphemos at the result of his boastful speech. Eye mutilated, arms flailing (Parallel AbP) Polyphemos curses Odysseus saying; “may [Odysseus] never reach that home
This starts a repetition of behavior from Odysseus that ultimately leads to the deaths of his “beloved” companions. Another consequence resulting from Odysseus’ rampant pride begins with his refusal to explain to his men what was inside the bag given to him by the wind god Aeolus. He chooses not to tell them before the “sweet sleep came upon [him]” because they could “come home quicker” if he handled the bag himself (X 31-34). Once the men couldn’t hold back their curiosity, they opened the bag hoping it would contain treasure. Unfortunately, due to their “evil counsel”, they open the bag releasing the eastern wind and are blown away from Ithaka’s shores(X 46) . The author’s diction with “the evil counsel of my companions” points to Odysseus’ lack of responsibility for his own actions. Robbed of their homecoming, Odysseus