Devon White
Odyssey Essay
Sophomore. English
20 May 2008
The Odyssey's main character, Odysseus, is a very intricate man. He has many great characteristics, but the ones that stand out are his willingness to endure every difficulty, his intelligence, and great prowess in his long journey home. Homer makes this story exciting and interesting for every reader.
Odyssey is a very determined man, and he never gives up. There are many times throughout this story that the reader might think he would just throw his hands up in the air and give up. However, Odysseus keeps on trucking down his long arduous road back to Ithaca. In fact he is trapped on an island with the horrible Calypso, but keeps his hopes strong; wereas any one else would except that he was never going to leave and give up his will to get home. Even when Odyusseus was in his own home right next to his wife, whom he had been waiting to see for years, Odysseus keeps his disguise. He is very committed to his many tasks, and is never idle.
The Greek warrior is very strong and would be able to outfight most normal and ordinary. If Odysseus was not this physically strong, he would not be able to make it through his distress. Having to use his might to get himself through his journey, Odyssues builds a boat all by himself, which is tough enough to hold him on the torturous sea. Although he does not flaunt his great strength, people find out how wonderful he is only when he is tested. For instance, a young man questions his power saying, "You certainly have not the look of a sportsmen” (91). Immediately after this taunt, Odysseus, needing to prove himself, picks up a thick metal disk and flings it as far as possible, blowing all of the other men's throws out of the water. At the conclusion of the story, Odysseus fights all of the suitors with very little help, resulting in the death of the entire group almost single-handedly.
Even though Odysseus is a lost wandering soul, he still is very smart and cunning. As a result, intellect has leds him to many great feats. In fact he uses it to win the Trojan War, the fight between the Trojans and Odysseus' men. He builds a giant horse, big enough for all of his men, and they hide in it until nightfall. When darkness comes they break out and defeat the Trojans. As a result of Odysseus's intelligence, Athena admires him and guides him along his way. His mind also helps him defeat many obstacles blocking his road home. He turns his men back into humans when they get converted into pigs by a nymph, Circe. Also Odysseus gets himself and his men away from Polyphemos, the Cyclops with one eye, by piercing a hot metal spear into his eye.
Odysseus is a very committed father, tough man, intelligent soul, trying to make his journey home in spite of all the tribulations on his path.
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