odysseus tragic journey

Head of Odysseus from a sculptural group of the blinding of Polyphemus from the Villa of Tiberius at Sperlonga (1st century CE)

Odysseus, son of Laertes and Anticleia, was a Greek hero and the king of the island of Ithaca. He married the beautiful princess Penelope and had one son by her, Telemachus .

Described by Homer as the “man of twists and turns,” Odysseus was noted above all for his intelligence and cunning. He used these attributes to great effect during the Trojan War, devising the trick of the Wooden Horse (or Trojan Horse), which finally ended the decade-long conflict.

After the war, Odysseus spent ten years wandering the world, trying to get back home to his beloved family. After many fantastic adventures, Odysseus finally reached Ithaca and was reunited with his wife and son.

How long did it take Odysseus to get home?

Odysseus was gone from Ithaca for a total of twenty years. He spent ten years fighting at Troy, and another ten wandering the seas trying to get back home.

Though he faced many trials and tribulations during his wanderings, Odysseus did eventually make it back to Ithaca. When he finally arrived, however, he found his palace crawling with violent suitors who wanted to marry his wife Penelope and take over his kingdom. Thus, Odysseus’ homecoming was not complete until he had killed all the suitors.

Who turned Odysseus’ crew into pigs?

Odysseus’ crew was turned into pigs by the witch Circe . Circe’s remote island was one of the many stops Odysseus made during his decade of wandering. Upon landing on the island, he sent out some of his men as scouts, but they were transformed into pigs when they came upon Circe’s palace.

When Odysseus learned what had happened, he set out to rescue his men. The god Hermes aided in this quest by gifting Odysseus a plant that made him immune to Circe’s magic. When he came to the witch’s palace, he demanded that she restore his men to their true form. Circe, realizing that she had no power over Odysseus, did as he asked.

Circe by Wright Barker (1889)

How did Odysseus die?

Odysseus was fated to die at the hands of his son Telegonus, the product of his affair with the witch Circe. Telegonus had come to Ithaca in search of his father, having learned about Odysseus from his mother.

But when Telegonus arrived in Ithaca, Odysseus mistook him for a pirate and attacked him. During the ensuing battle, Telegonus, not recognizing his father, killed Odysseus with a spear tipped with the venom of a sea creature. This fulfilled the prophecy that Odysseus’ death would come from the sea.

Melian terracotta plaque with the return of Odysseus (ca. 460–450 BCE)

Odysseus and the Cyclops

During his wanderings, Odysseus happened upon the island of the Cyclopes —giant one-eyed sons of Poseidon. There, the brutal Cyclops Polyphemus captured Odysseus and a few of his men, trapping them in his cave. 

Polyphemus picked off Odysseus’ men two by two, killing and eating them. But Odysseus managed to escape in the end by getting the Cyclops drunk on wine and then blinding him with a sharpened stake when he fell asleep.

Argive krater showing Odysseus blinding the Cyclops Polyphemus (7th century BCE)

The etymology of the name “Odysseus” has been much debated. In ancient Greek literature, it was connected with the words odyssomai (“to be angry with, to hate”), odyromai (“to lament”), or ollymi (“to perish, to be lost”). In Book 19 of the Odyssey , for example, the servant Euryclea tells of how, when Odysseus was born, his grandfather Autolycus named him Odysseus “inasmuch as I am come hither as one that has been angered with [Greek: odyssamenos ] many, both men and women, over the fruitful earth.” [1]

However, modern scholars generally regard the derivation of “Odysseus” from odyssomai as a folk etymology. Attempts have been made to trace the name to various locales and languages from Odysseus’ mythology, including Illyria or Epirus in northwestern Greece, continental Europe, Asia Minor, and Babylonian or Hittite. Other scholars have simply concluded that the name is pre-Greek. [2]

Pronunciation

Alternate names.

From an early date, Odysseus’ name existed in a number of variants, including Oliseus, Olyseus, Olysseus, Olyteus, Olytteus, Ōlysseus, and Oulixēs. These forms seem to have been more closely related to Odysseus’ Italian counterparts, the Etruscan Uthuze and the Roman Ulixes or Ulysses. According to John Tzetzes, the Etruscans sometimes called Odysseus Nanus or Nannus. [3]

Titles and Epithets

Odysseus’ most famous epithet is polytropos , popularly translated as “the man of twists and turns.” This is one of several epithets that highlight Odysseus’ cunning. Others include polymētis , “of many councils,” and polymēchanos , “of many devices.”

Odysseus had other important epithets. Because of his role in sacking Troy, he was called ptoliporthios (“sacker of cities”). Due to his many long years of wandering, he was called polytlas and polytlēmōn (“much-suffering, much enduring”), polypenthēs (“of much pain”), and polystonos (“of much sorrow”). Finally, Odysseus was often simply called by his patronymic, Laertiadēs , meaning “son of Laertes.”

Odysseus was the king of Ithaca, a small, rocky island on the west coast of Greece. Unlike the kingdoms of most other great heroes, Odysseus’ island home was humble and insignificant.

What Odysseus lacked in political prestige he made up for in his intellectual attributes. As his famous epithets suggest, Odysseus, “the man of twists and turns,” was extraordinarily cunning. It was no doubt partly because of this cunning that Athena , the goddess of wisdom (among other things), loved Odysseus so dearly.

Pallas Athena, attributed to Rembrandt van Rijn (ca. 1655).

Physically, Odysseus was typically described as not very tall but broad-shouldered and broad-chested. [4] He was known for his speed as well as his strength, as illustrated in many of the myths about him.

In artistic representations from the fifth century BCE and beyond, Odysseus is typically recognized by a pilos , a conical hat or skullcap often associated with sailors in ancient Greece. Scenes from his life always made for popular artistic subjects. [5]

In the standard account, first attested in the Homeric epics, Odysseus was the son of Laertes and Anticlea. Laertes was the king of Ithaca; in some traditions, he was one of the Argonauts who had sailed with Jason in his quest for the Golden Fleece. [6] Anticlea was the daughter of Autolycus, a talented thief and a son of Hermes. [7] As Anticlea’s son, Odysseus was thus the grandson of Hermes.

According to some traditions, however, Odysseus’ father was not Laertes but Sisyphus . As the story went, Sisyphus had seduced Anticlea before she married Laertes and was thus Odysseus’ true father. [8]

Odysseus had a sister named Ctimine. She married Eurylochus of Same, who fought with Odysseus in the Trojan War but died, along with the rest of Odysseus’ men, on the journey home. [9]

Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, was a Spartan princess. Together they had a son named Telemachus, born before Odysseus went off to fight in the Trojan War. [10] In some traditions, Odysseus and Penelope had other sons after he returned from the war, including Acusilaus [11] and Poliporthes or Ptoliporthes. [12]

Odysseus took many lovers during his travels, often fathering children by them. With the sorceress Circe, for example, Odysseus fathered Telegonus, who was later responsible for Odysseus’ death. [13] Most sources agree that Odysseus and Circe had other children, too, though they disagree on the exact number as well as their names. [14]

With Calypso , a daughter of the Titan Atlas , Odysseus fathered Nausithous and Nausinous. [15] In some sources, Calypso was also the mother of children usually assigned to Odysseus and Circe, including Auson [16] and Telegonus (or Teledonus). [17]

With Callidice, the queen of Thesprotia in northwestern Greece, Odysseus fathered Polypoetes. [18] This child went on to rule Thesprotia after his mother died and Odysseus returned to Ithaca.

With Euippe, a northern Greek princess, Odysseus fathered Euryalus. Unfortunately, the boy suffered a tragic fate: when Euryalus came to Ithaca in search of his father, Odysseus did not recognize him and killed him. [19]

Finally, with an unnamed daughter of the Aetolian Thoas, Odysseus had a son named Leontophonus. [20]

Though Odysseus became most famous for his role in the Trojan War and his subsequent wanderings, there is at least one important myth about his early life.

When Odysseus was just entering adulthood, he went to visit his maternal grandfather, Autolycus, on Mount Parnassus in northern Greece. One day, while hunting with his grandfather and uncles, his thigh was gored by a boar. Odysseus managed to kill the boar and escape, but the encounter gave him a scar on his thigh that he carried for the rest of his life (and which allowed some people to recognize him when he returned to Ithaca after his twenty-year absence). [21]

The Oath of Tyndareus and Marriage to Penelope

Some time afterwards, Odysseus was among the suitors who came to Sparta to seek Helen ’s hand in marriage. Helen’s beauty was so famous that all the most powerful Greek princes and heroes wanted to marry her. Odysseus was well aware that he, with his humble kingdom, did not stand a chance against his wealthier and more powerful rivals. In one version, he did not even bother to bring any gifts to accompany his suit, so sure was he that he could never win Helen. [22]

But Odysseus knew that Helen’s father, Tyndareus, was afraid that as soon as he chose one of the suitors for his daughter, the others would quarrel with the winner. Odysseus had a solution to this problem, which he offered to share with Tyndareus—in exchange for his help in winning the hand of Helen’s cousin Penelope.

Once Tyndareus agreed to the terms, Odysseus explained his solution to the suitor problem: Tyndareus should simply make all the suitors swear an oath that they would support Helen’s chosen husband against anybody who might attack him. After the suitors swore this oath—often called the “Oath of Tyndareus”—Helen was safely married to Menelaus. [23]

Odysseus Advises King Tyndareus Concerning Helen's Suitors by Howard Pyle (1905).

Tyndareus kept his word and helped Odysseus win Penelope. In some versions, Tyndareus simply made Icarius, Penelope’s father, marry his daughter to Odysseus. [24] But in other versions, Odysseus only won Penelope after he defeated her other suitors in a footrace. [25]

The Trojan War

Odysseus as recruit and recruiter.

In most accounts, Odysseus and Penelope were happy together. Before long they had a son, whom they named Telemachus. 

But their happiness was cut short when, back in Sparta, Helen ran off with the dashing Trojan prince Paris . Menelaus flew into a rage and resolved to stop at nothing to get her back. He therefore called on all of Helen’s former suitors to join him in attacking Troy: after all, by swearing the Oath of Tyndareus, the suitors had committed to support Helen’s marriage against any who violated it. They had no choice but to help Menelaus.

Since he had been one of Helen’s suitors, Odysseus was also required to join in the war effort. In one popular myth, he tried to avoid going to Troy by feigning madness; when the Greeks came to get him, he yoked a horse and a bull to a plow and started sowing his fields with salt. 

But one of the recruiters, Palamedes, did not buy Odysseus’ convenient bout of insanity. He proved that Odysseus was faking by placing the infant Telemachus in front of the plow; Odysseus swerved out of the way at the last moment. With his sanity confirmed, Odysseus was forced to join the Greeks in the Trojan War—but he continued to bear a fateful grudge against Palamedes. [26]

Perhaps somewhat hypocritically, Odysseus then went on to help Menelaus recruit other draft dodgers. The most important of these was Achilles : there had been a prophecy that without him, the Greeks would not be able to take Troy. But Achilles’ mother, Thetis , did not want the young man to fight in the Trojan War, for another prophecy had predicted that he would die there. Thus, she disguised Achilles as a girl and hid him among the daughters of Lycomedes, the king of the island of Skyros. [27]

Undeterred, Odysseus came up with a clever plan to draw Achilles out of hiding. He came to Skyros with gifts for Lycomedes and his daughters—mostly clothing and jewelry, but also a shield and spear. Next, Odysseus had his men outside fake an attack on the palace. While the girls panicked, Achilles threw off his disguise, grabbed the shield and spear, and prepared to fight. Once Achilles had revealed his identity in this way, Odysseus convinced him to join the Greeks in their war against Troy. [28]

Delegation to the Trojans

After several misadventures (which lasted as many as ten years, according to some sources), the Greeks finally reached Troy. Hoping that the Trojans would want to avoid a fight, the Greeks decided to send a delegation to demand that Helen be returned. The group was headed by Helen’s husband, Menelaus, and the crafty Odysseus.

This attempt at diplomacy did not go well. The Trojans refused to return Helen, and one of the Trojan elders even tried to have Menelaus and Odysseus assassinated. After making their escape, Menelaus and Odysseus reported the disappointing results to the rest of the Greeks. Thus began the Trojan War. [29]

Led by Menelaus’ older brother Agamemnon , the Greeks attacked Troy with everything they had. But Troy’s walls were virtually impregnable, and the Greeks soon realized that they needed to settle in for a long war.

Revenge on Palamedes

Meanwhile, Odysseus had not forgotten how Palamedes had put his son’s life in danger when he came to Ithaca to recruit him. Thus, early on in the Trojan War, Odysseus decided to take his revenge. 

There are different accounts of this episode. In one version, Odysseus framed Palamedes for treason. He hid Trojan gold in Palamedes’ tent and forged letters between Palamedes and the Trojan king Priam, in which Palamedes promised to betray the Greeks. This was evidence enough for the Greeks, who promptly put Palamedes to death. [30]

In another version, attested in a much later source, Odysseus and his friend Diomedes convinced Palamedes that there was treasure buried at the bottom of a well. When Palamedes descended the well to look, Odysseus and Diomedes hurled large stones on top of him and buried him alive. [31]

Odysseus in the Iliad

Odysseus was one of Agamemnon’s most trusted advisors during the Trojan War and is thus an important character in Homer’s Iliad , which takes place during a few eventful weeks in the ninth year of the war.

Throughout the Iliad , Odysseus distinguishes himself repeatedly as a keen diplomat and firm leader. One episode tells of how Agamemnon tried to test the mettle of the Greek army by telling them that they could go home, hoping that they would voluntarily choose to stay at Troy until they had sacked the city. Instead, the army took Agamemnon at his word and stampeded for the ships. It was Odysseus who prevented them from disbanding. [32]

This was not the only time Odysseus cleaned up (or tried to clean up) one of Agamemnon’s messes. After Agamemnon insulted Achilles, the greatest of the Greek warriors, and caused him to abandon the war, Odysseus went to Achilles to try and smooth things over. This time, however, Odysseus’ diplomacy failed, for Achilles refused to forgive Agamemnon. [33]

Later, with the Trojans gaining ground in Achilles’ absence, Odysseus and Diomedes went out on a nighttime spying mission to gather intelligence. They were able to capture a Trojan spy called Dolon, who told them where they could find fresh Trojan reinforcements, led by the Thracian king Rhesus. After killing Dolon, Odysseus and Diomedes snuck into Rhesus’ camp, killed him and his men, and stole his prize horses. [34]

Diomed and Ulysses Returning with the Spoils of Rhesus by John Flaxman (1895).

Homer’s Odysseus is also a brave and skilled fighter, even if he is not as impressive as other heroes like Achilles or Ajax . In one battle, it was only through Odysseus’ efforts that the Greeks were not completely routed by the Trojans. [35] During the funeral games for Patroclus, Odysseus proved his ability by wrestling Ajax to a draw and winning the footrace. [36]

After Achilles’ close friend Patroclus was killed in battle by the Trojan champion Hector , it was Odysseus who managed to temper Achilles’ rage. Achilles, devastated by the loss of his friend, wanted to attack the Trojans immediately. But the more level-headed Odysseus convinced him to let the Greeks eat something first. [37]

The Armor of Achilles

After Achilles was killed by the Trojan prince Paris, Odysseus and Ajax helped carry his body back to the Greek camp. Achilles received a lavish hero’s burial, after which it was decided that his precious armor, forged by the smith god Hephaestus himself, should go to the greatest surviving Greek hero .

Two men presented themselves as candidates for this title: the giant Ajax (sometimes called Ajax “the Greater,” to distinguish him from another Ajax of smaller stature who also fought at Troy, called Ajax “the Lesser”) and Odysseus. Though Ajax was the better warrior, Odysseus’ cunning and strategic ability was considered even more valuable. Odysseus was therefore awarded the armor.

Ajax, furious and humiliated, wanted to avenge his honor by murdering Odysseus. But Athena, Odysseus’ protector, caused Ajax to go mad and turn his sword against the livestock instead. When Ajax realized what he had done, he killed himself. [38]

Neoptolemus and Philoctetes

With the deaths of both Achilles and Ajax, the Greeks were down their two best warriors. According to a prophecy, if they had any hope of winning the Trojan War (which had already been raging for a decade), they needed the help of Achilles’ son Neoptolemus (also called Pyrrhus), who was being raised on the island of Skyros. Odysseus, who had once recruited Achilles on that very island, now returned there to bring Achilles’ son to Troy. [39]

Another prophecy revealed that the Greeks could not conquer Troy without the bow of Heracles (and, perhaps more importantly, the poisoned arrows that accompanied it). This great bow belonged to Philoctetes, who had joined the Greek army when the war broke out but who had been marooned on the island of Lemnos after receiving a foul-smelling injury.

Philoctetes Aiming the Bow of Hercules at Odysseus by Asmus Jakob Carstens (1790). Kupferstichkabinett Museum, Berlin, Germany.

Once again, it was Odysseus who went to fetch the warrior. Though Philoctetes at first refused to go with Odysseus (it had been Odysseus’ idea to maroon Philoctetes in the first place), he was eventually convinced. Once at Troy, his injury was cured and he used his famous bow to kill Paris. [40]

The Palladium

The Greeks soon learned of yet another prophecy concerning the course of the war: the city of Troy could not be conquered, it was said, as long as the Trojans held the Palladium—an ancient statue sacred to Athena—within their walls. 

Odysseus again came to the rescue, vowing to steal the Palladium. In some versions of the myth, he snuck into Troy by himself, disguised as a beggar, but in most versions he was assisted in some capacity by his usual accomplice, Diomedes. [41]

The Trojan Horse

After the Greeks had been at Troy for ten years, Odysseus made what was no doubt his most important contribution to the war effort: he found a way to win the war. 

His plan was relatively simple: the Greeks would build a hollow wooden horse in which several of their heroes would hide. They would then board their ships and sail away from Troy, leaving the horse on the beach. After the Trojans had taken it into the city, the men would sneak out of the horse and open the gates for the Greek army.

To ensure that the Trojans took the bait, the Greeks told one man, Sinon, to stay behind. Sinon pretended that he had been cast out by the Greeks and that the horse was an offering to Athena: the Trojans would do well, he said, to take it into their city. Though some doubted Sinon (especially Cassandra and the priest Laocoon), the Trojans ended up bringing the horse into Troy.

The Trojans Bring the Wooden Horse into Their City by Jean Mignon (1535–1555).

After the Trojans finished celebrating their “victory” and went to bed, the men in the horse opened a trap door, climbed out, and opened the city gates to the rest of the army, which had in the meantime sailed back to Troy. At last, the Greeks had found a way to get past Troy’s impregnable walls—by trickery. Once inside, they proceeded to sack and pillage the city that they had spent a decade fighting. [42]

The Return Journey: Odysseus in the Odyssey

Though Odysseus played an extremely important role in the Trojan War, he is even more famous for his later adventures. These are the subject of the second great Homeric epic, the Odyssey .

Ismarus and the Cicones

Soon after setting sail from Troy, Odysseus and his twelve ships put in at the town of Ismarus in Thrace. Though Odysseus’ men easily raided the city, they made the mistake of getting drunk afterwards. While their guard was down, they were attacked by the neighboring Cicones, who killed seventy-two of Odysseus’ men and forced the rest to retreat. [43]

The Lotus-Eaters

Odysseus’ ships were then blown off course by storms, which brought them to the land of the Lotus-eaters. After tasting the lotus fruit, Odysseus’ men fell into a blissful state and no longer cared about returning home. But their captain dragged them to the ships, strapped them down, and sailed away. [44]

The Cyclops

Odysseus’ next stop was the island of the Cyclopes, a race of giant one-eyed shepherds. One Cyclops, Polyphemus, managed to trap Odysseus and a few of his men in his cave and proceeded to eat them. In fact, he would have eaten them all had Odysseus not devised a plan to escape.

Statue of Odysseus offering wine to the Cyclops. 2nd century BCE Roman copy of Hellenistic original. Vatican Museums, Vatican.

First, Odysseus got Polyphemus drunk with some wine he happened to have on hand. When the Cyclops fell into a deep, drunken sleep, Odysseus and his remaining men blinded him with a sharpened stake. Polyphemus woke up screaming, but, because Odysseus had told him earlier that his name was “Nobody,” his cries did him little good: as he called for help, Polyphemus could only say that “Nobody” was hurting him, so his neighbors assumed he was ill or simply having a bad dream.

The next day, when the blinded Polyphemus opened his cave to pasture his sheep, Odysseus and his men were able to sneak away. But once they were safely in their ship, Odysseus could not resist the urge to taunt the Cyclops. As he and his men were sailing away, he cried out:

Cyclops, if any one of mortal men shall ask thee about the shameful blinding of thine eye, say that Odysseus, the sacker of cities, blinded it, even the son of Laertes, whose home is in Ithaca. [45]

Polyphemus heard Odysseus and cast a boulder at him, nearly sinking the ship. He then begged his father Poseidon to avenge him. This was how Odysseus incurred the hatred of Poseidon, who prevented him from reaching home for ten years. [46]

Odysseus and Polyphemus by Arnold Böcklin (1896). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Aeolus and the Winds

Odysseus then sailed to the island of Aeolus, the master of the winds. Aeolus took a liking to Odysseus and gave him a bag containing all of the winds except the West Wind. With the weather now in his favor, Odysseus would have a quick and easy journey home.

And indeed, Odysseus made it most of the way to Ithaca without incident. But while he was sleeping, his men opened the bag of winds, thinking Odysseus was hiding a treasure inside. The released winds quickly blew Odysseus all the way back to Aeolus. Realizing that Odysseus must have angered some god, Aeolus refused to help the hero a second time. [47]

More Misfortunes: The Laestrygonians and Circe

Things only got worse for Odysseus from here. First he came to the land of the cannibalistic Laestrygonians, who attacked his ships while they were in harbor and ate his men. Of Odysseus’ twelve ships, eleven were destroyed—along with all the men inside. Only Odysseus’ ship was able to get away. [48]

Odysseus, now with only one ship, next came to the island of the sorceress Circe, a daughter of the sun god Helios . Odysseus sent out a small party of men to explore, but only one of them, Odysseus’ brother-in-law Eurylochus, returned. Eurylochus revealed that, as he hid, the other men drank a potion that Circe gave them and were immediately transformed into pigs.

Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus by John William Waterhouse (1891). Gallery Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK.

With the help of Hermes, Odysseus was able to track down Circe and force her to change his men back. Impressed, Circe entertained Odysseus and his men for a long time, giving them a welcome break from their wanderings. Odysseus himself became Circe’s lover. [49]

The Underworld

Eventually, Odysseus decided that it was time to leave Circe and make another attempt to get home. When he asked Circe for directions, she told him that the only person who could help him was the prophet Tiresias . But since Tiresias was dead, the only way to speak to him would be to visit him in the Underworld.

Circe revealed how to get to the Underworld and what sacrifices Odysseus needed to make to appease the infernal gods. She also told him that when the shades of the dead approached him, he could speak with them by letting them drink from the sacrificial blood.

Odysseus did as Circe instructed and successfully entered the Underworld. When Tiresias appeared, he gave Odysseus clear instructions to avoid harming the cattle of Helios when he and his men put in on the island of Thrinacia. He also warned Odysseus that when he did reach Ithaca, he would find his palace overrun by suitors trying to marry his wife Penelope and claim his kingdom. 

Tiresias then revealed that Odysseus had offended Poseidon by blinding his son Polyphemus; thus, after returning to Ithaca, he would need to go on another journey to appease the powerful god:

do thou go forth, taking a shapely oar, until thou comest to men that know naught of the sea and eat not of food mingled with salt, aye, and they know naught of ships with purple cheeks, or of shapely oars that are as wings unto ships. And I will tell thee a sign right manifest, which will not escape thee. When another wayfarer, on meeting thee, shall say that thou hast a winnowing-fan on thy stout shoulder, then do thou fix in the earth thy shapely oar and make goodly offerings to lord Poseidon—a ram, and a bull, and a boar that mates with sows—and depart for thy home and offer sacred hecatombs to the immortal gods who hold broad heaven, to each one in due order. [50]

Tiresias concluded by prophesying Odysseus’ death: “And death shall come to thee thyself far from the sea, a death so gentle, that shall lay thee low when thou art overcome with sleek old age, and thy people shall dwell in prosperity around thee.” [51]

Odysseus Questions the Seer Tiresias by Alessandro Allori (1580). Palazzo Salviati, Florence, Italy.

After learning what he needed from Tiresias, Odysseus spoke to the shades of people he had known while they were alive, including Achilles, Agamemnon, and even his own mother, Anticlea, who had died waiting for her son to come home from Troy. He also saw many famous dead heroes ( Theseus , Heracles ) and villains suffering eternal punishment (Sisyphus, Tantalus ). [52]

Sea Monsters and Sacred Cows

Odysseus and his men then returned to Circe’s island, where they buried one of their companions, Elpenor, who had died while they were preparing to sail for the Underworld. 

When they set off again, Odysseus and his men first sailed by the Sirens , monsters who lured sailors to their death with their beautiful song. Odysseus stopped his men’s ears with wax so that they would not hear the fatal music. But Odysseus was determined to listen; thus, he had himself lashed to the mast so he could hear the song without diving to his death. [53]

Ulysses and the Sirens by Otto Greiner (19th century). Museum der Bildenden Künste, Leipzig, Germany.

Odysseus then passed between the many-headed monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis , two creatures who inhabited opposite sides of a narrow strait. Following Circe’s advice, Odysseus steered close to Scylla, knowing that while she would devour six of his men (one for each of her mouths), Charybdis would swallow the whole ship and all of his men with it. [54]

After passing these monsters, Odysseus reached the island of Thrinacia, which was sacred to the sun god Helios. Though Odysseus warned his men not to harm the cattle of Helios (as Tiresias had instructed), they ignored him and hunted down the sacred animals. Helios reported this crime to Zeus , who caused a storm to wreck Odysseus’ ship. Odysseus—who alone had not touched Helios’ cattle—was the sole survivor. [55]

Ogygia and Calypso

After losing his last ship and all of his crew, Odysseus was washed ashore on the island of Ogygia. There he was found by Calypso, the daughter of the Titan Atlas. Calypso made Odysseus her lover and forced him to remain with her for seven years.

Eventually, the gods remembered Odysseus, and Zeus sent Hermes to order Calypso to release the hero. [56] Calypso allowed Odysseus to build a raft, but not before offering to make him immortal if he stayed with her. Odysseus gently declined this offer:

I know full well of myself that wise Penelope is meaner to look upon than thou in comeliness and in stature, for she is a mortal, while thou art immortal and ageless. But even so I wish and long day by day to reach my home, and to see the day of my return. [57]

The Phaecians

Odysseus built a raft and set sail from Ogygia. But when Poseidon saw him, he sent up a great storm that wrecked the raft. It was only with the help of the sea goddess Leucothoe that Odysseus was able to avoid drowning. Clinging to a piece of timber, he floated on the sea for days until he washed ashore on Scheria, the island of the Phaecians. [58]

It was on Scheria that Odysseus’ luck finally took a turn for the better. He was discovered on the beach by the princess Nausicaa, who told him to come to the palace. There, Odysseus was welcomed by the kindly king Alcinous and his wife Arete. Odysseus eventually agreed to tell his story, after which the Phaecians gave him many beautiful gifts, put him on a ship, and took him to Ithaca. After twenty years, Odysseus had finally come home. [59]

The Suitors

Back in Ithaca, Odysseus discovered that, as Tiresias had warned, many suitors had come to his palace to try to marry his wife Penelope. To prevent them from recognizing and killing him, Athena disguised Odysseus as an old beggar. [60]

Odysseus first found his way to the house of Eumaeus, a swineherd and a loyal former servant. There he met his son, Telemachus, now a fully grown man. Overcome, Odysseus revealed his identity to Telemachus and Eumaeus and recruited them to help him defeat the suitors. [61]

Odysseus then went to the palace, still disguised as a beggar. The suitors, living off of the estate of the absent Odysseus, had made his palace their home. For a few days Odysseus played the role of the beggar, letting himself be mistreated by the suitors. [62] He was recognized only by his dog Argus, who died immediately after being reunited with his master, and by his old nurse Euryclea, who recognized him by the scar on his thigh. [63]

Odysseus did not reveal his identity to Penelope, but he did speak to her privately one night at the palace. During their interview, Penelope told Odysseus that she had been fending off the obnoxious suitors for years, but that she had decided to marry whichever one of them could string Odysseus’ old bow and shoot an arrow through twelve axe rings. [64]

The next day, Penelope announced the test of Odysseus’ bow. When none of the suitors were able to even string it (much less shoot an arrow through the rings), the “beggar” Odysseus asked to try. Of course, he easily accomplished the task. He then revealed his identity to the shocked suitors and—with the help of his son Telemachus, the swineherd Eumaeus, and the cowherd Philoetius—proceeded to slaughter them all. [65]

Illustration of Attic red figure skyphos from Tarquinia depicting Odysseus killing the suitors of Penelope (ca. 440 BCE).

After the massacre, Odysseus resolved to scour his home clean. He had the handmaids who had slept with the rowdy suitors clean up their bodies; once they had finished their task, he hanged them. [66]

Reunion with Penelope

Odysseus then revealed himself to Penelope. But Penelope, who had not seen her husband in twenty years, was hesitant to take him at his word.

Penelope decided to test Odysseus to make sure it was really him. She ordered the servants to bring out his bed so that he could sleep, but Odysseus immediately told her that this was impossible, for he had built the bed out of a living olive tree. Since only the real Odysseus could have known this fact, Penelope realized that her husband had finally come home. [67]

Laertes and the People of Ithaca

The next day, Odysseus went out to the country, where his aged father, Laertes, had his estate. Immediately after father and son were reunited, however, Odysseus learned that the people of Ithaca, wanting revenge for the deaths of the suitors, had taken up arms against him.

Odysseus and Laertes grabbed their weapons and prepared to fight the angry mob. But just then Athena appeared to persuade both sides to make peace with one another. [68]

Other Adventures and Death

Following his return to Ithaca, Odysseus was forced to set out on another journey: he still needed to appease Poseidon, who had been angry with him ever since he had blinded Polyphemus. 

Odysseus sailed to northern Greece and traveled deep inland with an oar on his shoulder, as Tiresias had instructed him to do. When he met somebody who mistook the oar for a winnowing fan, he planted it in the ground and sacrificed to Poseidon.

But Odysseus did not immediately go home. Instead, he stayed in the kingdom of the Thesprotians and even married the Thesprotian queen, Callidice. He then helped the Thesprotians fight a war against their neighbors. After Callidice died, Odysseus made their son, Polpoetes, king of Thesprotia and sailed back to Ithaca.

In the meantime, Telegonus, Odysseus’ son by Circe, had set sail in search of his father. When he arrived in Ithaca, he started raiding the countryside; in response, Odysseus went out to confront the violent stranger. Unfortunately, the father and son did not recognize each other, and Telegonus killed Odysseus with a spear whose tip had been poisoned with the barb of a stingray.

When Telegonus realized that he had killed his father, he was heartbroken. He buried and mourned Odysseus, then brought Penelope and Telemachus to his mother’s island of Aeaea. There, Telemachus married Circe, while Telegonus himself married Penelope. [69]

Other Versions

There were also other, lesser-known versions of the final adventures of Odysseus.

In some accounts, Penelope did not wait faithfully for Odysseus to return, as she did in the Odyssey . Instead, she took a god or one of the suitors (or even all of the suitors, in some versions) as her lover. When Odysseus came home and discovered this, he either banished Penelope, [70] killed her, [71] or left Ithaca to continue his wanderings. [72]

In other versions, Odysseus was exiled from Ithaca for killing the suitors and ended up sailing to Aetolia, the mainland region just opposite Ithaca. There, he married the daughter of a certain Thoas, settled down, and eventually died of old age. [73]

Interpretations

Odysseus is and always has been an ambivalent figure. In the Odyssey —the earliest surviving source to tell his myth—he is depicted relatively sympathetically. But even Homer’s Odysseus is more of an “antihero” than the straightforwardly heroic Achilles: he relies less on his physical prowess than on his intellect, and he does not hesitate to use trickery and deceit.

Compared to Homer, other sources were much more critical of Odysseus. The poet Pindar, for example, claimed that Homer had exaggerated how much Odysseus actually suffered, [74] while the philosopher Plato dismissed the hero as an unprincipled liar and trickster. [75]

Some Greek literature, especially tragedy, tended to highlight the darker sides of Odysseus’ character. In the Sack of Troy , an early Greek epic, Odysseus cruelly throws Hector’s young son Astyanax off the walls of Troy as the Greeks burn the city; [76] in Sophocles’ Philoctetes , he displays a cynical and self-serving personal philosophy; [77] and in Euripides’ Hecuba , he is coldly calculating in carrying out the sacrifice of Hecuba’s daughter Polyxena. [78]

Roman literature was even more unkind to Odysseus. While describing the fall of Troy in Book 2 of the Aeneid , Virgil depicts Odysseus as a cruel and impious villain. Seneca paints a similar portrait of Odysseus in his Trojan Women . [79] Ovid, characteristically, is less consistent: in Book 13 of the Metamorphoses , Odysseus comes across as an unscrupulous sophist, while Heroides 1, written from the perspective of Penelope, presents him in a more sympathetic light.

Odysseus was the subject of hero cult at several ancient Mediterranean sites, most of them associated with his mythology. These included Aetolia and Epirus (the area of his later travels), [80] Libya (where the Lotus-eaters were believed to have lived), [81] and Tarentum in southern Italy. [82] Dedications to Odysseus have also been discovered on his home island of Ithaca. Finally, the Spartans had a shrine dedicated to Odysseus, where they claimed to house the Palladium that he had once stolen from Troy. [83]

Pop Culture

As one of the most famous Greek heroes, Odysseus has had an enduring presence in modern pop culture.

In literature, he has appeared in or inspired numerous poems, epics, novels, and graphic novels, including Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses” (1842), James Joyce’s Ulysses (1918–1920), Nikos Kazantzakis’ The Odyssey: A Modern Sequel (1938), Eyvind Johnson’s Return to Ithaca (1946),  Eric Shanower’s Age of Bronze graphic novel series (1998–), Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad (2005), David Gemmell’s Troy trilogy (2005–2007), Glyn Iliffe’s Adventures of Odysseus series (2008–2017), and Margaret Miller’s The Song of Achilles (2011) and Circe (2018).

The myth of Odysseus has also been adapted many times for film and television, with various actors taking on the role. In film, these include Kirk Douglas in the Italian Ulysses (1955), John Drew Barrymore in The Trojan Horse (1961), and Sean Bean in Troy (2004). In television, Odysseus has been portrayed by John D’Aquino in Xena: Warrior Princess (1995–2001), Armand Assante in The Odyssey (1997), and Joseph Mawle in Troy: Fall of a City (2018). The 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou , starring George Clooney as Ulysses Everett McGill, is loosely based on the Odyssey .

Odysseus is also featured in other media, such as the song “Tales of Brave Ulysses” (1967) by the British band Cream and the video game Total War Saga: Troy (2020).

True to the ancient tradition, most modern adaptations of Odysseus present a highly ambivalent character, one who is devoted to his family and home but also driven by a thirst for adventure—or, in some cases, violence and greed. Hence the dilemma of Tennyson’s famous Ulysses, who finally reaches Ithaca after two decades of war and wandering only to find that he “cannot rest from travel.” [84]

Story of Odysseus: The Brilliant Hero of Greek Mythology

In Greek mythology, the name Odysseus is synonymous with bravery, cunning, and resilience. The epic story of Odysseus chronicled in Homer’s poem Odyssey , has captivated audiences for centuries. From his humble origins to his perilous adventures and triumphant return home, the life of Odysseus is a testament to the strength of the human will and the power of perseverance.

This blog post will delve into the origin, life, and death of the legendary hero Odysseus, shedding light on his remarkable exploits and the impact he left on Greek mythology.

Table of Contents

Beginning story of odysseus.

Odysseus was born on the island of Ithaca, nestled in the crystal waters of the Ionian Sea. He was the son of Laertes and Anticlea, both of noble lineage. From an early age, he displayed exceptional intelligence and a natural aptitude for leadership. It is said that even as a child, he would outsmart his playmates with clever tricks and riddles. These qualities would shape his destiny and set him on a path of extraordinary adventures. 

The Trojan War

One of the most significant events in Odysseus’ life was his participation in the Trojan War . As a skilled warrior and strategist, he played a vital role in the ten-year-long conflict. Odysseus is best remembered for devising the idea of the Trojan Horse, a wooden structure that allowed the Greek army to infiltrate the city of Troy and ultimately claim victory. His strategic brilliance and courage earned him the respect and admiration of his comrades.

The Journey Home (The Odyssey)

After the fall of Troy, Odysseus and his men embarked on an arduous journey back to Ithaca. This journey, known as the Odyssey, would last for ten long years and take him through numerous trials and tribulations. During his journey, Odysseus and his crew encounters various mythical creatures and has to overcome several challenges that tested his resolve and resourcefulness. 

• The Lotus Eaters: On his journey home, Odysseus and his men land on the island of the Lotus Eaters. Here, some of his men eat the intoxicating lotus fruit which causes them to lose all desire to return home. Odysseus forcibly retrieves them and continues their journey.
• The Cyclops Polyphemus: On another island, they encounter the Cyclops Polyphemus. The Cyclops traps them in his cave and eats several of Odysseus’s men. Odysseus blinds the Cyclops with a wooden stake and they escape while clinging to the undersides of the Cyclops’ sheep.
• The Island of Aeolus: Aeolus, the keeper of the winds presents Odysseus with a bag containing all of the winds, and he stirs up a westerly wind to guide Odysseus and his crew home. However, just as home is in sight, the men open the bag while Odysseus sleeps, thinking it contains gold. All of the winds fly out and they are swept back to Aeolus.
• Circe: On Circe’s island, Odysseus’s crew are turned into pigs after eating food laced with one of her magical potions. With the help of Hermes, Odysseus resists Circe’s magic and she agrees to change his men back to their human form.
• Song of the Sirens: Later in their journey, they have to sail past the Sirens whose enchanting song can lure sailors to their deaths. Odysseus fills the men’s ears with beeswax and has himself tied to the mast so he cannot steer the ship onto the rocks.
• Scylla and Charybdis: To return home they must navigating past Scylla (a six-headed sea monster) or Charybdis (a dangerous whirlpool), Odysseus choose to pass through Scylla because less dangerous, nevertheless he loses six men.
• The Cattle of Helios: Against advice not to, Odysseus’s crew slaughters and eats cattle sacred to sun god Helios. As punishment, Zeus sends a thunderbolt which destroys the ship and all the greek warriors except for Odysseus.

The Return to Ithaca

Eventually, after a decade of trials and tribulations, Odysseus finally returned to Ithaca. However, he found his kingdom in disarray. Suitors had overrun his palace, vying for the hand of his faithful wife, Penelope. Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus devised a plan to reclaim his throne and eliminate the suitors.

With the help of his son Telemachus, the goddess Athena and a few loyal allies, Odysseus executed his plan with precision and brutality. Odysseus revealed his true identity to the suitors and engaged in a battle that resulted in their defeat. Odysseus had triumphed once again, proving himself to be a true hero, reestablishing his reign and reuniting with his beloved Penelope.

The Death of Odysseus

After reclaiming his throne, Odysseus is said to have lived a peaceful and prosperous life in Ithaca. However, his fate took a tragic turn in his later years. According to some accounts, he met an untimely death at the hands of Telegonus, his son with Circe. Mistaking Ithaca for another island, Telegonus accidentally killed his father with a poisoned spear.

Story of Odysseus, the greek hero, continues to capture our imagination with his extraordinary journey. From his cunning tactics during the Trojan War to his tenacious struggle to return home in The Odyssey, Odysseus exemplifies the qualities of a true hero, demonstrated unwavering determination and unmatched intelligence. Though his life ended tragically, his legacy lives on as a symbol of courage, resourcefulness, and the indomitable human spirit.

Story of odysseus serves as a timeless reminder that even in the face of insurmountable odds, one can overcome adversity through courage, wit, and steadfastness.

The Trojan War: The Epic Conflict in the Ancient City of Troy

Greek Mythology: Exploring the captivating Ancient Tales and Their Modern Influence

Story of Medusa: a Tragic Snake-Haired Gorgon from Greek Mythology

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Documentation

• The Odyssey
• Literature Notes
• The Odyssey at a Glance
• Poem Summary
• About The Odyssey
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Books 13-14
• Books 15-16
• Character Analysis
• Athena (Pallas)
• Polyphemus (the Cyclops) and King Alcinous
• Circe and Calypso
• Character Map
• Homer Biography
• Critical Essays
• Major Themes in The Odyssey
• Major Symbols in The Odyssey
• Literary Devices of The Odyssey
• Famous Quotes from Homer's The Odyssey
• Film Versions of Homer's The Odyssey
• Full Glossary for The Odyssey
• Essay Questions
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Character Analysis Odysseus

Odysseus is a combination of the self-made, self-assured man and the embodiment of the standards and mores of his culture. He is favored by the gods and respected and admired by the mortals. Even the wrath of Poseidon does not keep him from his homecoming. He is confident that he represents virtue even when a modern audience might not be so sure. He is also a living series of contradictions, a much more complicated character than we would expect to find in the stereotypical epic hero. We can contrast Odysseus, for example, with the great warrior Achilles in The Iliad .

Achilles himself is not a two-dimensional stereotype. He has a tragic flaw, which can best be identified as hubris (an overbearing arrogance or misguided pride) as one of several distinguishing traits. But Achilles is a simpler character. According to the myth the Homeric Greeks would have known, Achilles was given a choice by the gods to live a short, glorious life full of excitement and heroism or a long, tranquil life with little recognition or fame. Achilles, of course, chose the glorious life; therefore, he achieves a kind of immortality through valor and intense, honest devotion to a cause.

Odysseus, in The Odyssey, is much more complicated. He lives by his wiles as well as his courage. He is an intellectual. Often he openly evaluates a situation, demonstrating the logic he employs in making his choices. When it proves effective, Odysseus lies (even to his own family), cheats, or steals in ways that we would not expect in an epic hero. Although he is self-disciplined (refusing to eat the lotus), his curiosity is sometimes the root of his trouble (as with the Cyclops).

He is willing to pay a price for knowledge; for example, he insists on hearing the Sirens' call, even though to do so, he must have himself excruciatingly strapped to the mast of his ship so that he cannot give in to the temptation. Odysseus can be merciful, as when he spares the bard Phemius, or brutal, as he seems when dealing with the dozen disloyal maidservants. He creates his own code of conduct through his adventures. He is deeper than Achilles, more contemplative, but still capable of explosive violence; he is almost certainly more interesting. It is easy to see why some critics like to call him the first "modern man."

Victory motivates Odysseus. He wants to return home and live well in Ithaca; as a result, every step along the way is another test, sometimes, another battle. His concern with victory is also cultural, as well as practical. In Homer's world, where there are no police or justice systems, might usually makes right. The strong prevail. Odysseus often has only two choices: death or victory. Even when Athena intervenes on his behalf, she often leaves ultimate success or failure up to Odysseus. During the battle with the suitors, for example, she could easily and quickly prevail; but she makes Odysseus earn the victory.

Appropriately, Odysseus' development as a character is complicated. He is, in every way, "the man of twists and turns" (1.1). While he does seem to grow throughout his wanderings, the reader should not look at each event as a one more learning experience for the hero. The Odyssey is not a lesson plan for growth; the episodes are not didactic examples of the importance of prudence or anything else.

When Odysseus left for Troy, he had already established his reputation as a hero. His participation in the war was crucial to the Greeks' victory. It was he who disguised himself as an old beggar and infiltrated the enemy. As Menelaus tells Telemachus in Book 4, it was Odysseus' legendary ruse of the Trojan horse that led to the defeat of Troy.

Certainly Odysseus does grow in wisdom and judgment throughout his ventures. His self-control while dealing with the suitors' insults is exemplary and contrasts, for example, with his earlier irresistible urge to announce his name to the Cyclops in Book 9. In other ways, however, he seems slow to learn. The most notable example being his difficulty in controlling his men. After the victory over the Cicones, Odysseus wisely wants to take the plunder and depart quickly (9.50). His men prefer to stay, leading to a defeat at the hands of reinforcements. When Aeolus grants the Greeks fair winds to Ithaca, Odysseus falls asleep within sight of home, enabling his suspicious, undisciplined crew to open the bag of ill winds and let loose a tempest that blows them off course. Again, on the island of the Sungod Helios, Odysseus' men disobey strict orders and feast on the sacred cattle when he goes inland to pray and falls asleep. The struggles Odysseus faces make his growth as a character more realistic and more credible because it is not simple or absolute.

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Greek Gods & Goddesses

The legendary Greek king of Ithaca 

In Greek mythology , Odysseus is the great-grandson of Hermes , one of the twelve Olympian Gods. He is the son of Laertes, the king of Ithaca, and Anticlea and the husband of Penelope and father of a child named Telemachus.

Known for his leadership skills, wit, and intelligence, Odysseus is most famous for his ten-year journey had after the Trojan War. It’s during this time he was involved in a series of adventures and faced many obstacles as he struggled to return home to his wife and son.

Odysseus’ journey is told in the story “The Odyssey,” a classic story written by the ancient Greek bard Homer. The rest of Odysseus’ life beyond what’s told in this tale of his struggles to return back home after the Trojan War is based on accounts from various sources. Although many details are fairly consistent.

Childhood and Early Life

Odysseus was born on isle of Ithaca. During his childhood, he displayed impressive athletic abilities. He enjoyed archery and did very well at it. Young Odysseus also liked to hunt with his dog, Argos, often going along with him. He is not a god, but he does have a connection with the gods on his mother’s side of the family.

While on one hunting trip, Odysseus was gored by a wild boar, an incident that left a scar. It soon became evident during his early that Odysseus possessed certain unique abilities and talents, including an ability to solve problems and outwit opponents.

Odysseus was also known for his speaking abilities. It was often said that once he spoke, no one could resist him. It was his intelligence that attracted the attention of Athena , a goddess who would become Odysseus’ protector during the Trojan War and later during his attempts to return home. She would prove to be a trusted source of advice and guidance.

Early Adult Years

Before he married Penelope, Odysseus tried to attract the attention of Helen of Troy , making him one of her many suitors. It was when he was trying to attract the attention of Helen of Troy, who wasn’t interested enough to choose him, that he met her cousin, a woman named Penelope. She would prove to be just as clever and intelligent as he was known to be, a fact that made the two a perfect match for one another.

Odysseus made a deal with Helen’s father (King Tyndareus) that he would find a way to prevent Helen’s suitors from battling each other and would vow to defend the chosen suitor against anyone who would wrong him or attempt to do him harm (Oath of Tyndareus) if he would help him win over Penelope. King Tyndareus agreed. Odysseus won approval from Penelope’s father, Icarius of Lacedaemon, by defeating him a foot race. Helen married a man named Menelaus and Odysseus married Penelope.

Odysseus became ruler of a group of people who lived on islands not far from the northwest coast of Greece. These people were called the Cephallenians. He lived with Penelope in a palace on the island of Ithaca that he built himself. Even so, Odysseus was not considered a rich man. Him and his wife had a child named Telemachus. Soon after his birth, Helen eloped with Paris, which is what ultimately led to the Trojan War.

During the Trojan War

Helen’s husband, Menelaus, invoked the Oath of Tyndareus when his wife was abducted by Paris, who had been one of the suitors who lost out to him. Not wanting to leave his wife and young son, Odysseus pretended to be insane and unfit to help Menelaus.

However, when Palamedes of Euboia came to get Odysseus, he was suspicious and doubted that Odysseus was truly insane. So, he placed Odysseus’ young son in front of a plow as a test to see if the boy’s father had really gone mad. When Odysseus swerved to avoid hitting his son, it became clear he was faking. Odysseus was then drawn into the Trojan War.

Odysseus fought in the Trojan War with Achilles. While Odysseus admired Achilles’ skills as a gallant warrior, the two men did now like each other. They had an ongoing dispute over what mattered the most, brains or brawn (strength).

None-the-less, it was Odysseus who was able to convince Achilles, considered one of the best of the Greek fighters of his time, to leave his wife and children to fight in the war. The dispute between Odysseus and Achilles came to an end when the gallant warrior was fatally injured in his one weak spot, his heel. After Achilles died, Odysseus competed to win his weapons and other arms.

It was predicted that the battle for Troy would not be won until the bow and arrows of Hercules could be obtained. These items were located on an island called Lemnos. Odysseus and a friend named Diomedes who was fighting in the war with him sailed to the island. They convinced the possessor of the bow and arrows, Philoctetes , to come back with them.

The battle continued for many years. At one point, it looked as if the Greeks were going to lose. In fact, they pretended to sail away in defeat and left a wooden horse was left behind. However, it was a trick. The large wooden horse was taken into the city as a victory trophy for having “defeated” the Greeks. Once the gates to the city were opened to allow the grand gift inside, Odysseus and the other warriors came out from the inside of the wooden horse.

The war was over and Odysseus began his journey back home. In some stories, it’s claimed that Odysseus is the one who came up with the idea of using the Trojan Horse as a hiding place. As a result of this trick, the Spartans were defeated and the Greeks were victorious in recapturing the City of Troy.

Journey Back Home

The Gods were reportedly angry over the fact that the Greeks used trickery and deceit to win the war rather than win in a “fair” fight. Because of this, they vowed to make it difficult for Odysseus and his men to return home. It was the goddess Athena who intervened to help Odysseus get back home.

During his journey home, Odysseus faced many obstacles. While on the island of Kikones, his first stop, he was given twelve flasks of wine by Apollo . When he set sail again, Odysseus and his men encountered a fierce storm.

Odysseus and his crew were eventually carried to the shores of an island inhabited by a race of people who ate lotus plants that grew on the island, referred to as the Lotus Eaters. When noticing that his men soon lost all desire to return home after eating the plants, Odysseus realized it had something to do with the plants and forced them back on the ship.

Odysseus and his men then made their way to an island called Cyclopes, inhabited by one-eyed giants. While most of them were peaceful, one of them was a man-eating Cyclops named Polyphemos . He also happened to be the son of the god of the sea , Poseidon.

Odysseus was able to tempt the man-eater with enough wine to get him drunk. He then had his men turn Polyphemos’ staff into a spike. He used it to blind him so he could escape from the island. Polyphemos asked his father to help him get back at Odysseus. According to some accounts, this is really the action that caused Odysseus’ delay in getting home rather than an act of the gods related to how the Trojan War was fought or the trick with the wooden horse.

In later adventures, Odysseus was given a flask that contained all of the winds of the world, except the one he needed to get back home. At one point, Odysseus and his men were almost home until one of his crewmen opened the flask and unleashed the winds. The ship was then blown backwards and Odysseus would have to resume his voyage home.

The determined voyager and his crew members would encounter giants who pelted them with rocks, which resulted in the loss of many of Odysseus’ men. The journey back home also involved a meeting with a sorceress named Circe who turned some of Odysseus’ men into swine. Odysseus was able to use a gift from Hermes that made him immune to sorceress’ spells.

While not initially fond of each other, Odysseus and Circe became lovers and enjoyed a year together. After this period of time, Odysseus decided to continue on his journey home. Surprisingly, Circe not only let him go without putting up a fight or attempting trickery, but she offered him some advice.

She suggested that Odysseus seek guidance from a seer in the underworld who would be able to give him directions to get home. While going to the underworld, Odysseus met his own mother and several fallen heroes, including Achilles .

Odysseus was warned by Circe to stay away from the Sirens . They are seductive creatures with heads that made them appear to be women. He had his men place wax in their ears so they wouldn’t be drawn in by their singing. And Odysseus was tied to the ship so he could enjoy their singing without falling under their control.

The Greek hero would face more rough seas and lose several more men. Odysseus and his men found refuge on an island with herds tended by Helios , the son of the Titan Hyperion , one of the twelve Titan children who played a role in overthrowing Uranus , the god who represented the sky.

Odysseus was warned not to touch his herd of animals. However, his men were hungry and ate some of the animals. An angry Helios caused Odysseus’ ship to capsize. All of Odysseus’ men perished, leaving him as the only survivor.

After drifting at sea for several days, Odysseus washed up on the shores of an island called Ogygia. It was here that he met the nymph Calypso . He became enchanted with her and spent seven years in her capture. The two appeared to live a happy life together during those years.

During their time together, Calypso would have a son by Odysseus named Nausithous. She grew fond of Odysseus and tried to convince him to stay with her forever. She tried to convince him to stay by promising him some appealing perks, including the gifts of eternal youth and immortality.

Despite the tempting offers, Odysseus made the decision to continue his attempt to find his way back home. Athena once again intervenes on behalf of Odysseus and asks Zeus to free him of Calypso’s spell. After the intervention from Zeus, she set Odysseus free and gives him wine and food and materials for a raft. Odysseus then resumed his quest to return to his wife and son in Ithaca.

Poseidon , still angry over the blinding of his son by Odysseus, once again creates a fierce storm. It’s so powerful that it rocks his raft and eventually causes it to break apart. A battered and bruised Odysseus washes up on the shores of the island of Scheria.

Odysseus soon discovers that the island is home to the Phaeacians. He finds himself being cared for by the daughter of the island’s king, Nausikaa. He first appears to King Alcinous, her father and the king of the island, as a beggar in an attempt to win his favor and receive sympathy and a helping hand getting back home.

He soon reveals himself to be Odysseus. The king likes Odysseus and wants to see him get back home to his wife and son. He agrees to help him get home. Odysseus is given a magic ship that can sail itself since he no longer has a crew. He is finally able to make it all the way home without any further obstacles or unexpected stops on islands.

Return Home

After being away from home for a decade, Odysseus was little more than a distant memory for many people there, especially since he was involved with the Battle of. Yet his wife had remained faithful. Many on Ithaca assumed Odysseus had died either during the war or at sea when attempted to return home. Penelope used her wit to keep the potential suitors away.

The suitors had grown frustrated with Penelope’s efforts to put off making a decision about who she would marry and came up with a plan to kill her son. Before making himself known to his wife, Odysseus disguised himself as a beggar, an idea given to him by Athena.

Athena once again intervenes and advises Odysseus to disguise himself as a beggar in order to help his wife fight off the suitors and protect his son. Once disguised as a beggar, Odysseus visits the palace to see what has been going on since he’s been gone and to determine how to best rid his wife of those unwanted suitors.

However, Odysseus’ former childhood nurse, Eurycleia, recognizes him by the scar on his thigh from where he was attacked by a boar was a child. His dog, Argos, also recognizes him. Unfortunately, Argos soon dies after Odysseus returns home.

Odysseus reveals himself to his son, Telemachus. He promises to keep his father’s secret until the situation with the suitors is resolved. Still thinking him to be nothing more than a beggar, the suitors make fun of Odysseus and have several laughs at his expense.

Penelope comes up with the idea of holding a contest to determine which of the suitors she will marry. She declares that she will marry the first man who is able to string the bow of the bow and arrows that belonged to the king.

One by one, the suitors attempt to string the bow. Each one fails. Finally, the beggar asks to be given a chance to attempt to string the bow. The suitors laugh and tell him to give it a try, thinking he’ll easily fail and they’ll et a good laugh out of watching him.

“The Beggar” quickly strung the bow, much to the surprise of Penelope and the suitors. He then revealed his true identity. The suitors soon discovered that Telemachus had removed all weapons from the wall in advance of the efforts with the bow and arrow. Odysseus then used the remaining arrows to take care of the suitors and resume his rightful position with his wife.

Final Years

There are two different accounts of the final years of Odysseus’ remaining years of life. According to one account of the rest of the Greek hero’s life, Odysseus lived quietly and happily with his wife for many years after returning home, surviving until a ripe old age and died peacefully.

There is another story of Odysseus’ final years that has a tragic twist. In a battle that took place on the island of Ithaca, an older Odysseus was killed by Telegonos, the son he had with Circe. Ironically, Telegonos was unaware that the man he had killed was really his father.

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OUR ODYSSEUS

A comprehensive guide to Homer's Odyssey

Main characters:, original prose by melvin gordils.

Courageous, crafty, cunning and charismatic. Survivor of a tragic journey

that almost saw his life lost at the cost of a cyclops father. The God of waters

who wields a trident spent many a year steering this wise warrior towards

peril and strife. A road rife with danger at every turn. To earn his way back

to the land which held his heart this smart man remained undaunted and

flaunted his eloquence and legendary prowess at every venture. Each new

acquaintance providing maintenance for this weary worn down king. The

prototype for heroes as we know it. 

Penelope 

Weaving a delicate web of honest deceit with no intent to complete it.

This mother and wife cursed with the life of a single parent. Sought after

by cowards hungry for power and filled with lust. The trust this woman

held for the return of her husband wasn’t to be questioned. Brilliant in her

charade as suitors paraded her palace with malice intent. Men bent on

entering her chambers angering her son and sealing their fate. She

believed firmly their fate would meet the blade of the brave and fierce

father of her son. In her heart she knew that the man she loved and held

above all others would free this mother from her prison of despair.

The poor prince who was convinced he was fatherless. A bastard after the trojan war tore his father from the family. Living in a constant struggle troubled by suitors relentlessly pursuing his mother. A boy on the verge of manhood fighting to stake his claim in the shadow of his fathers name. Son of a legend who questioned if he was destined to live in shame. Until a goddess rained blessings upon him. Instilling hope a metaphorical rope to pull him from the bottomless pit of bottom feeders scavenging his birthright. He set sail in search of tales to tell him that his father has prevailed against all odds. With a goddess giving inspiration the only destination to expect is success.

Supporting Characters:

Alcinous  (al-sih-noh-uhs).

The king of the Phaeacians. He entertains Odysseus after the hero has been washed ashore. King Alcinous is moved by Odysseus and gives him gifts and returns him to Ithaca in a Phaeacian ship. 

Antinous  (an-TIH-noh-uhs)

The leader of the suitors. He mocks Telemachus, insults Penelope, and insults Odysseus disguised as a beggar. Because of his arrogance, he is the first of the suitors to die.

Calypso  (kuh-LIHP-soh)

The divine nymph who lives on the island of Ogygia, where Odysseus is washed ashore after his ship.For seven years, he lives with her until Zeus sends Hermes to her with the message that Odysseus is to be released to return to his own land. Although she wishes him to stay with her and offers him immortality and youth in return, she yields to Odysseus’ wishes to return to Ithaca and the divine command of Zeus. She teaches Odysseus how to build a raft and allows him to set sail before a favorable breeze.

Circe  (SUR-see)

An enchantress, the daughter of Helius and Perse. Arriving at Aeaea, Odysseus sends Eurylochus, his lieutenant, and twenty-two men ashore to explore the island. When they arrive at Circe’s palace, she invites them to feast with her. She serves the men drugged food and then transforms them into swine. Odysseus, on his way to rescue his companions, encounters the god Hermes, who gives him a flower called moly as a charm against the powers of the enchantress. Her power destroyed by the magic herb, Circe frees her captives from her magic spell and entertains Odysseus and his companions for a year. At the end of that time, Odysseus wishes to leave Circe’s bed and continue his journey. Though reluctant, she consents to his going, but first she advises him to consult the shade of Tiresias to learn what the future holds for the wanderers. She sends him on his "crucial encounter" along the hero's journey.

Elpenor  (ehl-PEE-nohr)

One of Odysseus’ companions whom Circe transformed into swine and then restored to human form. He climbs on the roof of her palace and falls to his death. Appearing among the shades in the land of the Dead he begs Odysseus to give him proper burial.

Eumaeus  (ew-MEE-uhs)

The loyal shepherd who takes in Odysseus, who is disguised as a beggar. Though of lowly occupation, he is of noble birth, and he is both slave and devoted friend to Odysseus. Despising the suitors, he fights bravely against them alongside Odysseus, Telemachus, and Philoetius, and helps Odysseus reclaim his throne. Odysseus later promises both Philoetius and Eumaeus freedom and power for being faithful to him when he returned to Ithaca.

Eurymachus  (ew-RIH-muh-kuhs)

Considered to be the most treacherous of the suitors because he is known for being devious and not trustworthy. He even fooled Penelope into thinking him true at heart even though he really was arranging to kill Telemachus. His plan fails and he is later killed by Odysseus. 

Laertes  (lay-UR-teez)

The aged father of Odysseus.

Melanthius  (meh-LAN-thee-uhs)

The treacherous goatherd who taunts disguised Odysseus and later tries to aid the suitors. On orders from Odysseus, he is hanged by Eumaeus and Philoetius.

Nausicaä  (no-SIH-kee-uh)

The maiden daughter of King Alcinous and Queen Arete. Her name, in Greek, means "burner of ships." Finding Odysseus on the seashore, where he sleeps exhausted from fighting buffeting waves after Poseidon destroyed his raft, she befriends the hero and conducts him to her father’s palace. There, Odysseus tells the story of his adventures and hardships to an admiring and pitying audience. Moved by the wanderer’s plight, King Alcinous gives him rich gifts and returns him to Ithaca in a Phaeacian ship.

Nestor  (NEHS-tur)

The wise king of Pylos. Telemachus, seeking to rid the royal palace of his mother’s insolent suitors, journeys to Nestor’s country in search of his father Odysseus.

Noëmon  (noh-EE-muhn)

One of the most generous and least offensive of the suitors. He lends Telemachus his own ship in which to sail to Pylos to find out about Odysseus.

Peiraeus  (pi-REE-uhs)

The loyal, trustworthy, and gallant friend of Telemachus. He goes with the son of Odysseus to Pylos.

Peisistratus  (pi-SIHS-truh-tuhs)

The noble youngest son of King Nestor. A skilled charioteer, he accompanies Telemachus when the son of Odysseus travels to Sparta in an effort to get word of his father from King Menelaus and Helen, his queen.

Philoetius  (fih-LEE-tee-uhs)

The cowhead and servant of Odysseus’ home who is considered one of the subjects that remained loyal to Odysseus. He is forced to provide cattle for the feasts of the suitors, but resents them and sees them as intruders. He and Eumaeus help Odysseus in locking the suitors in Odysseus' home and stealing their weapons so they could not fight back. In the fight when the suitors are killed he joins Odysseus and kills Peisander. Odysseus later promises both Philoetius and Eumaeus freedom and power for being faithful to him when he returned to Ithaca.

Polyphemus  (po-lih-FEE-muhs)

One of the Cyclopes, giants with one eye in the center of the forehead, and the son of Poseidon. When Odysseus and twelve of his companions seek hospitality in his cave, the monster makes prisoners of the band and eats six of them. Wily Odysseus saves himself and his remaining companions by giving Polyphemus some of Maro’s strong wine to drink and then, while the Cyclops is asleep, putting out his eye with a heated, pointed shaft. The Greeks escape from the cave by hiding beneath the bodies of Polyphemus’ sheep when the giant turns his flock out to pasture.

Tiresias  (ti-REE-see-uhs)

The prophet of Thebes. In the land of the Dead, acting on the advice of Circe, Odysseus summons the aged seer’s shade from the dead. Tiresias tells him not to harm the sacred cattle of Hyperion; otherwise, Odysseus will encounter many difficulties and delays on his homeward journey, he will find trouble in the royal house when he arrives there, he will be forced to make a journey into a land so far from the sea that its people will mistake an oar for a winnowing fan, he will be forced to make a rich sacrifice to Poseidon in that distant land, and in his old age he will meet death coming to him out of the sea.

CHARACTER GUIDE

"Character List." Fagles, R.,ed. The Odyssey 17 Feb. 2015.

Original prose poetry for Odysseus, Penelope and Telemachus by Melvin Gordils

The Odyssey

Ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

The story begins twenty years after Odysseus left to fight in the Trojan War, and ten years after he began his journey home to Ithaca. We enter the story in medias res – in the middle of things: Odysseus is trapped on an island with the lovesick goddess Calypso , while his wife and son suffer the transgressions of the suitors, noble young men who vie for queen Penelope 's hand. The loyal queen has rebuffed their advances for many years, because she holds out hope that Odysseus may one day return. In the meantime the suitors have run free in the household, holding noisy parties and draining the resources of the estate.

The goddess Athena decides to intervene on Odysseus's behalf. She convinces Zeus to send the messenger god Hermes to disentangle Odysseus from Calypso's grasp, and she herself flies to Ithaca to give courage and guidance to the helpless young prince Telemachus . She inspires Telemachus to set sail to Pylos and Sparta in search of news about Odysseus; his newfound confidence and familial feeling alarms the suitors, who plot to murder him on his way home. King Nestor of Pylos can't give Telemachus any information about Odysseus, but King Menelaus of Sparta reports that he learned from the sea god Proteus that Odysseus is alive on the island Ogygia.

Meanwhile, Hermes flies to Ogygia and tells Calypso to let Odysseus go. Odysseus departs, and sails for seventeen days until he sees the Phaeacian shore; after some difficulties, he reaches land and falls asleep. The next morning, the Phaeacian princess Nausicaa finds him on the beach in a pitiable state. She gives him food and clothes and offers to introduce him to her parents, the king and queen – but she asks that he enter the city at a distance from her, to ward off uncharitable gossip.

After he spends some time at court, he tells Alcinous and Arete the full story of his travels. He describes the Cicones , who punished Odysseus's men for recklessness and greed, and the Lotus Eaters , whose flowers sent his men into a happy stupor. He tells the king and queen how he blinded the Cyclops Polyphemus , who called on his father Poseidon to avenge him. He tells them about Aeolus 's bag of winds and about the cannibal Laestrygonians , the witch Circe that turned his men into pigs, the journey to the kingdom of the dead, the alluring Sirens and the monsters Scylla and Charybdis . With each trial, the crew's death toll rose, and Odysseus's ingenuity grew more desperate. Finally, the men anchored on the Island of the Sun. The prophet Tiresias warned Odysseus to keep his crew from harming the Sun God's cattle, but the men killed a few animals when Odysseus was asleep. When they were once again at sea, Zeus sent down a punitive bolt of lightning that killed every man except Odysseus, who floated on a makeshift raft to Calypso's island, where he lived in captivity for seven years.

Here Odysseus finishes his story. The next day, Alcinous sends him home in a Phaeacian ship loaded with treasure. Athena apprises him of the dire situation in his household, warns him of the suffering still to come, and disguises him as a ragged beggar. She sends him to the farm of the loyal swineherd Eumaeus ; she also advises Telemachus to hurry home from Sparta. Father and son reunite and plot their revenge against the suitors.

The next day, Eumaeus and Odysseus come to court. The king's old dog Argos recognizes him despite his changed appearance, and the nurse Eurycleia recognizes him by the familiar hunting scar on his knee. Penelope is friendly to him but does not yet guess his real identity. Some of the suitors mock and abuse Odysseus in his disguise, but the king exercises great self-restraint and does not respond in kind. Finally, the despairing queen announces that she will hold an archery contest: she will marry the man that can use Odysseus's bow to shoot an arrow through a row of axes. But none of the suitors can even string Odysseus's bow, let alone shoot it.

Odysseus, of course, shoots the arrow with grace and ease. Just then the slaughter begins. With the help of Athena, the swineherd, and the cowherd, Odysseus and Telemachus murder the suitors one by one; they also kill the disloyal maids and servants. Soon enough, Odysseus reunites with Penelope. The suitors' families gather to avenge the murders, but Zeus orders them to stand down. Odysseus must leave for a brief journey to appease Poseidon, who still holds a grudge. Nevertheless, Ithaca is once again at peace.

• Old World Gods

Greek Mythology Odysseus: The Epic Journey of the Brave Hero

In Greek mythology , Odysseus, also known as Ulisses, is a prominent character and the hero of Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey. He was the king of Ithaca, known for his bravery, intelligence, and leadership.

Odysseus played a crucial role in the Trojan War and embarked on a journey filled with trials and adventures. Upon his return to Ithaca, he faced challenges at home but ultimately reclaimed his kingdom.

Odysseus’ story has become synonymous with epic journeys and courage.

The journey of Odysseus is filled with encounters with mythical creatures and tests of his strength and wit. From his confrontation with the Cyclops Polyphemus to navigating the treacherous Scylla and Charybdis , Odysseus overcame countless perils.

Back in Ithaca, he had to confront the suitors who invaded his home and prove his rightful place as the ruler. With the help of his son and the goddess Athena , Odysseus emerged victorious.

Sources and References: Various Greek texts, including Homer’s Odyssey, and scholarly books on Greek mythology .

Content of this Article

The Story of Odysseus in Greek Mythology

The story of Odysseus, the brave hero of the Trojan War, is a tale filled with adventure, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit. From his valiant efforts in battle to his enduring love for his wife Penelope, Odysseus is a captivating figure in Greek mythology .

Let’s explore the different aspects of his story:

Odysseus: The Brave Hero of the Trojan War

Odysseus, also known as Ulisses, was renowned for his leadership, bravery, and tactical genius in the Trojan War. His clever strategies, such as the iconic wooden horse, played a pivotal role in the Greek victory over the Trojans.

Odysseus’s unwavering determination and unwavering loyalty to his comrades made him a true hero.

Odysseus’ Wife: Penelope’s Faithful Love

Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, exemplifies faithful love and resilience. During her husband’s long absence, she cleverly avoided the persistent suitors who sought her hand in marriage. Penelope’s undying loyalty to Odysseus and her unwavering hope of his return make her a symbol of devotion and steadfastness.

Odysseus and Circe : The Enchanting Sorceress

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Odysseus’s encounter with the sorceress Circe is a fascinating part of his journey. Circe , with her magical powers, lured Odysseus and his men to her island. However, Odysseus’s wit and cunning allowed him to outsmart Circe and secure his crew’s release from her enchantments.

This encounter highlights Odysseus’s ability to navigate treacherous situations using his intelligence.

Odysseus’ Son: Telémachus’ Journey to Manhood

Telémachus, Odysseus’s son, embarked on a transformative journey to seek information about his father’s fate. With the guidance of Athena , the goddess of wisdom, Telémachus traveled from island to island, encountering various challenges and learning important lessons.

His courageous pursuit of the truth showcases his growth from a young man to a capable and determined individual.

Throughout the story of Odysseus, his strength, intellect, and perseverance shine as he faces formidable obstacles and longs for his homeland.

The tale of his odyssey continues to captivate audiences, offering a timeless exploration of heroism and the human spirit.

The Journey of Odysseus

The Journey of Odysseus is a legendary tale filled with trials, adventures, and notable encounters. Throughout his arduous journey, Odysseus faced numerous struggles and triumphed over them with his wits and courage.

Trials and Adventures: Odysseus’ Struggles and Triumphs

Odysseus encountered a series of trials and adventures on his way back to Ithaca. From facing the seductive Lotus-Eaters to the perilous challenges posed by the Cyclops Polyphemus , each obstacle tested Odysseus’ resolve and resourcefulness.

His ability to outwit and strategize against formidable foes allowed him to overcome these challenges and continue his journey homeward.

Encounter with the Lotus-Eaters and Other Perils

One of the notable encounters in Odysseus’ journey was with the Lotus-Eaters, a group that tempted his crew with their addictive fruit, causing them to forget their mission. With his determination, Odysseus managed to rescue his men and move on to face other perils, such as the temptations of the enchantress Circe and the treacherous Sirens . Through his cleverness and steadfastness, Odysseus navigated through these dangers and forged ahead on his quest.

Confrontation with the Cyclops Polyphemus

One of the most famous episodes in Odysseus’ journey was his confrontation with Polyphemus , the Cyclops . In order to escape the clutches of the one-eyed giant, Odysseus devised a cunning plan.

By blinding Polyphemus , he managed to free himself and his companions, leaving the enraged monster helplessly searching for revenge. This triumph showcased Odysseus’ strategic thinking and bravery in the face of immense danger.

Navigating Scylla and Charybdis

As Odysseus sailed through treacherous waters, he encountered the dual perils of Scylla , a six-headed monster, and Charybdis, a deadly whirlpool. He had to make a difficult choice between risking the lives of his crew by sailing closer to Scylla or facing the threat of being devoured by Charybdis’ whirlpool.

Despite the inevitable loss, Odysseus made the strategic decision to navigate through Scylla ’s path, prioritizing the safety of his men. This moment exemplified his leadership and sacrifice for the greater good.

Odysseus’ journey was a test of his character and resilience. Each trial and encounter showcased his ability to navigate through adversity using his intelligence, bravery, and determination. The fascinating and epic tale of Odysseus’ journey continues to captivate audiences even in the present day, as his story remains an enduring symbol of heroic perseverance.

Return to Ithaca

After nearly a decade of trials and adventures, Odysseus embarked on his long-awaited journey back to his homeland of Ithaca. However, his return was not without its challenges.

Challenges at Home: Odysseus’ Battle Against the Suitors

Upon arriving in Ithaca, Odysseus discovered that his palace had been invaded by numerous suitors vying for his wife Penelope’s hand in marriage.

These suitors displayed disrespect and arrogance, consuming Odysseus’ resources and mistreating his loyal servants.

Odysseus, with the guidance of his son Telemachus, devised a plan to reclaim his kingdom. He disguised himself as a beggar and entered his own palace, observing the suitors’ behavior and testing their loyalty.

After proving his strength and skill, Odysseus engaged in a fierce battle against the suitors, ultimately emerging victorious.

Reunion with Penelope: True Love Prevails

Throughout his absence, Penelope remained faithful to Odysseus, resisting the suitors’ advances with unwavering devotion. When Odysseus revealed his true identity to Penelope, their reunion was filled with joy, relief, and love.

Their enduring love and trust served as a testament to the power of fidelity and the deep connection between Odysseus and Penelope.

Restoration of Odysseus’ Kingdom: Victory and Justice

Having vanquished the suitors, Odysseus set out to restore order and establish justice in Ithaca. He purged the palace of disloyal servants and punished those who had conspired against him and his family.

To solidify his authority, Odysseus revealed himself to the people of Ithaca as their rightful king. His reign brought prosperity, peace, and stability to the land he fought so hard to reclaim.

Odysseus in Greek and Roman Mythology

Odysseus, the legendary hero of Greek mythology , played a significant role in the Iliad and the Trojan War. His cunning tactics and strategic mind were instrumental in the Greek victory over Troy.

As depicted by Homer, Odysseus showcased his bravery and leadership skills in various military engagements, earning him a reputation as a formidable warrior.

Role of Odysseus in the Iliad and the Trojan War

In the Iliad, Odysseus emerged as a key figure among the Greek forces during the Trojan War.

Known for his diplomatic skills and eloquence, he played a vital role in several critical events, including the assembly of the Greek army, the reconciliation between Achilles and Agamemnon , and the strategic deployment of soldiers.

Odysseus’ clever plans and insightful advice contributed greatly to the final Greek victory.

Comparison of the Original Epic and the Odyssey

The Odyssey, a separate epic poem attributed to Homer, focuses specifically on the post-war journey of Odysseus. This remarkable narrative showcases his challenges and adventures as he attempts to return to his homeland, Ithaca.

Contrasting with the war-oriented Iliad, the Odyssey delves into the personal trials and transformations of Odysseus, highlighting his resilience, intelligence, and quest for self-discovery.

Influence of Odysseus in Ancient Greek and Roman Culture

Odysseus’ legend extends beyond the confines of Greek mythology .

His character had a profound impact on both ancient Greek and Roman cultures, serving as a symbol of courage, cunning, and the pursuit of journey and knowledge. Artists, poets, and writers drew inspiration from Odysseus, depicting him in various works of literature, art, and sculpture.

His name and story have become synonymous with bravery and resourcefulness throughout history.

Sources and References

When exploring the rich world of Greek mythology and the captivating story of Odysseus, it is important to refer to various reliable sources and references. These sources provide valuable insights and interpretations of the epic journey and heroic exploits of Odysseus.

1. Homer’s Odyssey : The primary and most influential source is the epic poem itself, written by the legendary poet Homer. It details the trials and tribulations faced by Odysseus during his ten-year journey back to Ithaca from Troy.

2. Ancient Greek Literature: Numerous ancient Greek texts, such as the works of Hesiod, Pausanias, and Apollodorus, provide additional information about Odysseus’ adventures, genealogy, and interactions with other mythical characters.

Ancient Art and Sculptures: The artwork and sculptures of ancient Greece offer visual representations of Odysseus and his renowned exploits, showcasing his cunning tactics and bravery on various vases, murals, and statues.

4. Classical Commentaries: Works by ancient scholars and philosophers, including Plutarch, Strabo, and Aristotle, offer valuable commentary and analysis regarding the character of Odysseus and the symbolic meaning behind his adventures.

5. Modern Interpretations: Contemporary literary works, critical essays, and academic research provide new perspectives and interpretations of the epic journey of Odysseus, shedding light on different themes and psychological aspects that relate to his character.

6. Archaeological Discoveries: Archaeological excavations in ancient Greek sites, such as Troy, Ithaca, and Mycenae, have unearthed artifacts and structures that provide tangible evidence and a deeper understanding of the historical context surrounding Odysseus and the world in which he lived.

7. Scholarly Books and Journals: Academic publications by experts in the field of Greek mythology and ancient literature provide comprehensive analysis, in-depth research, and scholarly discussions about Odysseus, his journey, and his significance within the larger context of Greek mythology .

By consulting these sources and references, we can delve into the fascinating world of Odysseus and gain a more comprehensive understanding of his adventures, his role in Greek mythology , and the enduring legacy he has left behind.

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Odysseus Tragic Flaw

The Odyssey Odysseus was always considered to be a great man and a great hero. He was known for his brain as well as his muscle. He was an epic hero of a narrative poem about the deeds of gods or heroes.

He possesses qualities superior to those of most men, yet remains recognizably human. These heroes have a tragic flaw. This is what makes them a hero instead of a god. Gods are perfect. Odysseus is the hero in The Odyssey, an epic attributed to Homer.

His tragic flaw is hubris, occasional occurrences of excessive, overbearing pride.Odysseus is considered a hero because he is a skilled warrior, and a leader of outstanding wisdom, resourcefulness, courage, and endurance. Odysseus’ actions during three events that take place in The Odyssey show his better traits. The encounters with the Lotus-Eaters, the Cyclops, and Scylla and Charybdis all demonstrate his heroism. Odysseus’ brilliance is shown upon his ships arrival on the coastline of the Lotus-Eaters.

Instead of letting his entire crew off of the ship to explore this mysterious area, Odysseus only allowed two picked men and a runner to learn who lived on the land.After some time, none of the three cared to report, nor to return to the boat. This was because they ate the Lotus plant, which was a drug that the Lotus-Eaters offered to the men. It caused them to lose all desire to reach home again. Singlehandedly, Odysseus forced all three men back, tied them down under the rowing benches, and ordered the crew to row away. In this incident, his strength and care for his men is shown. Odysseus’ encounter with the Cyclops demonstrated his resourcefulness and courage.

After Odysseus and his twelve best men first talked to the Cyclops, two men were devoured by this beast just because he was hungry. This may have shaken up his remaining men, but Odysseus wouldn’t let his crew turn and run. Instead, he devised a plan to get what they had wanted, the Cyclops’ rams, which were fat with heavy fleeces. The plan included making the Cyclops drunk, blinding him by driving a pointed six foot pole through his lone eye, and hiding beneath the rams to avoid any confrontations with the Cyclopes. The encounter with the Cyclops was nother test of Odysseus’ heroism.

Once again, he came out on top and proved that he was a hero. The encounter with Scylla and Charybdis was Odysseus’ greatest challenge up to that point. If he were to fail to escape from this encounter safelly his journey home will be greatly delayed. Scylla was a sea monster of gray rock with six heads, and Charybdis was an enormous and dangerous whirlpool. Unfortunately, to reach their home, they were forced to sail directly between these two dangerous hazards. Odysseus was left with a huge dilemma.

Should he sail closer to Scylla or Charybdis? He chose to go closer to Scylla, and this showed how he could make major decisions under great pressure anticipating a successful out come. If they had gone near Charybdis, all of them would have most

likely drowned. Since they were forced to go towards Scylla, it was almost certain that six men would be snagged by the monster, but this would be better than everyone in the crew dying. Odysseus chose not to tell his crew of this risk though. He did this for the welfare of everyone.If he had told them, they all would have gone and hid under the deck, leaving the ship to be sucked in by the whirlpool. Odysseus did what he had to do as the leader.

Even though this was deceitful, he only lost six men compared to everyone. This event highlights many of his heroic qualities, such as bravery, foresight, intelligence, and leadership. All of these events obviously show what made Odysseus a great epic hero. Some of the characteristics that make up an epic hero are great fighting skills, intelligence, bravery, strength, and resourcefulness.

Odysseus has shown all of these qualities, and was able to avoid the wrath of the Gods because he was a hero. He refused to back down to anyone. Odysseus kept on fighting for twenty straight years just to make it back home, and he succeeded in doing this. Had Odysseus’ overbearing self-pride not affronted the gods, the many obstacles placed in his path to prevent he and his crew from arriving home in a timely manner would never had existed. By his ability to overcome the many difficulties created by the gods, he showed that his pride may not have been misplaced.

More about The Odyssey

• The Odyssey Analysis
• The Odyssey Character analysis
• The Odyssey Essays
• The Odyssey Questions
• The Odyssey Quizzes
• The Odyssey Quotes
• The Odyssey Symbols
• The Odyssey Themes

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Harvey Weinstein Conviction Thrown Out

New york’s highest appeals court has overturned the movie producer’s 2020 conviction for sex crimes, which was a landmark in the #metoo movement..

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Featuring Jodi Kantor

Produced by Nina Feldman ,  Rikki Novetsky and Carlos Prieto

Edited by M.J. Davis Lin and Liz O. Baylen

Original music by Dan Powell and Elisheba Ittoop

Engineered by Chris Wood

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When the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted of sex crimes four years ago, it was celebrated as a watershed moment for the #MeToo movement. Yesterday, New York’s highest court of appeals overturned that conviction.

Jodi Kantor, one of the reporters who broke the story of the abuse allegations against Mr. Weinstein in 2017, explains what this ruling means for him and for #MeToo.

On today’s episode

Jodi Kantor , an investigative reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading

The verdict against Harvey Weinstein was overturned by the New York Court of Appeals.

Here’s why the conviction was fragile from the start .

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The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

Jodi Kantor is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and co-author of “She Said,” which recounts how she and Megan Twohey broke the story of sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein, helping to ignite the #MeToo movement.    Instagram • More about Jodi Kantor

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