Opportunity Found in Adversity

Throughout literature, the reader often familiarizes themselves with the main character as it experiences changes in the story. In the epic poem The Odyssey translated by Richmond Lattimore, Homer, the author of the epic depicts the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaka and his journey back to his basileia after the decade long Trojan War. Several characteristics are apparent to the reader as Odysseus journey back to Ithaka emerges. His great Homeric leader traits proves to the reader that he is the epic hero of this time in the eyes of Homer. Throughout the epic, Odysseus learns from his character traits as he undergoes several challenges by the Gods. Odysseus characteristics traits allow him to grow into an ambitious man with confidence in his strengths, instead of an arrogant hero.

I think it is safe to say, Odysseus is a man like no other. His abnormal confidence as a leader on and off the battlefield proves to the reader that he can accomplish anything on his journey back to Ithaka. Odysseus is an extremely wise man; his successful attempts to deceive others and his elevated IQ prove to show that he has enough intellect to maneuver out of situations. So why can't he simply find his way home without any hiccups? “So speaking, great Odysseus came from under his thicket, and from the dense foliage with his heavy hand he broke off a leafy branch to cover his body and hide his male parts, and went in the confidence of his strengths, like a hill-kept lion,” (Odyssey 6.127-30). At this moment in the epic, Odysseus crash lands on the island of the Phaiakians where he is awaken by Nausikaa and her maids at the stream. Odysseus perceives the beautiful Nausikaa and considers whether he should hug her knees or use his eloquent speech to convince her that he needs proper help. Because Odysseus is unable to resist temptations when it comes to females, he demonstrates to Nausikaa and the disguised goddess Athena that he is cunning. This characteristic of sensualness towards Nausikaa demonstrates that Odysseus is unable to resist temptation, which hinders his mission; delaying his journey back home to his basileia.

Furthermore, according to Homer, Odysseus “went in the confidence of his strength like a hill-kept lion” (Odyssey 6.130). This quote, demonstrates to the reader that like a hill-kept lion, he demonstrates: courage, strength, nobility, kleos, and confidence. Homers choice of words, gives the reader a well constructed view on how Odysseus perceives certain aspects of his life. Homer uses similes as a figure of speech to compare how Odysseus is proficient like a “hill-kept lion” when it comes to interacting