The Odyssey

The Odyssey has captured minds for over 2700 years, and the story of Odysseus shows his determination to fight and conquer obstacles with and without the help of the Gods. The story dates back before 1000B.c. (The Modern Library, 1950, p.VI) His creative and cunning tactics throughout the story show his determination to reach his homeland of Ithaca.

After conquering the Trojan War, Odysseus was told by Poseidon “man is nothing without the gods”. Poseidon felt Odysseus was not thankful for Poseidon’s help with the battle Trojan War. He felt Odysseus needed to be taught a lesson to be more thankful to the gods for their help. Odysseus appeared righteous and gloated that he had conquered Troy on his own. (Hallmark Home Entertainment, 1997, Scene 1) During the Trojan War, Odysseus created the Trojan horse, which allowed the army to enter the great walls of Troy but it was Poseidon who allowed the distraction. Poseidon distracted the Trojans with the sea serpent upon the Trojan army and the Trojan horse was not fully inspected. Therefore, Odysseus and his men were allowed through into Troy.

Poseidon was very angry of his ingratitude and told him he would never reach his homeland of Ithaca or see his family again.

Without the gods, Odysseus would not have become the great warrior and famous for the many conflicts of man against nature. The conflicts with Poseidon, the Cyclops, and the suitors at Ithaca allowed him to be a stronger more endurable person, and those conflicts were set up by the gods. Since Odysseus accomplished so many defeats and still found his way home to Ithaca and to his family, his name and the Odyssey has survived for centuries.

The first conflict I present is the initial conflict with Poseidon. During the Trojan War Odysseus and Poseidon did not agree on how Troy was conquered. Odysseus created the Trojan horse, but Poseidon allowed the distraction of the Trojan army. Odysseus gloated that he made the defeat alone “a mortal”. He didn’t give thanks to Poseidon for helping and said he could conquer any task placed before him. Poseidon was furious and told Odysseus he would be punished and would never see Ithaca again. Odysseus showed no remorse he was sure he would return to Ithaca. Poseidon set Odysseus on a journey of adventure and turmoil, trying to keep Odysseus from reaching home. This war with Poseidon made Odysseus furious and more determined to prove his wit as a mortal. With each conflict placed before Odysseus he becomes stronger and more determined.

The second conflict I present was the conflict Cyclops Island. Odysseus and his men arrived at Cyclops Island; they took refuge in a cave. The cave is where Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon, lived. Polyphemus, the Cyclops, threatened to eat the brains of the men. The men were kept inside the cave by a huge rock that covered the cave opening. Cyclops was the only one who was strong enough to move the rock. Odysseus offers the Cyclops wine as a gift and in return he is told he will be the last to die. Odysseus outsmarted Polyphemus by telling him his name was “nobody” (Fagles, 1996, p. 223). Odysseus gave him gift of wine, he enjoyed it and desired more and the men then waited for him to fall asleep. Odysseus, with the help of his warriors blinded the Cyclops while he slept. As the Cyclops yelled helplessly for someone to help, he screamed in pain that “Nobody” is hurting him and had blinded him (Fagles, p. 224). With rage and anger, the Cyclops rolled away the huge rock enabling the men to escape (Fagles, 1996, p. 223). Again, Odysseus was proud that he had mastered another test. His ego grew, and his pride fueled his strength to continue to Ithaca.

In this scene, Odysseus used the trick name “Noman” or “Nobody. When the monster yelled out for help and said nobody was hurting him, he received no help because the name he called out is “nobody”. That name was a play on words but as the reader, I found the name comical. The monster appeared even more gullible than originally appeared. Odysseus didn’t get help conquering the Cyclops, but with the god Poseidon he was led to this test. As the Cyclops threw boulders at the ship, they ended up sailing in the direction they needed toward Ithaca.

The third conflict was the return of Odysseus to Ithaca. He returned, disguised as a beggar to take back his throne and get Penelope back. With this example, he again received help from a god, the goddess Athena (Fagles, 1996, p. 300). After 20 years, Odysseus returned to Ithaca to learn that suitors had taken over his home in an attempt to steal his throne