Introduction to Odysseus’s Adventures in Odyssey
Odysseus’s adventures in Odyssey shows him a hero, who carries on wandering for ten years after the Trojan war facing different challenges, where his ingenious ploy of coming up with the Trojan horse idea won the Greeks the war in Troy. During his return journey, he faced numerous incidents where he faced temptations, was tricked and forced to overcome obstacles that he must face if he is to return to his kingdom to take his rightful position at the throne. He had invariably invited the anger of two gods but remained steadfast and using his intelligence, discernment, bravery and strength, he overcame whatever came his way. Besides his own will power, he also had the help from the goddess Athena, who selected him as one of her chosen heroes and thereafter ensured he had her blessings, helping him overcome three formidable obstacles that blocked his path on his journey back to his home which had he not won, he would surely have faced stark reality of failure.
Obstacle and Odysseus’s adventures
The first big obstacle Odysseus’s adventures come across on his journey back home comes when Hecuba falls to him. He was tempted by her beauty but he hurled down her grandson from a wall that she did not tolerate. Athena, the Goddess, heard her screaming and wailing and created fierce tornadoes of tremendous strength that they were forced to finish off Hecuba or else would have faced destruction. The second obstacle came his way when he conquered Cicones, a city, and was served wine which made him and his men fall asleep and in the meantime a bunch of his fighters were killed as they were attacked while asleep. Odysseus forced his men awake to be able to escape successfully. The third obstacle was when they arrived at the island where Cyclops resided and ended up trapped with the Cyclops in his cave. Using his quick thinking, Odysseus got him drunk from the earlier wine and blinded him thereafter. Odysseus succeeded in moving the wheel away from the entrance of the cave from where he and his men escaped from there as Cyclops, enraged, hurled a huge stone at them to stop them from escaping but they managed to get away. Bad for them however it proved that the Cyclops was the son of Poseidon and the sea god got angry with Odysseus for blinding his son. He began to create trouble for him afterwards. Odysseus’s adventures in Odyssey, in fact, bring him obstacle this time on Aeolus Island which Odysseus successfully overcomes.
Incidents During Odysseus’s Adventures in Odyssey
The other two incidents came in the form of cannibals and the island of Circe, the sorceress. He managed to survive the incident with the cannibals but he was overcome with lust for Circe and it was only after the help of a goddess that he was able to overcome his desire. There were several temptations he had to overcome. First he traveled to the underworld to meet Hades. He saw several ghosts over there even of his dead mother who had died waiting for him to return from Troy. He wanted to stay there but he consulted Tiresias, the blind seer, on how to win the favor of Poseidon, the sea god, and got his answers. He also saw other notable ghosts of kings and other important people but decided to return. He then returned to Circe and asked her how to cross the sirens successfully. Odysseus and his men managed to avoid the whirlpool Charybdis and the six headed monster Scylla, by rowing directly in between the two to avoid both of them. He was tempted once again by a nymph Calypso, who fell in love with him and wanted him to stay with her forever. He stayed with her for 7 long years but eventually his longing for home overcame him. He wanted to eventually return. Poseidon was busy elsewhere in Ethiopia which provided him a chance to leave. Zeus helped him make preparation to depart and he ordered Hermes to tell Calypso to allow him return. Third time he was tempted was with Nausicaa, her being a princess of Phaeacians. Competitions were held routinely there and life was never boring in this kingdom but soon after Odysseys got homesick again. The Phaeacians helped him make preparations and soon after he departed for home leaving Odysseus’s adventures to end.
Conclusion to Odysseus’s Adventures in Odyssey
His troubles were not over yet. He was tempted and tested many times during his return journey. But even then he constantly used his wit, quick thinking, mental ingenuity and courage to overcome these obstacles and temptations. It was also he had the favor of the gods on his side. One other thing that helped him resist these temptations was his strong love for his family that being his wife and son, his home land and his people which drew him back and made him be able to aptly resist his desires. Even when he was getting complacent and stayed with the nymph for 7 long years, his love for his homeland suppressed his desire and temptation and he wanted to return home. It may be assumed that his love for his homeland fueled his determination to return home and overshadowed other temptations.
Works Cited
Relevant Questions about Odysseus’s Adventures in Odyssey
- How do Odysseus’s encounters with various supernatural beings and mythical creatures, such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, Circe, and the Sirens, serve to illustrate the themes of cunning and resourcefulness in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges?
- The journey of Odysseus is marked by a strong sense of longing for home and family. How does this theme of nostos (homecoming) and the role of Penelope, Telemachus, and Ithaca contribute to the narrative’s emotional depth and resonance?
- In “The Odyssey,” Odysseus faces numerous moral dilemmas and choices that test his character. How do his actions, including the blinding of the Cyclops and his interactions with the suitors in Ithaca, reflect the concept of heroism in ancient Greek culture, which often involved complex moral decision-making?
