Throughout this epic the main character Odysseus experiences a myriad of obstacles during his many adventures. These obstacles have a definite impact on his return to Ithaca. These obstacles are not all created by the divinities, but are also created by his and his men's choices. They create many perilous situations and much suffering between Odysseus and his men. Each obstacle leads to another and this creates the many long years of Odysseus" wandering. But what are these obstacles for. There seems to be no divinity that has some unsettled rage with Odysseus, other than Poseidon after Odysseus injured Polymetheus and Zeus, who seems to be still angry from the Trojan War. So the reasons for these obstacles seem to lie in some other reason.
Temptation and choices, these have created many of the obstacles that Odysseus and his mean experience. Temptation led to more choices that helped to continue the flow of obstacles the adventurers had to face. They stay at Circe's island for a full year because of the temptation of the luxuries of her palace. Even though it is just a year, in return this leaves Odysseus" family and his palace vulnerable for even longer to the suitors. Also he loses valuable time at the palace of Calypso. Time is something that is very precious and Odysseus loses it often. This all happened because of the bad choices that were made.
Why must he experience all of these obstacles, is he to be tested or for some reason not wanted to come back to Ithaca. I believe it may be to test his love for his wife for him to have the strong will and desire to get back home. This may not always be noticed because of his choices on Circe's island and also Calypso's island. When he arrives at Circe's island, after he is given the herb from the god Hermes, Odysseus" love is tested. Him and his men are given an assortment of pleasures, goods, and Odysseus" gets to lie down in the goddesses" bed.
The popularity of Odysseus transcends time. ... For twenty years Odysseus overcame each obstacle the gods handed to him. ... Most men would succumb to the exhaustion of twenty years of obstacles, but not Odysseus. ... He realized he had experienced more obstacles in his own life than a normal person, and yet was able to overcome it all. ... Odysseus couldn't possibly do it all on his own. ...
My life can easily be related to Odysseus's life in Homer's epic, The Odyssey. ... Like Odysseus's Ithaca, my Ithaca is very important to me. ... Like Odysseus, I have many things that distract me. Odysseus only had one Calypso, but I have many of them. ... We both have goals, obstacles, people we hate, and people we love in our life. ...
The poem chronicles Odysseus" journey home from the Trojan War, which is fraught with disaster and hardship and the obstacles he continues to face upon his arrival in Ithaca. ... Odysseus rises to the occasion by using his intellect to overcome obstacles. Never at ease, Odysseus is always ready to spin a tale to save his skin. ... Hermes helps Odysseus and his men on Aiaia, Circe's island. ... For the majority of the poem Odysseus is a stranger. ...
The epic is about the hero which is previously discussed, Odysseus. ... A man of outstanding prowess and bravery, Odysseus uses his cunning ideas and insuperable intelligence to overcome the many obstacles presented to him. ... He is a true survivor, learning and maturing from the many obstacles he faces and using his experience to its highest potential. ... If it weren't for these important heroic qualities Odysseus would not have been able to stay so emotionally intact and determined on reaching his goals, turning obstacles into stepping-stones and letting nothing impede his progress. ....
However, all of Odysseus" actions are really performed in order to benefit Odysseus" own well-being, not the well being of his crew. ... A good reputation seems to be very significant to Odysseus. ... He is just excited that he has overcome the obstacle and he is closer to returning home. ... While many people view Odysseus as a great hero and honorable person, the truth is that Odysseus doesn't care about the lives of others he cares about his life and his voyage home. ... The ghastly character traits of Odysseus" non heroism are evident throughout Homer's epic The Odyssey when ...
I have come to the conclusion that they both basically have the same definition, someone or something that can overcome obstacles and lead people on the right path to victory. ... Also, Odysseus has a son, Telemachos. ... I must say Odysseus is a real leader. ... That is why he was able to escape many of the obstacles that were laid in front of him. ... Nevertheless, these obstacles were the only way that Odysseus could learn to take control and be a leader. ...
Poseidon has extreme resentment and hatred for Odysseus because of what Odysseus did to his son Polyphemus. When Odysseus left Troy to return home, Polyphemus captured Odysseus and his crew. ... She is a goddess that represents the obstacles in the path of Odysseus and his journey home. ... Again we have here another goddess that plays the role of an obstacle for Odysseus and his being reunited with his wife. Basically throughout the entire journey of The Odyssey, the gods and goddess play the role of giving Odysseus different obstacles to overcome. ...
Odysseus overcomes many demanding obstacles and through his determination he becomes a hero. ... Because Odysseus took the call to adventure, unaware of what might happen, he has taken the first step towards being a hero. ... Odysseus encounters many threshold crossings. ... Also, Odysseus learns to not take things for granted. After 20 years of not seeing his homeland, he appreciates it more than ever, "Then Odysseus rejoiced at finding himself again in his own land, and kissed the bounteous soil-(Homer 172-173) It is seen through these actions that Odysseus demonstrates heroism. ...
Odysseus and Moses are characters from ancient stories in which the heroes are faced with the challenges of various obstacles and events. ... The stories of Odysseus and Moses share various similar qualities. ... In Odysseus case, it is the god Poseidon who is angry, because Odysseus had blinded his son Polyphemus. ... Both faced various obstacles along the way. ... The stories of Odysseus and Moses are also very different as well. ...
