Odysseus: A Glorified Deleterious Character

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Crowds squeal in envy and approval; men, women, and children venerating and wishing to be a fraction of what is before them: fortune, fame, and glory. These are often undeserved connotations and associations handed to movie stars, musicians, athletes, scientists, and anyone else who possesses fame. They are worshipped and praised on an endless basis, often times undeservingly. Famous characters of ancient literature, too, are idolized and glorified during the past two millennia, and are often considered heroes. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus is one of those underserving individuals that somehow has gained admiration and applause in the world’s society. No doubt, Odysseus has heroic traits, but instead he uses them for selfish gain; ultimately causing him to prevail as a negative role model. He possesses overwhelming charisma and wit, which woven with outstanding hubris, transforms his character from a possible great Ithacan king and veteran into nothing more than an unadmirable figure of a man. Some of the most memorable and questioned escapades in the Odyssey are Odysseus’ romantic endeavors. Indisputably, these rendezvous are a result of Odysseus’ unparalleled charisma. Many of the female characters in the epic are attracted to Odysseus, which he blatantly uses their attraction to his own advantage and pushes himself forward on his journey home. In the process he harms and betrays the women he is involved with emotionally. The earliest example in the epic appears during the seven years Odysseus is held captive on the sea-nymph Calypso’s island Ogyia. He sleeps with Calypso, leading her to fall in love with him. She reluctantly allows him to leave, and even helps him set up for his journey home, providing food, lavish clothes, and assistance in making a raft. He then sails away without hesitation while she watches with a broken heart. Odysseus once again uses

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