Quote regarding Odysseus's trick on the Cyclops "My name is Nobody. According to the article, The Nine Traits that Define Great Leadership, explain that an optimistic leader The very best leaders are a source of positive energy. Odysseus is a Leader Joywarm as the joy that children feel when they see their fathers life dawn again, one whos lain on a sickbed racked with torment, wasting away, slowly, under some angry powers onslaught then what joy when the gods deliver him from his pains! After seven years trapped on Calypsos island as her sex-slave, the goddess-nymph and enchantress has agreed to free Odysseus. In the nights, true, hed sleep with her in the arching cave he had no choice unwilling lover alongside lover all too willing. As Odysseus and his men prepare to face Kharybdis and Skylla, his men are nervous, so Odysseus reminds them "'Have we never been in danger before this? Then, being much troubled in mind, I said to my men, "My friends, it is not right that one or two of us alone should know the prophecies that Circe has made me, I will therefore tell you about them, so that whether we live or die we may do so with our eyes open. "Here I am at your mercy, princess are you a goddess or a mortal? (2019, Nov 18). - Odysseus. Especially among Gods and Goddesses. Explore important quotes from the epic poem, learn how fate plays a role, and discover how . Odysseus dauntlessly went after his men and was determined to rescue them from her curse. Would to god Id died there too and met my fate that day the Trojans, swarms of them, hurled at me with bronze spears, fighting over the corpse of proud Achilles! You can also use our tools to come up with interesting topics and points to argue in your Homer portrayed Odysseus as a man of outstanding wisdom and shrewdness, eloquence, resourcefulness, courage, and endurance. "There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep." The Odyssey. DONT GET DISTRACTED AND LEAVE A MAN BEHIND: On Circes island one man fell off a rooftop drunk and Odysseus and his crew left him behind, Odysseus had to promise him a funeral only after he was reminded he was gone while in the underworld. Line 223-301). this Quote Book 6 Quotes The Cicones were allies with the Trojans, meaning that they were enemies of Odysseus. But what if I climb that slope, go for the dark woods and bed down in the thick brush? Hospitality. Heroes orders are followed and pursued, but Odysseus wasn't. ", "what a heart that fearless Odysseus had inside him! With Alcinous' help, he can reach home. And how did his struggles end? Helen, the young woman over whom the Trojan War is being fought, provides some basic information on Odysseus. The story of The Odyssey with Odysseus being a great leader has been told for many years and will be told many years to come. Lord Poseidon, I trust, will let his anger go. Read More Odysseus longs to be back home with her in Ithaca, no matter what trials he faces along the way. Also, Odysseus is evidently clever when devising the escape plan from the Cyclops' cave. He looks terrifying to the Phaeacian princess Nausicaa and her handmaids as he approaches them. Home Essay Samples Literature Odysseus Analysis Of Odysseus As A Good Leader. I believe that Odysseus is a good leader because he is very determined to get back home and back to his wife and son, he is intelligent while he used the idea to kill the cyclops by getting him drunk and putting him to sleep so his men could kill him and escape,and Odysseus uses good judgement when he keeps a secret from his men that six of his crew members are going to be sacrificed for the rest of his crew to stay alive. Odysseus takes Agamemnon's scepter and does this: [W]hen he came upon some common soldier shouting, he drove him back with the sceptre and rebuked him: "Sit, man, and hear the words of better men than you; you are weak and lack courage, worthless in war or counsel. Odysseus must fight monsters, Cyclopes and more . After barely escaping, the Cyclops he placed a curse on Odysseus out of his fury. He is a leader when he does this because he lets his men not suffer the sirens while he has to. This is perhaps the most famous example of leadership by Odysseus. At the beginning of the poem the narrator invokes the Muse the Muses were ancient Greeces goddesses of literature, science and the arts. Eumaeus and Philoetius, the servants, remained faithful servants to their master. Telemachus is searching for news of his father, who has not been heard from since he left for war nearly 20 years earlier. What role does war play in the Iliad? I went up to this club and cut off about six feet of it; I then gave this piece to the men and told them to fine it evenly off at one end, which they proceeded to do, and lastly I brought it to a point myself, charring the end in the fire to make it harder. When he realizes his men are in danger, he is confident in an escape plan and taking the risks to go through with it. This shows that he truly cared about his men and kept their wellbeing in mind no matter the circumstances. A bad leader is like a cyclops wearing an eyepatch, never able to see his mighty hand in front of his own face. . 380-381). DONT LET YOUR CREW TELL YOU WHAT TO DO: Odysseus showed bad leadership with his men and Helios cattle. Don't use plagiarized sources. The shipwrecked Odysseus flatters Nausicaa in a bid to gain her assistance, even comparing her to the goddess Artemis. We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. And out he stalked as a mountain lion exultant in his power strides through wind and rain and his eyes blaze and he charges sheep or oxen or chases wild deer but his hunger drives him on to go for flocks, even to raid the best-defended homestead. You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers. "Man of misery, whose land have I lit on now? Unique to Odysseus as an ideal hero as he was a rare intelligent hero Strategy quotes 'quick witted' 'resourceful' 'at every twist of strategy he excelled us all' - Nestor to Telemachus The ideal wife complements odysseus Puts him above other men as he and his wife can work together as a team. Let's start by finding a writer. Odysseus' sharp wit distinguishes him from other heroes of his era, who only use strength to overpower their enemies. While he does not appear to be particularly sagacious, as soon as he speaks it is evident--even to Antenor, the king's wise counselor--that Odysseus is a gifted and wise orator. These traits causes his men to die, him suffering, and trouble. 260). Calypso is portrayed in The Odyssey as embodying the feminine powers of seduction, manipulative language and beauty and using these to keep Odysseus on her island. The poet asks the Muse for inspiration to learn about the "man of twists and turns" and his arduous journey home. But he could not save them from disaster, hard as he strove the recklessness of their own ways destroyed them all, the blind fools, they devoured the cattle of the Sun and the Sungod blotted out the day of their return. This essay proves that an epic hero is not only a personification of that culture but also the best version of that culture. Get your custom essay on, https://studydriver.com/odysseus-showed-bad-leadership/. They readily address him as their king and leave many responsibilities in his hands. Traits of being a good leader are being determined, being intelligent, and using good judgement. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime. Straight forward they sprinted, lifted it and rammed it deep in his eye chater (Hom. Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. Like pebbles stuck in the suckers of some octopus dragged from its lair so strips of skin torn from his clawing hands stuck to the rock face. Odysseus had what it takes to be a good leader because he was intelligent, fair and fearless and he supported and did not do anything that would blemish his men's courage. However, Odysseus did not disclose any information to his crew. She is the [], After the events of the Trojan War, Odysseus and his men headed back home to Ithaca. The lack of obedience and respect for Odysseus shows the lack of leadership role that he has between he and his followers. In this epic is four major examples that convey loyalty, which is shown by Penelope, Telemachus, the servants, and Odysseus. In the first place, Odysseus demonstrates his ability to be a good leader by being strong with everything he goes through during the epic. I define a good leader as someone who is an example for others to follow, someone who you trust, and someone you respect and who respects you. "But my heart breaks for Odysseus, that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long far from his loved ones still, he suffers torments off on a wave-washed island rising at the center of the seas. They must be superior in order to provide as a good figure for others to follow, learn from, and willingly respect. The Odyssey, Book 5, lines 236-246. Both he and Odysseus visited Antenor on a mission to arrange for the return of Helen, and Antenor talks about that visit here as he and others watch the preparations for the great duel, below the tower. 2021 Dec 16 [cited 2023 Mar 5]. Written in the late 8th or 9th century BC, The Odyssey remains one of the all-time greatest quest stories. Generally I think Odysseus is a good leader because he saves his men more times than he lets them get killed, for example on the island with Polythemus. A heavy sea covered him over, then and there unlucky Odysseus would have met his death against the will of Fate but the bright-eyed one inspired him yet again. ", "but what a feat that hero dared and carried off in the land of Troy where you Achaeans suffered! Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. In the meantime, while . ", "And now for his blinded son the earthquake god though he wont quite kill Odysseus drives him far off course from native land. After building a raft and setting sail from Calypsos island, Odysseus finally sees the land of Phaeacia. At that moment to there shock this Cyclops does not for tray the "rules" of the Gods. At Polyphemuss cave, Odysseus shows no fear confronting and speaking to the Cyclops in the beginning. Atlas daughter it is who holds Odysseus captive, luckless man despite his tears, forever trying to spellbind his heart with suave, seductive words and wipe all thought of Ithaca from his mind. Odysseus was given advice from Circe that said not to try to fight Scylla even when she takes six of your men, but Odysseus tried to fight her and he lost . So his destiny ordains. The most compelling evidence is. Stranded on the shore of Phaeacia, Odysseus debates where the safest place to sleep is. In The Odyssey, how does the character of Odysseus change from the beginning of his quest until the end? Scylla was a huge monster that had twelve large legs like tentacles and 6 heads with fangs. "Odysseus, master of many exploits, praised the singer: I respect you, Demodocus, more than any man alive surely the Muse has taught you, Zeus's daughter, or god Apollo himself. The Odyssey, Book 1, lines 228-231. Therefore, take me and bind me to the crosspiece half way up the mast; bind me as I stand upright, with a bond so fast that I cannot possibly break away, and lash the rope's ends to the mast itself. "The Odyssey" is about a man named Odysseus and his ten-year journey to get home with his men after losing the Trojan war. And if a god will wreck me yet again on the wine-dark sea, I can bear that too, with a spirit tempered to endure. But when the other [Menelaos] drove to his feet, resourceful Odysseus,he would just stand and stare down, eyes fixed on the ground beneath him,nor would he gesture with the staff backward and forward, but hold itclutched hard in front of him, like any man who knows nothing.Yes, you would call him a sullen man, and a fool likewise.But when he let the great voice go from his chest, and the words camedrifting down like the winter snows, then no other mortalman beside could stand up against Odysseus. In The Odyssey, Homer illustrates the journey home to Ithaca taken by Odysseus and his men. (Page 12), DONT GET COCKY WHEN YOU HAVE A VICTORY: Odysseus showed bad leadership when he started to mock the cyclops after they left his island. His men try and convince him to leave, but to this he ignores their pleas and says Yet I refused. . To begin, Odysseus shows endless consideration for all of his men which makes him a strong leader. What are 3 examples of times when Odysseus demonstrated epic hero/god like qualities in The Odyssey? GradesFixer. " This is perhaps the most famous example of leadership by Odysseus. Next, the group was stranded on Circes island and his men were turned into animals by the goddess. And no one there could hope to rival Odysseus, not for sheer cunning at every twist of strategy he excelled us all. While Nausicaa stands her ground, her attendants run off down the beach in panic. Announce to the nymph with lovely braids our fixed decree: Odysseus journeys home the exile must return. Noman is my name, and Noman they call me, and my father and my mother and all my fellows. While not fully explored in [], We provide you with original essay samples, perfect formatting and styling. He's on the final leg of his journey, and this grand tale has culminated in his finally coming near his goal. What power we had! In order to serve as a good leader one must have certain qualities about their personality and abilities. But not in the convoy of the gods or mortal men. Secondly, Odysseus can be deceitful and not fully communicate the facts of each situation. Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy. Therefore I led them back to the ships weeping, and sore against their will, and dragged them beneath the benches, and bound them in the hollow barques. He is a man who inspires others to do the right thing by speaking well and wisely, even though he has not yet had his own experience with suffering or loss. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. Log in here. Penelope, Odysseus's wife, and their young son, Telemachus, are powerless before her arrogant suitors as they despair of Odysseus's return from the siege of Troy. He prays to the river god as he swims towards the mouth of a river on the coast of Phaeacia. Leaders must fall above their followers in certain ways, like levels of knowledge and readiness for whatever may come their way. The Odyssey, Book 6, lines 131-138. But the hero of the Trojan war wishes that he had met his end more gloriously with his dead comrades on the battlefields of Troy. 1 / 9. What if Im spared the chill, fatigue, and a sweet sleep comes my way? Why does a conflict take place between Agamemnon and Achilles in the Iliad? A great leader views the world like he is looking through 3D glasses, always seeing the depth and vibrancy of the possibilities around him. Listen: shouting, echoing round me women, girls or the nymphs who haunt the rugged mountaintops and the river springs and meadows lush with grass! A professional writer will make a clear, mistake-free paper for you! Early in the poem we are informed that Odysseus had chosen one of his friends to be the overseer of his family and property. And now, look, it all comes to pass. Is it presented as a good or bad thing? To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below: By clicking Send, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. Did I not keep my Odysseus is crying as he listens to the Phaiakian bard sing about the Trojan War, but he's not just letting a single tear fall: he's weeping like a widowed woman. Agamemnon has had a dream and is confident the gods are now on the side of the Achaians against the Trojans; he decides to test his army and announces that they are free to go home if they wish. During the time Odysseus encounters many divergent tough tasks, he always overcomes many tasks with his men when he encourages them. What are the challenges that Odysseus had to face on his journey home? Their own best claim to glory.". This shows how powerful a woman Penelope is. 14. So with his lordly ways he brought the ranks to heel, and they flocked back from their huts and ships to the Assembly, noisily, like a wave of the roaring sea when it thunders on the beach while the depths resound. Homer (around 800 and 600 BCE) to show the numerous adventures and experiences Odysseus goes through. This example has been uploaded by a student. Odysseus is meeting with Tiresias (a blind prophet) to learn his future. His ability to remain courageous in the face of brute beast, the actions of gods and demi-goddesses, and in almost impossible natural and supernatural circumstances certainly admirable. After three of his men ate the Lotus, they wanted to keep eating more and did not want to leave the island. After his boat is wrecked and he is adrift on a heavy sea for two nights and days, Odysseus is overjoyed to see the shores of Phaeacia. Tricking Polyphemus into drinking the wine, sharpening a huge tree trunk into a spear, and driving it into the eye of the cyclops shows not only slyness but strength and leadership. Odysseus showed bad leadership when his curiosity resulted in some of his men dying. Why was Odysseus not a good leader? It was so huge that we could only compare it to the mast of a twenty-oared merchant vessel of large burden, and able to venture out into open sea. Was Odysseus the ideal leader or did he portray undesirable leadership tendencies? Show More. He neglected to tell them anything, which resulted in 6 of his men being eaten.