Recklessness In The Odyssey

A person’s character is developed and influenced by the experiences they undergo during their lifetime. For instance, someone who was isolated during adolescents will likely have difficulty communicating with others just like an abuse victim will be more inclined to have trust issues. All throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus goes through major misfortunes that continued to develop his character even after his return home. The decisions and judgments that he makes determine the evolvement in his character. Odysseus’ character was altered throughout the chorus of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, progressing from reckless to cautious, impulsive to patient, and egotistical to relatively humble.

Odysseus’ recklessness caused an unnecessary

amount of chaos and violence that ultimately ended with the death of his whole crew. On many occasions, Odysseus had the chance to avoid subjecting himself and his crew to the suffering they underwent, but decided not to. During the altercation with Polyphémus, Odysseus bellowed “Cyclops, if any man should ask about the shameful blinding of your eye, then tell them the man who gouged you was Odysseus...one who lives in Ithaca” (Homer 185). Odysseus’ hubris caused him to reveal his identity to the cyclops, which would not have been a problem if Polyphémus’ father was not Poseidon, God of the sea. Because Odysseus was not able to control himself, his recklessness would later contribute to the death of his entire crew. Although Odysseus’ recklessness did kill the rest of his remaining crew, he did become more cautious by the end of his journey. When it came time for Odysseus to reveal himself to the suitors, he first tested the loyalty of Eurymachus and Antinoüs, “How would you act if he- Odysseus- needed help, if suddenly some God had brought him back from some far land? Would you be on the suitors’ side or his?” (Homer 425). Odysseus restrained himself from revealing his identity to the swineherd and the cowherd, opposite to his actions during the conflict with Polyphémus. If Eurymachus and Antinoüs proved to be on the suitors’ side and these precautions were not taken, Odysseus and Telémachus could have had an even more laborious time defending their home from the suitors. Despite the fact that Odysseus chose to be reckless during the beginning of his journey, he was still able to mature, learn from his mistakes, and develop into a more cautious person.
Odysseus’ impulsive nature is evident throughout much of Homer’s epic poem.

Odysseus’ repeated attempts to prove his own excellence cost his comrades greatly. Book nine, the cyclops saga, is a prime example of this. In spite of his crew’s requests, Odysseus refused to leave the cave of Polyphémus before the cyclops’ return, “But I ignored their counsel, though that course would have avoided many griefs for us. Instead I had to wait to see that man, to find if he’d welcome me” (Homer 176). Odysseus did not ruminate over the possibility of the cyclops being a threat to him or his crew, his only concern was meeting him. If Odysseus were to listen to his crew, or even just mull over the situation, he could have avoided making that poor, impulsive decision. And when he was later presented with the conflict of ridding his house of the suitors, Odysseus did just that. His usual impetuous style would not have produced the same triumphant results. After revealing his identity to Telemachus, Odysseus requested he “describe the suitors, so that I may learn how many and what sort of men they are. As I deliberate in my stout heart I then can see if just we two alone…[can] face their force, or if we must seek help” (Homer 325). Not only did this precaution validate Odysseus’ betterment from reckless to cautious, but it also exhibits his progression from impulsive to patient. Odysseus chose to stop and consider his predicament instead of jumping right into battle. The hardships

Odysseus faced throughout his odyssey influenced his character from impulsive to patient.
Odysseus’ egocentrism was a main factor in almost every conflict him and his crew experienced, but this changed by the end of the story.

Murdering and robbing the Cicones on their island was not only unnecessary, but it cost Odysseus many of his men, “I sacked their city, massacred their men. We took much treasure and we took their wives… In each ship’s crew, six of my well-greaved comrades died” (Homer 171). Odysseus could have sailed right by the island of the Cicones, but that would not have boosted his ego. Killing these men and enslaving the others was another opportunity for Odysseus to prove to others what kind of leader he was, so he took it. After learning from this experience, Odysseus did not take the next opportunity to prove himself. Odysseus could have reciprocated Antinous’ actions when he threw a stool at Odysseus, but “When struck, he did not budge; he stood, firm as a rock; he only shook his head…he devised a deadly plot” (Homer 353). Although murdering Antinous at that moment was another opportunity to prove himself, Odysseus knew that it would be detrimental to his plan. Instead of acting out of egocentrism, he continued his façade as a beggar. Throughout his ordeal, Odysseus was able to progress from egocentric to relatively

humble.
The encounters that Odysseus and his crew faced during their odyssey without a doubt influenced Odysseus’ character. Without the ordeal with Polyphemus, Odysseus would not have been as victorious when trying to be patient and cautious later on with the suitors. Likewise, the unfortunate results of his egocentrism allowed him to develop into a more humble person. The hardships faced by Odysseus throughout his odyssey eventually forced him to be a better person.