The Strength In Odysseus Of Homer's Odyssey

Sometimes the greatest leaders show their strength in different ways. As a leader, Odysseus did not let circumstances, no matter how impossible, overwhelm him. His one dream was to reach home, and after twenty years, nothing was going to stand in his way. Odysseus was a strong ruler who used his clever thinking skills and brains in addition to his physical strength to overcome perilous situations where he needed to save the lives of his men and his own.

When it comes to the lives of his men, Odysseus always does his best to protect them. The crew arrived at the land of the Cyclopes, and Odysseus thought they would be welcoming to visitors. They went into a cave where they found cheese and wine and began to eat. They were starving since

they hadn’t eaten in a very long time. Later, a Cyclopes entered the cave and was confused about why there were strangers in his home. The Cyclopes became angry and started eating some of the crew members. The Cyclopes then took his sheep to graze and left the crew trapped inside the cave by a big boulder. Odysseus had to think fast and asked the Goddess Athena to help them. Odysseus took a pole, gave it a pointed end, and stuck it in the fire. Their plan was to stab the Cyclopes in his eye while he was in a deep drunken sleep. When the Cyclopes returned, they gave him gallons of wine to dull his senses. The wine made Cyclopes friendly, and he wanted to know Odysseus’ name. Odysseus was very ingenious and knew he couldn’t say his real name. He said it was Nohbdy, to make sure the Cyclopes couldn’t tell others who had stabbed him. When the Cyclopes fell asleep, it was time to put the plan into action. They plunged the heated, sharpened pole into his eye. The Cyclopes roared, tried to pull it out, and ran out of the cave. Other Cyclopes heard yelling and wondered what had happened. The Cyclopes replied with:
‘Nohbdy, Nohbdy’s tricked me, Nohbdy’s ruined me!’
To this rough shout they made a sage reply:
‘Ah well if nobody has played you foul
there in your lonely bed, we are no use in pain
given by great Zeus. Let it be your father,
Poseidon Lord, to whom you play.’ (9. 317-322)
This demonstrated strategic thinking by Odysseus because it made the other Cyclopes think the injured Cyclopes was crazy. Odysseus and his surviving men went back to their boat and escaped with the sheep. Of course, Odysseus couldn’t leave without getting in the last word. He finally revealed his real name, and they soon left. Even though Odysseus shouldn’t have revealed his name, he still saved the lives of the remaining men and got them out safely.
Before Odysseus returned home to Ithaca, he met his son, Telemachus. Telemachus told Odysseus that everyone thought he was dead, and there were suitors looking to marry Odysseus’ wife Penelope, the Queen, so that they would become king. Telemachus helped Odysseus come up with a plan. Telemachus was going to go back to Ithaca and pretended not to know that his father was alive. Meanwhile, Athena helped turn Odysseus into an old beggar. This would allow Odysseus to sneak back into Ithaca and catch the suitors for his throne off guard. Since Odysseus’ wife believes he is dead, she arranged a challenge to test the suitors for her hand in marriage. What she says is:
“My lords, hear me: Suitors indeed, you commandeered this
house to feast and drink in, day and night, my husband being
long gone, long out of mind. You found no justification
for yourselves- none except your lust to marry me.

Stand up, then: we now declare a contest for that prize.

Here is my lord Odysseus’ hunting bow. Bend and string

it if you can. Who sends an arrow though iron axe-helve sockets,

twelve in line? I join my life with his, and leave this place,

my home, my rich and beautiful bridal house, forever to be

remembered, through a dream I dream it only.”… (21.29-40)

After the men failed to complete her task, only the beggar remained. Odysseus was able to successfully complete the task and win the contest. Odysseus changed back from the beggar into his true self. Since he waited and didn’t attack earlier, he took his sweet revenge. The suitors were locked in a room with Telemachus and Odysseus. He knew which men he had to slay first in order to ensure his own safety. They begged him to stop and he fired back with:

“You yellow dogs, you thought I’d never make it

home from the land of Troy. You took my house to plunder

twisted my maids to serve your beds. You dared

bid for my wife while I was still alive.

Contempt was all you had for the gods who rule the wide heaven,

contempt for what men say of you hereafter.

Your last hour has come. You die in blood.”

(22.34-40)
Then, a man started to fight Odysseus. He didn’t get very far, because Odysseus shot him with an arrow, killing him instantly. Telemachus and Odysseus together killed all the men and were later reunited with Penelope, the Queen. Sadly, she didn’t believe it was actually him at first, since it had been so long. Odysseus didn’t get angry, but instead convinced her by explaining how he built their bed. Once again the family was reunited through Odysseus’ cleverness.
The stories about Odysseus always contain adventure. All of the books were written by Homer, a famous blind poet. In the different books, we see Odysseus portrayed as a powerful leader who, along with his wit and resilience, was able to help his men through the many challenges they faced. His men respected him, but those who didn’t follow his orders ended up dying. Homer wanted to demonstrate the qualities of a good leader so he created Odysseus as a model. Odysseus’s best qualities are what everyone wants in a leader.
Some of the best leaders are hated and respected because their supporters will follow them no matter what, though their haters will try to bring them down at their weakest point.

There is no such thing as a perfect ruler because everyone has their own opinion on which qualities are most important. It’s hard to be sure whether or not the suitors for the Queen hated Odysseus, but the way they treated Penelope shows that they had little respect for him. I feel that if it weren’t for Odysseus’ mind and ability to adapt to situations, he wouldn’t have been able to make it home. He demonstrates how the phrase “Think before you act” can apply to your

life.