This essay will explore the representation of three types of relationship in Odyssey: husband and [], Trickery is common in Greek mythology. That was how the war was won, and it was all thanks to Odysseus and his cleverness and ability to lead. In the Circe episode, Circe persuades Odysseus and his men to stay with her. When we do see him, he is generally described as being "godlike" or somehow connected to the gods Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. Example 2 "At first, my comrades urged me to grab some cheeses and return.but I did not agree" (Book 9. A great leader views the world like he is looking through 3D glasses, always seeing the depth and vibrancy of the possibilities around him. Some of us may be more susceptible than others are, but there's always a siren. However, Oedipus slowly uncovers the truth, ultimately leading to his own banishment from his. Why does a conflict take place between Agamemnon and Achilles in the Iliad? By continuing, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. Already a member? According to Helen's description, Odysseus is the son of Laertes (a well-respected . In Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, Odysseus exhibits many qualities that confirm his ability to fit the role of a good leader. This is despite her maids fleeing at the terrifying sight of him. 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. When he realizes his men are in danger, he is confident in an escape plan and taking the risks to go through with it. He joins the chosen four in the expedition to the cyclops cave and takes the lead in ensuring that it will be a success by preparing the weapon accordingly. His concern for his men is only matched by his own desire to rise above mortal limits. Log in here. . ", She pitied Odysseus, tossed, tormented so she broke from the waves like a shearwater on the wing, lit on the wreck and asked him kindly, "Ah poor man, why is the god of earthquakes so dead set against you? Odysseus knew that he would encounter this monster because Circe warned him about her. Is Odysseus a Good Leader? - New York Essays He confronted Circe and slept with her in order to have his men turned back into humans, proving his fearlessness and reliability as a leader. Even if Odysseus fought in the Trojan War, he is not a hero because he is self-centered and ignorant to other people's values and needs.There are multiple examples of Odysseus being self-centered, such as not taking people's advice. This is perhaps the most famous example of leadership by Odysseus. In summary, a hero has to have an excellent leadership role. 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. He is a thinker and he is a hero, and we see these attributes whenever we read about him. Since Odysseus could not control his men and make them not eat the cattle, his whole crew died and his ship got destroyed. They said dreadful danger/ lurks there for us. Taste it, and see the kind of drink we carried under our planks Give me another, thank you kindly' The Cyclops drank three bowls of wine and became very drunk that was what Odysseus was trying to do so, A great leader has to possess certain qualities like being charismatic, responsible, competent, and determined. Why is Odysseus a Bad Leader. The Odyssey, Book 4, lines 626-630. DON'T KEEP SECRETS FROM YOUR MEN:Odysseus showed bad leadership by telling his men nothing about Scylla. Was Odysseus the ideal leader or did he portray undesirable leadership tendencies? Odysseus Page Number this Quote Three, four times blessed, my friends-in-arms who died on the plains of Troy those years ago, serving the sons of Atreus to the end. Even though Odysseus knew that the Cyclops could be very dangerous, he still went on to their island in order to explore. She tells Odysseus to abandon his raft and take her immortal scarf. They readily address him as their king and leave many responsibilities in his hands. 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. Athena inspires Nausicaa with the courage to face the brine-caked and naked Odysseus. "Wretched man what becomes of me now, at last? After that, he stays equally as strong when faced with Poseidons anger and the journey ahead of him. However, Odysseus did not disclose any information to his crew. Odysseus Heroic & Leadership qualities With Quotes The epic poem "The Odyssey" is written by Homer and takes place in ancient Greece 700 B.C. He remembers Calypsos prophecy about the painful journey home he would have. So, thoughtfulness is clearly another trait of Odysseus that he uses to make him a stronger leader. Following are some quotes from The Odyssey that demonstrate Odysseus's leadership qualities. In this story, he solidifies his reputation as a strong leader, which is why we are willing to follow his journey. This shows the lack of obedience the men have and Odysseus lack of leadership. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, however, what gives someone the title of a good or bad is decided by the decisions they make and how those decisions affect others. The first main trait that demonstrates Odysseus is a worthy leader is his optimistic approach to the difficult tasks both he and his men faced during their adventure. Yes, the terribly challenging circumstances in narrative in which the Odysseus finds himself is a challenge of courage and heroism of which very few would willingly volunteer. Announce to the nymph with lovely braids our fixed decree: Odysseus journeys home the exile must return. Examples Of Leadership In The Odyssey - 1206 Words | Cram And now, look, it all comes to pass. Both of these stories show how fame can interact [], Essentially a tale of warfare, Homers Iliad presents the Trojan War as a traditionally male-focused conflict. . There is a strong theme of homecoming in The Odyssey, with Odysseus on a long, perious journey home after the end of the Trojan War. But he cant destroy you, not for all his anger. Leaders have more expectations and responsibilities that they must cater to as well. How true to life, all too true . Penelope is the wife of Odysseus; she does not remarry while he is away. A Homeric simile compares this to a farmer burying an ember in ashes to keep it warm, so that he can kindle a fire later. DONT LET YOUR CREW TELL YOU WHAT TO DO: Odysseus showed bad leadership with his men and Helios cattle. In this passage Athena, who has a special relationship with Odysseus, pleads with Zeus to allow the "cursed by fate" hero home. "Man of misery, whose land have I lit on now? When Odysseus commands his men to go back to sea to voyage, he is a good leader because he is telling his men what to do. 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. We get a brief synopsis of the story of the epic poem. Show More. In The Odyssey, it is clear that Odysseus has earned the respect and status of a leader to Ithacas people. Here, take this scarf, tie it around your waist it is immortal. All rights reserved. Ultimately Odysseus can be a good leader but behind the scenes, he's not. The Odyssey, Book 5, lines 538-545. In an extended simile, Odysseus is compared to a powerful mountain lion driven by hunger to approach a homestead and attack its flocks of animals. She is mortal after all and you, you never age or die Nevertheless I long I pine, all my days to travel home and see the dawn of my return. Using a metaphor, Nestor compares the siege of Troy by the Greeks to a spider weaving a web. 380-381). Odysseus in The Odyssey | Shmoop The most compelling evidence is. Unfortunately, Odysseus makes poor choices throughout his travels and his actions often do more harm than good. Secondly, Odysseus can be deceitful and not fully communicate the facts of each situation. His Arrogance and his hubris Poseidon may have condemned Odysseus to an additional ten years suffering at sea, but his fate has attracted the attention of the other gods who want to help him. Odysseus dauntlessly went after his men and was determined to rescue them from her curse. ", "You are our messenger, Hermes, sent on all our missions. 16 students ordered this very topic and got original papers. Athena on the other hand employs her considerable power at a meeting of the gods to help Odysseus and persuade Zeus to allow him return home. Odysseus is a Leader 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. the crew relies on their leader to make decisions for the well-being of the crew. She helps him fight his way out of the breakers driving him towards the rocky coast. With our Essay Lab, you can create a customized outline within seconds to get started on your essay right away. Zeus instructs his son Hermes to deliver his command to Calypso concerning Odysseus. He always looks out for his men and encourages them to keep moving forward when hope disappears. And now, withdrawing into the caverns deep recesses, long in each others arms they lost themselves in love. Accessed 5 Mar. Odysseus is an admirable leader when he orders his men to tie him up and do not untie him because he is sacrificing himself for the good of his men. His quick and impractical decision eventually led to death among his men. The lot fell upon the very four whom I should have chosen, and I myself made five. She says that he is being held captive on an island by the goddess Calypso, who is trying to wipe out all thoughts of his homeland. Being a leader is a very honorable and important status. He encountered and overcame many obstacles that include fighting cyclops, monsters, giants and more. The opening line of The Odyssey introduces Odysseus by his epithet, "the man of twists and turns." Odysseus is "the man of twists and turns" because his journey, and his story, are anything but straightforward. ", "and no one knew him at all I alone, I spotted him for the man he was. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/analysis-of-odysseus-as-a-good-leader/. They communicate easily. The article explains, that an optimistic leader is supposed to have a positive energy towards everything and they have to be easy to talk to. Listen: shouting, echoing round me women, girls or the nymphs who haunt the rugged mountaintops and the river springs and meadows lush with grass! How are the Suitors Described in The Odyssey: Everything You Need to Words 181. You can find some excellent answers on these topics in the eNotes links below, which can help guide you in your studies. Long-enduring great Odysseus, overjoyed at the sight, bedded down in the midst and heaped the leaves around him. Scylla was a huge monster that had twelve large legs like tentacles and 6 heads with fangs. He pleads for rags to cover him and assistance to get to the town. Eumaeus, Odysseus's trusty swineherd, is reassuring Odysseus that the suitors will be punished for their bad behavior, because the gods frown upon mortals who flout the kindness of hospitality. ", "Show me the way to town, give me a rag for cover, just some cloth, some wrapper you carried with you here. What makes a good leader? 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. A good leader would have taken his mens concerns into consideration. You can also use our tools to come up with interesting topics and points to argue in your Where do you want us to send this sample? Odysseus Hero Quotes - 423 Words | Bartleby Like a fond father welcoming back his son after nine years abroad, his only son, the apple of his eye for whom he has sacrificed much, the admirable swineherd threw his arms round Telemachus'. Was odysseus a good leader? Explained by Sharing Culture The more complicated a character is, the more he or she engages these major themes. Odysseus Quotes from The Odyssey - 242 Quotes, Analysis Best Odysseus Leadership Quotes from Odyssey Quotes About Leadership QuotesGram. All rights These traits causes his men to die, him suffering, and trouble. reserved. GradesFixer. Line 223-301). "What are some good quotes about Odysseus being a hero who thinks things through in the Iliad by Homer?" With our Essay Lab, you can create a customized outline within seconds to get started on your essay right away. Here Odysseus appears to be flattering and even flirting with her. "Man of misery, what next? Odysseus is a great leader, and a hero. 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! Is he not being disloyal to Penelope here? Their response is not what he expected: they cheer loudly and head back to their ships, eager to go home rather than finish fighting the war they came here to fight. By continuing well assume you board with our cookie policy. Example 1 "I started shouting,calling the Cyclops, although around me my comrades cautioned me from every side,But my warrior spirit did not listen.." (Book 9. 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. Only Alcinous daughter held fast. I wished to see the cave man, what he had to offer- no pretty sight, it turned out, for my friends (155-157). What are the challenges that Odysseus had to face on his journey home? And no one there could hope to rival Odysseus, not for sheer cunning at every twist of strategy he excelled us all. When we do see him, he is generally described as being "godlike" or somehow connected to the gods because of his wisdom or bravery. The Odyssey Quotes and Analysis "Tell me, why do you weep and grieve so sorely when you hear the fate of the Argives, hear the fall of Troy? In TheOdyssey, why does Odysseus tell Polyphemus that his name is Nobody. After seven years trapped on Calypsos island as her sex-slave, the goddess-nymph and enchantress has agreed to free Odysseus. Some readers argue Odysseus should have shown them the bag in order to avoid the situation, Temptation had its way with [his] companions, and they untied the bag. 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. Analyzes how odysseus shows inadequate leadership qualities throughout the story. In the first place, Odysseus demonstrates his ability to be a good leader by being strong with everything he goes through during the epic. Throughout the entirety of The Odyssey, Odysseus proved to be a strong leader for his men in all the ways he worked with problems and carried his men. In closing, throughout the whole story, Odysseus progresses himself and designates many Greek, While Odysseus is a little arrogant, he can also be a great leader because he is able to trust his second in command, Eurylochus, and give him more power while he is away.