Loyalty Drive

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Final Essay: Bravery, Intelligence, and Loyalty Drive “The Odyssey” Homer’s The Odyssey is an epic tale of action, tragedy, and justice. After fighting in Troy, the main character, Ulysses, embarks on a ten-year-long journey to return home and exact revenge on the suitors who have ravaged his kingdom. He faces many hardships but eventually succeeds in his quest, thanks to his courage, cunningness, and devotion to his cause. This paper will outline the most important virtues, justify their relevance, and then identify them within a few of the epic’s major plot points. Throughout the story, the three virtues—bravery, intellect, and loyalty—prove to be vital to achieving success in his mission and are valued greatly. The Importance of Bravery, …show more content…
The Cyclops At one point in the story, Ulysses and his men find themselves trapped in the cave of Polyphemus, a monstrous cyclops. In Ulysses describes how the Cyclops grabbed two of his men "and dashed them down upon the ground as though they had been puppies" (Homer, 9. Paragraph 19) Displaying the power of the creature. He also states that his men's “brains were shed upon the ground, and the earth was wet with their blood” (Homer, 9, paragraph 19), further illustrating the horror of their predicament. Despite feeling afraid, Ulysses demonstrates his bravery by stating that his initial impulse was to try to kill Polyphemus. More notably, the importance of intelligence is highlighted when he realizes that if he kills the Cyclops, he and his men won't be able to move the stone that seals the cave (Homer). It becomes clear that in order for any of them to escape, they must be freed by the cyclops. Ulysses utilizes his intelligence to escape by saying to Polyphemus, "...you have been eating a great deal of man's flesh, so take this and drink some wine" (Homer, 9. Paragraph 22. Then wait until the cyclops is drunk before stabbing him in the eye, blinding him. Ulysses then decides to tie his men and himself to the bellies of Polyphemus's sheep to escape (Homer). This demonstrates the loyalty that Ulysses has to his men. This entire sequence demonstrates a combination of bravery, intelligence, and loyalty working together to help Ulysses and his men escape …show more content…
She fights through her fears, tears, and sorrow (Homer) to remain loyal. When Ulysses eventually returns to Ithaca disguised as a beggar (Homer), Penelope's loyalty and intelligence are highlighted even more. She reveals to the suitors that whoever can string Ulysses' bow and launch an arrow through twelve axes, she will marry (Homer). Although it is not explicitly stated that Penelope has already recognized her husband at this time, John Vlahos brings up some compelling points that she has already confirmed his identity in this part of the story in his article “Homer's ‘Odyssey': Penelope and The Case for Early Recognition.” The three main points are that the beggar (Ulysses in disguise) acted in a far too assertive manner without stirring a reaction by Penelope. If Eurycleia recognizes Ulysses, then Penelope surely did as Even if this were not the case, Penelope still demonstrates intelligence because she knows that Ulysses is the only man capable of accomplishing the challenge she laid out for the suitors. After Ulysses' identity is officially confirmed by successfully completing the challenge set by Penelope, he and his son use intelligence to steal the suitors' weapons, bravery
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