Odysseus: A True Leader In Homer's The Odyssey

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Introduction

A person can be a strong leader without actually having to be strong. Exceptional leaders can use cleverness and strategy to win and achieve greatness for them and their men. In Homer’s the Odyssey, the people of Greece and of Ithaca thought that one man, Odysseus, was a hero. He was a good leader to many people, but to his crew especially. He would try his best to motivate them, protect them, and warn them despite not always being heeded. However, Odysseus played his part and did the most he could for the benefit of the crew, making him a fine …show more content…
He uses his wits and intelligence to get his men out of life threatening situations and his cleverness affects the lives of the crew. An instance of this would be when he and the crew were in the Cyclops's cave and during his and Polyphemus’ conversation he asked, “You ask my honorable name? Remember the gift you promised me, and I shall tell you. My name is Nohbdy; mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nohbdy.” (Page 750 lines 827 Fitzgerald Translation of Homer’s The Odyssey abridged version) Odysseus effectively fools the cyclops in believing his name was Nohbdy to ensure that he would not have any grasp on who he really was. Also, in the cyclops's cave, Odysseus makes a plan of escape using Polyphemus’ rams after blinding him. His plan was devised so that he put the crew, “Three abreast I tied them silently together, twining cords of willow from the ogre’s bed: then slung a man under each middle on to ride there safely, shielded left and right.” (Page 752 line 892 Fitzgerald Translation of Homer’s The Odyssey abridged version) Odysseus made sure that the remaining men would make it out alive using his tricks and strategy skills. His cleverness really did save the lives of his crew, and made sure to the best of his ability that they would

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