Odysseus Leadership In The Odyssey

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In Homer’s famous epic, The Odyssey, the main character, Odysseus, displays multiple examples of poor leadership. For example, during the story “Circe,” the goddess of sorcery tricks some of Odysseus’ men and traps them on her island, and while their leader saves them, he also stays on Circe’s island for a while instead of returning home. The story explains: “Now Circe, ‘loveliest of all immortals,’ persuades Odysseus to stay with her.After many seasons of feasting and other pleasures, Odysseus and his men beg Circe to help them return home” (Homer 675). Odysseus’ actions exemplify his selfishness and how he didn’t help his men escape and go home to their families, but instead chose to indulge in Circe’s paradise. As a result, Odysseus’ leadership ability is reduced because he puts himself above his men. …show more content…
Additionally, during the story, “The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis,” Circe tells Odysseus that six men will perish on their journey through the Sirens’ territory, but he chooses not to tell his men this prophecy. Odysseus explains as they pass through the sea: “But as I sent them on toward Scylla, I told them nothing, as they could do nothing. They would have dropped their oars again, in panic, to roll for cover under the decking.” (Homer 790-794). While some may say that Odysseus’ decision not to tell his men about their ultimate fate exemplified good leadership, this is false because the men had hope that they would get

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