Role Of Loyalty In The Odyssey

Words: 1824
Pages: 8
Open Document
What does loyalty mean to you? When would a person show loyalty to someone? Why wouldn’t someone show loyalty? In The Odyssey, written by Homer, you follow the legendary Odysseus and his journey on his way home to Ithaca from the Trojan War. On his way back, he faces many challenges with his crew by his side. He meets many awesome people that help him significantly, but he also meets some horrible people that put him in a lot of danger. To get out of those rough times, he puts a lot of responsibility of his crew. On the trip home, Odysseus’ crew tries to help him out as much as they can, but sometimes he doesn’t do things that leaders are supposed to do. Odysseus does not deserve loyalty from his crew because he makes bad decisions, puts them …show more content…
Making bad decisions is one of these hurtful things. One of these decisions is when him and his crew visit the Cyclops' cave. He actually made two bad decisions at the Cyclops' cave. First, the overall decision to go into the cave and try to find the Cyclops. “There we built a fire, set our hands on the cheese, / offered some to the gods and ate the bulk ourselves / and settled down inside, awaiting his return…” - (9.260-262). This was not a smart choice because they have never meet a cyclopes before, and then when they just walk into its cave it probably won’t make it very happy. This got 4 of his crew members killed by doing this. Next, when the crew is leaving the island and Odysseus yells out his name to tell the Polyphemus. Odysseus yells, “‘Cyclops - / if any man on the face of the earth should ask you / who blinded you, shamed you so - you say Odysseus, / raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, / Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca!’” - (9.558-562). The only thing that came out of telling him his name was now the Cyclops could pray to his dad, Poseidon, about who to kill - which is bad. There was no point in saying his name at all. And when he did do this, Odysseus almost got them all killed, twice, when the Cyclopes threw the huge boulders back at them. A leader who puts his followers in dangerous situations time after time, does not …show more content…
He does not deserve any loyalty from them. If someone doesn’t like you, there is no way you can like them back. And if that person keeps putting you in great danger because of his poor leadership, there is no reason you should show them loyalty. From (10.100-133) when 11 of the 12 ships got destroyed by the Laestrygonians in the dangerous cove, shows this very well. “Here the rest of my rolling squadron steered, / right into the gaping cave… But I alone anchored my black ship outside, / well clear of the harbor’s jaws / … Down from the cliffs they flung great rocks a man could hardly hoist / and ghastly shattering din rose up from all the ships - ” After Odysseus sensed danger, he just stayed out of the cove, letting the rest of his crew to go in and get killed. If a leader lets his crew get killed without putting up a fight, he is very selfish and doesn’t care about anyone but himself. If Odysseus wants to see loyalty from his crew, he is going to have to treat them with more appreciation. Also, about midway through the book, when Odysseus sent his crew ahead of them and they got turned into pigs, is another example of this. “We quickly shook lots in a bronze helmet - / the lot of brave Eurylochus leapt out first / … Once they’d drained the bowls she filled, suddenly / she struck with her wand, drove them into her pigsties, / all of them bristling into swine -” - (10.225-263). A good
Show More

Related Documents: Role Of Loyalty In The Odyssey

Loyalty Drive

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…

Words 2632 - Pages 11

The Pivotal Role Of Women In Homer's Odyssey

Women play a pivotal role in the Odyssey. Whether they are mortal women or goddesses their actions have heavy consequences in the turn of events throughout plot of the Odyssey. This is apparent from the beginning with the rape of king Priam’s daughter, Cassandra. This incident enrages the goddess Athena against the Greeks consequently delaying Odysseus's return to Ithaca. Athena‘s soft spot for Odysseus persuades her to encourage Telemachus to venture out to find his father, who she knows is on his…

Words 582 - Pages 3

The Odyssey Essay FINAL Draft

Jessi Zirker Pre­AP English P. 2 March 11th, 2015 The Odyssey Essay The Time to be Heard As alpha is to omega: men are to women. The constant fight for rights, a voice, even freedom has lived on throughout history up until today. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer translated by Robert Fitzgerald women are seen as nothing more than a boatload of problems. Whether this belief rooted from Pandora releasing all things bad into the world, or Eve being the root of sinful nature,…

Words 1861 - Pages 8

The Odyssey - Gender Roles Essay

The Odyssey is the product of a society in which the dominant role was played by men. In ancient Greece, just as in the whole of the ancient world, and in America and Western Europe until the last century, women occupied a subservient position. Society was organized and directed by men, and all of the most important enterprises were those which men arranged and implemented. Women were valued, but they participated in the affairs of the world only when they had the tacit or open approval and permission…

Words 902 - Pages 4

Odysseus Epic Hero

particular plays a role in The Odyssey by Homer. This epic hero is Odysseus. Odysseus is an example of an epic hero. First of all, Odysseus is an epic hero because of his loyalty to his friends and crew. On his way back to Ithaca, Odysseus encounters the island of the Lotus Eaters. The Lotus Eaters are friendly creatures who invite wayward travelers onto their island and offer them their lotus flower blossom.…

Words 753 - Pages 4

Odysseus As A Hero In Beowulf And Homer's Odyssey

A hero is in every shape and form, which lies throughout many stories and or movies. A hero can be someone very important “Beowulf” and “Odyssey” we see these characters acting and doing what a hero is to their people and the things they have gone throughout their stories to the people. A hero, is brave; courageous but more importantly shows intelligence. When we refer to someone as a hero it means that they aren’t afraid to step up and perceive to be in the wrong, regardless of the situation they…

Words 898 - Pages 4

Examples Of Heroism In The Odyssey

Odysseus is known for his bravery, cunning, and strategic thinking. He displays heroism through his epic adventures, such as his role in the Trojan War and his journey back home to Ithaca. Odysseus faces numerous challenges and overcomes them with his intelligence and resourcefulness.On the other hand, Penelope's heroism lies in her unwavering loyalty, strength, and resilience. While Odysseus is away, she remains faithful to him and fends off suitors who try to take advantage of his absence. Penelope's…

Words 227 - Pages 1

Character Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

In literature, there are many traits that define a character. In the epic poem The Odyssey, by Homer, it tells of a man whose mission is to return home after an interminable twenty years of fighting in the Trojan War. During those times, he has to overcome a numerous amount of obstacles. The main character, Odysseus, has a substantial selection of traits, but ultimately it is his courageous, intelligent, and loyal acts that lead him and his men to success. In the epic, Odysseus portrays the image…

Words 730 - Pages 3

Essay Odysseus

Angela Sun Reading Cultures 29 January 2015 Essay One Infidelity and revenge in The Odyssey as explored through a gendered lens In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, a war hero by the name of Odysseus attempts to return to his wife and son in Ithaca. Littered throughout the poem are short anecdotes told by humans, bards, and gods. From the suicide of Ajax to the revenge of Orestes, these recounts serve to enrich The Odyssey’s already fantastical and mythical tone. Interestingly, several of these tales…

Words 1271 - Pages 6

The Role Of Women In Homer's Odyssey

Women have always had a role of loyalty, cleverness and a way to help out one another. They did not just get that from evolution but by keeping the ways from the great women before them. Three women in particular come to mind, their names are Circe, Penelope and Athena. These women have done a lot to affect the way women have been and are portrayed today. The Odyssey is a great way to see the roles of these women and how they also reflect ancient Greek values. Women in ancient Greece were treated…

Words 676 - Pages 3