In The Odyssey, Odysseus, the main character must journey from Troy to his homeland of Ithaca. Throughout this journey he learns many lessons, faces obstacles testing his physical and mental strength and grows from an arrogant, self-centered hero into a humble, respectful survivor. With the help of the Gods he is finally able to return to Ithaca as an honorable man.

In Book VI of the Odyssey, Odysseus wakes on the shore of Phaecia. The Goddess Athena has sent the beautiful Nausicaa a dream instructing her to wash clothes in preparation for an upcoming marriage. Athena makes Nausicaa brave and Odysseus handsome bringing them together in order to assist Odysseus to the house of the king. In this particular book the Gods assist Odysseus and he manages to come closer to getting home. Athena helps him out over and over again in Book VI. Everything seems to be done t

In Book VIII, King Alkinoos calls an assembly asking the Phaeacians to help Odysseus. During this meeting there is competition to entertain Odysseus. After being insulted by one of the Phaeacians, ""The reason being, as I see it, friend, you never learned a sport, and have no skill in any of the contests of fighting men" (185). With that, Odysseus throws a discus farther than anyone ever has. "Anyone else for an edge for competition try me now" (186) This proves Odysseus has a problem with his pride. Although this pride does help him throughout his journey, he uses it here as a vice to show others his greatness. His arrogance really shows through here. By insulting his abilities, Phaeacians insulted his manhood and he defended it to the highest degree.

In Book X, foolishness again causes Odysseus trouble. As his Odyssey seems almost over and the men are close to Ithaca, a sack of wind given to Odysseus by Aeolus is unleashed. This blows their ship all the way back to where they started. Odysseus then ends up with Kirke, daughter of the Sun. Kirke turns all the crewmates into pigs and lures Odysseus into her bed. Odysseus 's vice here seems to be his manhood as he ends up sleeping with Kirke for one year until she promises to help him get home. "O Kirke now you must keep your promise, it is time. Help me make sail for home" (224). Kirke tells Odysseus the path to take home and so he is off for another adventure, surviving with the mere thought of eventually returning to his distant home. "Homeward you think we must be sailing to our own land; no, elsewhere is the voyage Kirke has laid upon" (227).

In Book IX, Odysseus encounters the Kyklops

Some common words found in the essay are:
XI Odysseus, Sun Kirke, Goddess Athena, King Alkinoos, IX Odysseus, Nohbdy Nohbdy, Odysseus Athena, Ithaca Throughout, Troy Throughout, Odyssey Odysseus, help odysseus, help gods, vices virtues, homeland ithaca, getting home, odyssey odysseus, assist odysseus, book vi, goddess athena, throughout journey,
Approximate Word count = 1127
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)