Who is Odysseus

A detailed Summary of Who is Odysseus


Who is Odysseus, the protagonist of the Homeric Epic, The Odyssey? From the Illiad, Odysseus is known as the brave and cunning soldier who helped topple the Trojan empire. Yet, in the Odyssey, Odysseus is shown to be a more vulnerable, and thus, more reliable character. Through two specific relationships with women in The Odyssey, light is shed on the character of the hero. It is the Queen of Aeaea, Circe who reveals Odysseus' sexual lure and the Princess of Scheria, Nansicaa who bares his more vulnerable side.

Circe's relationship with Odysseus has to be one of the more erotically charged events in The Odyssey, second to that of Calypso and Odysseus. After failing to transform him into a swine, courageous Odysseus pulls out his sword and thrusts it at the enchantress. Her instinct is to recoil, but she does not do so in fear. Rather, she grows in awe of the sole man to escape her magic. Brimming with the erotic excitement as she discovers it is Odysseus who evaded her potion, she seduces the hero offering her proposal, he has enough sense of mind to reme


The character of Odysseus is revealed through his relationship with Circe as well as his encounter with Nausicaa. Through Circe, Odysseus's sexual prowess is revealed. Imagery of a phallic sword and talk of mounting beds furthers his erotic nature. One might think that all Odysseus craved from women was sex, however, it would be wrong to define Odysseus based on this sole encounter. Take for instance the virginal Nausicaa and her discourse with the Ithican warrior. Through this, Odysseus reveals himself as a humble man in desperate need of help. Nothing of a hulky and seductive hero is suggested. Instead, the true nature of Odysseus is bared. He is a man humbled by his own nudity. Yet, he is also wise in that he chooses his actions carefully and listens to advice even though it is derived from a female. Odysseus is a man worthy of trust because he respects those who respect him and because he is tactful in avoiding scandal.

Nausicaa, Princess of the Phaeacian Island of Scheria, encounters Odysseus in a more subdued environment. Athena has the relatio

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Approximate Word count = 721
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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