One of the main flaws with man is their distrusting spirit. Even Odysseus himself, is distrustful of others when others have not yet proven their trust. Since Calypso has not yet proven her trust to Odysseus, Odysseus does not feel that he should trust her even when her intentions are pure. Because of his distrust, when Calypso was meant to send Odysseus on his way, he made Calypso take an oath and says, "I will never, notwithstanding what you say, set foot upon a raft till you consent, goddess, to swear a solemn oath that you are not meaning to plot me further woe"(48). Even with Calypso just being a messenger of the gods, Odysseus still will not put his trust in her. In order to allow h

While some like to get rid of the enemy quickly, others prefer to destroy the enemy slowly by living off the enemy's good fortune. One might liken this aspect of man to that off a parasite. Just as a parasite lives off its host, so does man live off the wealth and resources of others. The example just given was in the form a simile. Homer similarly, uses epic similes to enhance one's perception of a certain event or character in The Odyssey. Sometimes it is too late for some to recognize man's nature to live off of them before it is too late. Luckily Telemachus is able to realize what the suitors are doing to the house of Odysseus and says, "While [the suitors] with feasting impoverish my home and soon will bring me also to destruction"(5). Telemachus is able to recognize the fact that these suitors will bring the lovely palace of Odysseus to a ruin if he does not stop them, so with the assistance of the host, Odysseus, revenge is taken upon the suitors.

imself to depend on Calypso, he must be assured by the gods that Calypso means no harm.

Along with people having to prove their trust, Odysseus takes away the trust he sets in others and the gods when he is doubtful of himself. Once Odysseus experiences self-doubt, then he undergoes a mental process in which no one may be trusted. This can be overcome once a god makes Odysseus believe in himself again. One of the most prominent examples in The Odyssey where Odysseus looses belief in himself is when he faced with the task of eliminating his house of the suitors. It is then on Athena's shoulders to make Odysseus trust himself and her, a god. She does puts that trust back into the mind of Odysseus when she says, "Men trust weaker friends, friends who are mortal and not wise as I. I am a god and will protect you to the end"(196). The reason why Odysseus is experiencing this self-doubt is because he is trusting people who are weaker than him, and may not be able to live up to their word. With Athena on Odysseus' side, he has nothing to worry about except the worries he places in himself.

Along with taking advantage of the gods' pity, Odysseus also takes advantage of the hospitality and good will of others through their pity for him. As in the case of the Phaeacians, Alcinous feels pity for Odysseus, and through that pity does he gain the favor of the Phaeacians and their aid in getting home. It was not

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Approximate Word count = 1632
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)