Odysseus is one of the first Greek mythic heroes famed for his brain as well as his brawn. He is a man with a curious mind, and he is also a man with unsettled valor and bravery. In addition to his character, he is a superior athlete as well. Although Odysseus often hesitates before acting he does contain a vast amount of reason and a gift to evaluate situations. Patience is one of his most important characteristics. This patience has saved him and his men many times, and has been illustrated numerous times throughout his travels such as when he disguised himself as a beggar when he finally reached Ithaca, waiting for the right moment to reveal himself.

As great as he was, Odysseus still had some weaknesses that lengthened his voyage back to Ithaca. His most significant weakness he possesses, is that of his pride. Pride is good to have, but in Odysseus' case he had too much of it. This is clearly apparent in the episode on the Cyclopes' island. When Odysseus and his men are clearly sa

Odysseus began his journey by "raiding" a city, but when reinforcements were called in, many of his comrades were killed off. Surviving that he visited the Lotus-Eaters where three of his fell victim to a strange plant. Losing all desire in continuing the journey, they left. When they reached their next destination, an island containing a cave full of goats, they came across a cave dwelling Cyclops. On site, the Cyclops ate two of the men traveling with Odysseus. In order to keep the travelers from leaving; the Cyclops trapped them with a boulder; leaving Odysseus and his men unable to escape. Being clever, Odysseus and his men managed to escape by stabbing the Cyclops in his eye and cling on the undersides of the Cyclops's goats.

While traveling on the seas with his crew, the sounds of the Sirens passed through the air. Odysseus plugged the ears of his men with wax in order to block the sounds of the Sirens, while he was lashed to the mast, powerless from steering them towards disaster. On the island of the Sun, his men ignored all warning and sacrificed cattle. Back at sea, Zeus sent a thunderbolt at the ship, killing everyone but Odysseus. After being thrown into the sea, Odysseus drifted to the shores of Scheria, the island of the Phaecians. After meeting the King of these people's daughter, Naussica, Odysseus was welcomed by King Alcinous and Queen Arete. He stayed at this great land, which was portrayed as a perfect "utopian" society, where he spoke of his past adventures and stories to the royal court and palace of Phaecia. Odysseus was given many gifts and soon set off in a great ship sailed by the people of this great village. He finally reached Ithaca with these great oarsmen rowing him on in their ship and found that he was about to face another challenge. Perhaps even more bothersome than all the previous perils that he has faced outside of Ithaca, was sailing round the great and mighty seas.

At the furthest edge of the ocean's stream was the land where all journey to when they die. With instructions from Circe, Odysseus sacrificed a bleeding lamb into a pit so that he would be able to talk to the blind prophet, who had once accompanied him and his crew. In order to ensure a happy death when his time would come, Odysseus took advice from this prophet. While at the pit, Odysseus met the "shades" of other famous Greeks, including Achilles, the best Greek fighter at Troy.

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Approximate Word count = 1622
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)