Post date: Aug 30, 2016 4:05:10 PM
Odysseus is clever, there is no denying that, but he is also very human. His journey is motivated by his drive to return home to his beloved Ithaca and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus. In turns he is the most level headed of his crew, cautioning them from activities that would be their ruin, saving them from the Lotus Eaters. Other times, his pride causes him to be brash. His taunting of the Cyclops Polyphemus causes Poseidon's wrath to focus on Odysseus, leading to his decade or so of travelling and failing to get home. I would say pride is Odysseus's fatal flaw. It causes him to challenge the gods furthering his own suffering. He is also kind. He seems to genuinely care for his crew as well as strangers met in his travels. He weeps for the dead and tells their stories. He is known for his kindness and welcomes kindness in turn. Odysseus is complex. He lies when he needs to and is always scheming but at the end of his trials, this scheming and cunning man accomplishes his goals and reunites with his family.