Odysseus's Selfishness: a Deeper Look into The Flawed Hero

Throughout Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, Odysseus stands out as a hero brimming with cleverness and courage. But there's more to him than meets the eye. Behind all those heroic deeds, he hides a pretty big flaw - selfishness. Even though Odysseus is undoubtedly a talented leader and warrior, some of his choices show us a darker side. Let's dive into instances where Odysseus acts selfishly in the story, what they mean, and how they reveal his imperfections.

The Allure of Self-Preservation

A theme that pops up often in The Odyssey is Odysseus's drive to save his own skin, even if others pay the price. Take the Cyclops Polyphemus episode as an example. After blinding him to escape, Odysseus brags, "Cyclops— if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so— say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye" (Homer 9.502-505). Here, he's chasing after glory instead of thinking about his crew's safety. When he tells Polyphemus who did it, he's putting everyone at risk since Polyphemus's dad is Poseidon—a god who's not exactly forgiving.

Another time you see his selfish streak? When he wants to hear the Sirens' song. He has his men block their ears with wax and ties himself to the mast just so he can listen without getting into trouble. This decision puts his crew in danger just so he can have a moment of pleasure.

The Betrayal of Trust

Odysseus doesn’t just think about himself; he also breaks the trust people place in him. Remember Circe? She turns his men into pigs and seduces Odysseus into staying with her for a whole year! During this time, he forgets all about going home and helping his men. His desire for comfort takes precedence over their safety.

Then there's Calypso. He spends seven years on her island enjoying her company but never really commits to her. He's only there because it's easier than facing more challenges on his way home. Using Calypso like that shows just how self-serving Odysseus can be.

The Tragic Cost of Selfishness

You might think some of Odysseus’s actions aren't a big deal or even justified in certain situations. But they come with serious consequences for him and others. After blinding Polyphemus and revealing who he is, the Cyclops curses him: "If it is the will of Zeus that you shall see your home again... then by some stratagem or strength you may come to your own country" (Homer 9.548-552). This curse brings lots of hardships and delays to Odysseus's journey home—and costs many lives among his men.

His betrayal towards Circe and Calypso also means more time away from Penelope, his wife waiting back home in Ithaca. By putting personal desires ahead of marriage commitments, he loses precious years with her—causing emotional pain not only for Penelope but also showing how tragic these choices are.

In Conclusion

No doubt about it—Odysseus goes through amazing adventures full of heroism throughout The Odyssey. Still though—it’s important not forgetting what lies beneath: flaws that show up when we least expect them do matter too! His self-preservation instincts alongside broken promises ultimately lead down paths lined by destruction both personally AND professionally speaking here folks… By looking closer at where exactly these moments pop up during readings together maybe even start questioning whether heroes truly embody ‘selflessness’ OR carry around bits n pieces human imperfections within themselves?

Bibliography

• Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin Books, 1996.
• Schein, Seth L., ed. Reading the Odyssey: Selected Interpretive Essays. Princeton University Press, 1996.
• Murnaghan, Sheila. Disguise and Recognition in the Odyssey. Lexington Books, 1987.
• Ahlgren Neumann, Eva Johanna Terwogt Puthoff et al.. The Sirens Song: A Guide To Eco-Ethical Decision Making In Times Of Change.. Environment And Society.. Vol 23 Issue January/February pp15–29 . Taylor & Francis ,2007 .
  

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