Odysseus the Fighter
Odysseus was one of the Greek heroes of the Trojan War, a brave and distinguished fighter, as well as a leader of men. His exploits in battle are described, along with other heroes', in Homer’s earlier work The Iliad. It is through Odysseus’ clever stratagems, however, and not through brute strength, that the war is eventually won. This is the story of the Trojan Horse, a huge wooden horse in which Odysseus and other heroes conceal themselves, as the remaining Greek army appear to retreat. The Trojans, thinking the horse an offering to the gods, drag it into their city. That night, Odysseus and his men emerge from their hiding place within the horse to open the gates of Troy for the waiting Greek army. The story of the wooden horse is told in The Odyssey and later in The Aeneid.
Crafty Odysseus
Odysseus’ mêtis, a Greek term meaning cunning, resourcefulness and facility with words, is shown through the hero’s many exploits. When facing the supernatural strength of the Cyclops, he befuddles the monster with drink, then blinds him while he sleeps. As the giant lets his flock out from the cave, Odysseus and his men escape by hiding underneath the sheep. He shows his resourcefulness and craftsmanship when constructing a raft to leave Calypso’s island. Once back on Ithaca, he does not place his trust blindly in old friends, but proceeds to carefully and craftily test for their loyalty before revealing himself.
Odysseus, Master of Disguise
Odysseus disguises himself many times during the poem, and Helen even tells us how he sneaked into Troy undercover. He is adept at using his quick wits to invent names, places and backgrounds to make his deceit all the more convincing. Odysseus even states that his name is ‘nobody’ when asked by the Cyclops, a clever trick that saves him later when the Cyclops cries for help from his neighbours:
‘“Well then,” came the immediate reply, “if you are alone and nobody is assaulting you, you must be sick” (The Odyssey, Book 9, 410)
This ability to humble himself, to deny the hero’s need to constantly self-assert, to take on the role of a nobody or a humble beggar, is something that other Homeric heroes could not tolerate. Unlike them, Odysseus knows when to lie low, with only a few (rather disastrous) exceptions.
Proud Odysseus –The Homeric Hero
Odysseus may have the ability to swallow pride and disguise himself, but it is this very pride that is perhaps his greatest flaw. He cannot bear the thought that his crafty accomplishments should go unknown. Thus, once the disguise has served its purpose, he reveals himself spectacularly with a mighty boast. So, he tells the Phaeacians:
“I am Odysseus, Laertes’ son. The whole world talks of my stratagems, and my fame has reached the heavens.” (The Odyssey, Book 9, 19)
Unfortunately, Odysseus is not a very good judge of which situations call for boasting and which do not. Amongst the Phaeacians, it earns him gifts. With the Cyclops, it brings down a terrible curse and the enmity of the god Poseidon. It is this misplaced boast that brings about the destruction of his entire fleet, the loss of all his men, and years of suffering before he finally reaches home.
Odysseus the Smooth Talker
Odysseus’ mêtis includes the ability to talk his way out of or into anything. At several points, his eloquent speeches gain him admiration and respect, as well as a wealth of gifts. In Homeric society, a hero might prove his importance and worth through the valuable gifts he can procure from visiting other princes and kings. Gifts were part of the code of hospitality, and expected, but the quality of the gift depended upon the quality of the hero.
Odysseus, Favourite of Athena
Another measure of a hero is whether or not he merits divine favour, as well as the standing of the god or goddess who champions him. Odysseus is the special favourite of the goddess Athena, an important deity in the Greek pantheon. In many ways she is the female, godly version of Odysseus, a combination of martial prowess, cunning and intelligence.
The Long-Suffering Odysseus
The name Odysseus can be connected to a Greek word ‘odussomai’, meaning ‘to suffer pain,’ and this is used as a pun several times in the poem. Odysseus is a hero condemned to suffer much anguish and sorrow. This is another important aspect of Odysseus’ character, his ability to endure and to soldier on, never losing sight of his goal. On Calypso’s island, Odysseus waits for years before he is released, even turning down the goddess’ offer of immortality. Whatever he faces, Odysseus remains firm in his desire to reach his home and see his longed-for family again.
Sources and Further Reading
Sheila Murnaghan’s introduction to The Odyssey, trans. Stanley Lombardo. (2000) Hackett: Indiana
Peter Jones’ introduction (1991) to The Odyssey, trans. E. V. Rieu. (2003) Penguin Classics. London: Penguin
Homer. The Odyssey, trans. E. V. Rieu. (2003) Penguin Classics. London: Penguin
Victoria Hooper - Victoria Hooper is the acquisitions editor and acting editor for Polluto, a Spectrum Fantastic Arts award winning magazine published by ...
