Oeydeusseuss essaey

Kait Carr
Odyssey essay rough draft
Sophomore English
20 May 2008

Odysseus has three main character traits in the heroic novel, "The Odyssey". Odysseus obtains all of these traits without even realizing it. Egotistical, strong willed, and even loving, these are all traits of the heroic Odysseus.
Odysseus is extremely self assured of his ability and luck, especially during the beginning of the book. After stabbing the Cyclops in his only eye Odysseus can't help but reveal his real name, "I say Cyclops! if ever any one asks who put out your ugly eye, tell him your blinder was Odysseus, the conqueror of Troy, the sun of Laertes; who's address is in Ithaca" (110). When it comes to his abilities Odysseus constantly brags about himself throughout the novel. In fact you can always count on Odysseus to never miss a chance to tell about his intellect and bravery to random strangers.
Odysseus may be self assured but at the same time he can also be very loving. For instance, Odysseus always makes sure his crew members use there heads and try their hardest to survive. Odysseus also makes sure all of his hosts have pardon from the gods by praying for them “I wish you well also my friend. May the gods give you happiness" (96). Odysseus is very caring when it comes to his family; he risks his life in order to take revenge on the horrible suitors who troubled his family for so many years.
The first thing someone would think when they start reading this book, is that Odysseus is just another cocky Greek on a power hungry rant through Greece. Witch that is all right, but the second thing someone would notice is that Odysseus is a very driven man who pushes himself to the limit to achieve his goals. Odysseus survives through twenty years of journey to arrive at one point, his family and home. When Odysseus finally arrives home as a feeble old beggar, he is appalled to see that he must defeat the clamorous throng of petulant suitors who have ransacked his house and been improvident to his family. But Odysseus, even after battling the suitors, knows though his journey has subsided it is not yet over, for he must journey all over to fine men who know nothing about sailing "Dear wife we have not yet reached the end of our labors. There still remains a task which I cannot measure, difficult and dangerous, but I must go through to the end. The soul of Teresa’s the prophet told me, on the day when I went to house of Hades and asked his advice for out homeward voyage. But come to our bed, my wife, that we may have the delight of sleeping side by side" (258).
It is obvious that Odysseus has many character traits throughout the novel, but only three stood out to me. That the son of Laertes was somewhat of an emotional man when it came to his family. Odysseus was pretty egotistical in the beginning of the book but i think that he kind of mellowed out along the way. And finally throughout the book you see that even though the character had some flaws, no matter what, he pushed himself though them making him an extremely determined man that should be looked up to.