Circe and Odysseus engage in a heated argument over the fact that Circe transforms his companions into pigs. Circe refuses to reverse the spell unless Odysseus sleeps with her. During their dispute, Odysseus declares, “How dare you ask me to treat you warmly? You, who changed my men into swine in your own abode, now hold me captive with deceit. You tempt me into your chamber, urging me to lay on your bed” (10. 7477). Although enraged with Circe, Odysseus reluctantly complies with her demands in order to rescue his men, highlighting his unwavering loyalty to his comrades.
Another way Odysseus demonstrates loyalty is by expressing his love for Penelope, even though there is no comparison between her and Calypso. He tells Calypso, “Look at my wise Penelope. She falls far short of you, your beauty, stature. She is mortal after all and you, you never age or die… Nevertheless long I pine, all my days to travel home and see the dawn of my return” (5.239-243). This quote reveals that Odysseus remains loyal to Penelope despite Calypso’s offer for him to stay with her. He loves Penelope and remains devoted to returning home to her. Overall, Odysseus exemplifies compassion and care.
Odysseus demonstrates that beneath his powerful role, he possesses a great deal of compassion. This was evident when he reunited with his housekeepers. They eagerly emerged from their quarters, holding torches and wrapping their arms around Odysseus. They embraced him tightly, expressing their joy at his return by kissing his head and shoulders. The housekeepers grasped his hands, causing him to be overwhelmed by a deep longing and in turn breaking down into tears. These emotions sprung from the knowledge in Odysseus’ heart that these individuals were not just servants, but rather, they were akin to his own family.
The statement that showcases Odysseus’ compassion is, “Many cities of men he saw and learned their minds, many pains he suffered, heart sick on the open sea fighting to save his life and bring his comrades home.” (1. 46). This quote summarizes Odysseus’ fight to return home and rescue his men. Throughout the book The Odyssey, Odysseus has demonstrated his cleverness and intelligence. To be cunning means to be smart in a cunning way. A prime example of this is when Odysseus devises a plan to get the cyclops drunk and blind him in a dire situation in Polyphemus’ cave, and successfully executes it.
After Odysseus devises a plan to conceal his true identity, he declares, “So you inquire of me, Cyclops, the name by which I am known? I shall reveal it to you, but only if you grant me what you promised: nobody, that is my name, Nobody as my parents and friends call me” (9. 407411). This quotation refers to Odysseus cunningly deceiving the Cyclops by adopting the alias of “Nobody” in order to avoid trouble or harm. Odysseus successfully evades detection because the Cyclops exclaims, “Nobody is hurting me,” leading others to believe that Polymorphous is not under any threat.
Odysseus is highly intelligent, as demonstrated when he told a suitor, “I too once lived in a lofty house that men admired; rolling in wealth I’d often give to a vagabond like myself, whoever he was, whatever need had brought him to my door. And crowds of servants I had, and lots of all it takes to live the life of ease, to make men call you rich. But Zeus ruined it all gods will no doubt.” (9. 8286) This quote exemplifies Odysseus’s cunning nature as he disguised himself as a beggar to convey to the suitor that one can go from being at the pinnacle one day, while pushing others towards the bottom, to unexpectedly finding oneself at the bottom with those same people.
Odysseus aimed to impart a lesson to the suitor – that everyone is equal and should not be judged. Odysseus possesses all the qualities that define a hero – loyalty, compassion, and cunning. Loyalty is crucial for a hero as it ensures they remain true to their promises. Compassion allows a hero to empathize with those they are saving or the circumstances they face. Additionally, a hero must possess intelligence to devise well-rounded plans. Despite encountering setbacks resulting from his excessive pride, Odysseus emerges as a savior.
