Arguably the greatest or, at least, most famous hero of Greek mythology,

Odysseus was known for intelligence, cool under pressure, and incredible strength.

The Latin form of his name is Ulysses. Although born as the son of Laertes, king

of Ithaca and Anticlea, myth insinuates that Odysseus might have been the

illegitimate son of Sisyphus, founder of Corinth. If that were so, it would explain

Odysseus's craftiness and intelligence. According to mythological accounts,

Sisyphus outsmarted Thanatos and Hades(Cotterel 141).

Odysseus was one of the suitors for Helen's hand when Paris took her away

to Troy. Thus, he was bound to aid in rescuing her. Odysseus, however, feigned

insanity to avoid the responsibility. Odysseus is characterized as not only crafty

and cunning, but wise and one who gives good advice(Clayton 147).

Odysseus had a part in resolving the Trojan war. Mainly speaking, the

Trojan horse was his brainchild. However, even before that event, Odysseus was

called upon to accomplish tasks of diplomacy and spying. It was Odysseus who led

a party to Achilles in an attempt to bring about peace. It was also he that first lept

out of the Trojan horse that he had conceptualized. At the resolution of the war,

stemming from Achilles' death, Odysseus obtained his armor using the power of

his persuasion (Clayton 147).

Traveling home from Troy, Odysseus came upon and island inhabited by a

Cyclops named Polyphemus, son of the god Poseidon. Unaware about that fact,

Odysseus and his men wandered into the Cyclops' lair where they waited for him

to return. At last, the Cyclops came, "hideous and huge, tall as a great mountain

crag" (Hamilton 82).

Polyphemus responded to Odysseus' declarations of good intentions with

mockery and even rambled off about how he was bigger than Zeus. Polyphemus

then proceeded to eat one of Odysseus' men and closed the cave with a "huge

stone before the door, and if the horrified men had been able to summon courage

and strength enough to kill him they would have been imprisoned in there forever"

(Hamilton 83).

Odysseus watched the grisly display of his men being eaten for several days,

and decided that something must be done. He and his men sharpened a large log

and formulated a plan to escape. One night, Odysseus offered Polyphemus his

personal wine. The Cyclops drank till he fell into a drunken daze and finally

collapsed into a deep sleep. Odysseus' remaining men took to the task of setting

the wooden point on fire, heating it to a glowing ember. In no time, the spike was

nearly bursting in flames. Odysseus and his men then drove the big fiery stick into

the Cyclops' single eye.

At once, Polyphemus awakened from his slumber and cried a mighty shout.

He tried to find Odysseus and his men, but because he was blind, there was no

helping his situation. Polyphemus resigned to uncovering the entrance of his cave

and sitting in front of it with his hands reached out in expectation. Little did he

know that Odysseus had already formulated a plan for this eventuality. The next

morning, Odysseus and his men strapped themselves to the bottoms of the

Cyclops' sheep and were carried off into the pastures without Polyphemus ever

suspecting. As soon as Odysseus reached his ship and launched out to see, he

taunted in a loud voice " Cyclops, Odysseus, wrecker of cities, put out your eye,

and do you so tell anyone who asks" (Hamilton 84). Polyphemus heaved large

boulders at Odysseus' ship that just barely missed. Odysseus traveled safely from

that island.

Naturally, Poseidon, god of the sea, learned about all the utterly hideous

actions that had been taken against his son, Polyphemus. As his revenge,

Odysseus spent the next ten years in vain, trying to return home. Over the course

of this time, Odysseus encountered many creatures and visited many places

including the lotus eaters, the witch of Circe, the land of the cannibals, the rocks of

the Sirens, and the island of Calypso. From this last predicament, only Odysseus

escaped (Cotterel 141).

In returning to his realm in Ithaca, Odysseus learned that his wife had 108

suitors, all demanding that she give herself to one of them. She promised them that

she would reveal her choice when she had finished weaving a certain shroud.

However, she obviously wished not to remarry, for every night, she undid the

progress of that day (Clayton 147).

Odysseus disguised himself as a beggar and went into the city where his

dog recognized him and he revealed himself to his son, Eumaeus (Hamilton 216).

In dealing with the suitors, Odysseus, still in disguise, suggested to his wife

Penelope, that she finally hold an archery contest to determine a worthy suitor.

The competition would use Odysseus' own bow. When it transpired that no one

could bend the bow, Odysseus stepped out of disguise and killed all the suitors.

After this heroic deed, Odysseus drove all doubt away that he was the real thing by

describing "secrets of the nuptial chamber" to Penelope (Clayton 147).

After fulfilling his obligations in his homeland, Odysseus sought to

"appease his last enemy, the god Poseidon". Odysseus constructed and dedicated

an altar in Poseidon's honor (Clayton 147.

The story of Odysseus is one of adventure, perseverance, and loyalty. For

ten years, Odysseus undertook the proverbial night sea journey and faced

unimaginable hardships, losing his ship and all his crewmen. Though it took 20

years to return, Penelope, his wife, waited faithfully for his return. She never lost

hope and was requited by Odysseus' actions in relation to Calypso (she offered to

marry him and he refused despite her wealth and beauty).

Odysseus' tale is also one that clearly follows that of the typical hero cycle.

Odysseus has an odd birth, he's rumored to be a bastard. He's called to adventure

when he goes to fight in Troy. There, his talents really blossom and he goes

through many a brother battle. In his trip home, he participates in many dragon

battles. He has supernatural as well as mortal help in the form of Athena, Calypso

(Hamilton 205-206), and his numerous crewmen who eventually all perished

(Cotterel 141). In the end he is, in a sense, resurrected (everyone thought he was

dead)(Clayton 147). And he presents himself to his father in an act of father

atonement. His boon consists of his acquired knowledge and experience.

In conclusion, the hero cycle can, perhaps, be better applied to Odysseus

than most other Greek characters. Odysseus fulfills every essence of the hero

cycle. I think there is much to learn from practical application of Odysseus' deeds.

For example, one thing we still say that stems from the Trojan horse is: "Beware

Greeks bearing gifts". Odysseus' life is truly awe inspiring. It's the way he

engaged in his adventure, with undying hope and limitless courage, that spurs us

all to live lives of higher virtue.

Bibliography

Clayton, Peter. Great Figures of Mythology: New York: Crescent Books.

Cotterel, Arthur. Myth & Legends: New York: Macmillan publishing, 1989.

Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: New York: Penguin, 1980.

Fung, Jon. Mythology in Context: Corvallis: Penguin, 1989