The Qualities of Odysseus in Homer's The Odyssey

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Being separated from someone for long periods of time is quite depressing, but imagine being away from your special someone for 20 years. The 10 years it took to fight the Trojan War were anything but easy for Odysseus, the hero of The Odyssey written by the poet Homer. The venture home was much worse due to encounters with monsters such as the Cyclops Polyphemus, raging storms, challenges from forceful gods and goddesses, and setbacks due to foolishness and pride. Odysseus displays many qualities through-out his journey home, some negative and others positive. In “The Homecoming,” Odysseus reveals his great courage, intelligence, and strength.
Odysseus displays courage in many events throughout “The Homecoming”. He shows courage when he takes the bow in his hand to try hitting the target despite what the suitors were saying: “Now flashed arrow from twanging bow clean as a whistle through every socket ring, and grazed not one, to thud with heavy brazen head beyond.” (The Test of the Bow, Page 429, Lines 216-219) He also shows courage as he says, “So much for that. Your clean-cut ga...

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