The Theme of Leadership Portrayed in The Odyssey and the Books of Samuel

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Built-in qualities such as intelligence, good looks, height and so on are not necessary to become a good leader. Anyone can cultivate the proper leadership qualities. In order to excel in their leadership a good leader must possess qualities such as self awareness, courage, confidence, innovation, fairness, openness, and dedication among others. Odysseus in The Odyssey, and Samuel, Saul and David in the Books of Samuel, display these characters. However, at some occasions they fail to do so. That is to say, leaders, being it great or small, chosen by God or people, are not completely perfect.

Self-awareness is one of the leadership qualities portrayed in The Odyssey and the Books of Samuel. Odysseus possesses this quality. Several times in the text Odysseus tells people of his great war stories and obstacles he has been through. Sometimes Odysseus even tells false stories or exaggerates them to tell of his speaking skills, strength and his passions (for war). For example, once Queen Arete asks Odysseus four simple questions, but Odysseus gives an entire speech to answer the questions (Book 7, line 275-352). Also, Odysseus lies to Athena upon his arrival in Ithaca that he is a fugitive because he killed someone in his country (Book 13, line 290-324). Furthermore, Odysseus tells tell to Eumaeus, the loyal swineherd, the false story about how he ends in Ithaca. The story is full of what Odysseus does throughout his journey, with who he fights; who he defeats and so on (Book 14). Odysseus does all of this because he knows that he is capable of doing all he is lying of. He is a man of war, words, and he is aware of it.

However, in the first book of Samuel, Saul does not possess the quality of self awareness. This can be because Saul ...

... middle of paper ...

...e wife all to himself. This isn’t what we call fairness in the leadership. And still God does not punish David for this wrongdoing like he (God) punishes others who offend him.

As portrayed, leadership is the theme that prevails a lot in The Odyssey and the two Books of Samuel. Wars are fought; people are killed just to maintain leadership. The long journey of Odysseus home is all about being a king/leader once again. If he did not care about his throne back in Ithaca, he would just have stayed with Calypso because he got all he wanted. But he travels the seas, overcomes obstacles and so on, to regain once again regain his identity, his pride, his throne. Likewise, David avoids killing Saul several times to maintain his political reputation towards his people. And he succeeds because he is loved by many.

Works Cited
The Odyssey by Homer

Holy Bible, King James

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