Behind the Surface of Odysseus’ Personality Traits An adventure is a tale about great travels; most people don’t think that it involves many characters who are all different. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus goes on a voyage from Troy to get back to his home, Ithaca. Being the main character, his journey has many downfalls and challenges. He, in the end, overcomes all his hardships and reunites with his wife and son. While reading the story it was clear, Odysseus has many well-described characteristics, but he is confident and clever above all.

The first trait of Odysseus that stood out was his confidence. For example, in book 12 Odysseus declares, “They tied me up then, plumb / amidships, back to the, mast, lashed to the mast, / and took themselves again to rowing”(44-46). This shows that, he believed in himself enough to not be afraid of the sirens. This also shows that, he felt that his men were loyal enough to keep him tied. In addition, Odysseus states in book 18, “You sit here, fat / on others’ meat , and cannot bring yourself / to rummage out a crust of bread for me”(15-17). This shows that, he knows he’s a better husband …show more content…
For instance, in book 9 Odysseus thought to himself while in the cyclops’ lair, “If I killed him / we perished there as well, for we could never / move his ponderous doorway slab aside”(204-206). This shows that, he thought ahead so that he could plan their escape route. This also shows that, he his actions would cause him and his men consequences soon after. Furthermore, Odysseus proclaims in book 12 when he and his men approached Charybdis and Scylla,”I / told them nothing, as they could do nothing. / They would have dropped their oars again, in panic”(93-95). This shows that, Odysseus knows how well his men would’ve reacted. This also shows that, he wants to keep following the plan exactly as Circe said. Odysseus is smart enough to get him and his men out of troublesome