Comparison of Odysseus' Character in Different Sourses - Essay Example

As a leader in his Greek empire, Odysseus was strong in terms of leadership and everything that went along with that. He had the capability of winning when it came to events like the wars of Trojan and Troy. Odysseus was a very brave man and besides that, he was patient when it came to decision - making about critical issues, for instance, ‘war’. He was very clever and sly and he also had the capability to convince his men and other people easily, when he knew what he wanted (Sutcliff 67).

Another advantage he had was the ability to address huge crowds successfully. Odysseus always managed to conquer during wars because of his tough strategies before set-offs. His cunning ways of life made it possible for him and his people to take his enemies by surprise all the time, while his patients enabled him to take time and think before setting off or even deciding if a war was worth and necessary (Lambros 89). Odysseus fought in various wars and came out victoriously. This was enough for him to make a hero.

He was truly a hero despite his negative side of life, where he made several mistakes. Every time he went to war, he was able to find his way home successfully while majority of his men died. At one time he refused to leave the battlefield when the war was not going well for him and his people, showing how courageous he was. Every Hero has his faults as nobody is perfect. Although Odysseus was a famous hero with so many characteristics of a winner and a tough man, he made mistakes a few times and wronged people, including his friends and family (Homer & Peter 110).

The bad side of him is portrayed when he was courting Helen and when he could not win her, he took it personally and refused indirectly to help palamedes rescue her from Troy. He also betrayed his friend Ajax by taking away a price that was meant for him for the “Magnificent Armor,” causing Ajax to commit suicide. Killing all his wife’s suitors was a wrong thing to do because he had been away for over twenty years, and nobody was sure about him ever returning back home (Honea 88).