The Odyssey

They Are One In The Same

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In books nine through sixteen of the Odyssey, I noticed that Odysseus has a few traits which resemble Achilles. Specifically, his hubris demeanor and his glory seeking personality, which he illustrates during the narration of his great adventures trying to find home. Like Achilles, Odysseus's misadventures are due to hubris and kleos. For example, his adventure to the Island of Cyclops, when Odysseus recalls the spear that he pierced the eye of Polyphemus with to King Alkoonis. His recollection of the spear is so exaggerated I cracked a smile of laughter. I don't even think Achilles could have handled this missile, "It was like a mast a lugger of twenty oar... I held this in fire's heart and turned it, toughening it." The exaggeration of the weight and size of the spear is important to note, as this shows Odysseus's assertion of strength and power. Further more, when Odysseus says the he "held" the spear into the fire, "toughening it," the bravado is so unwavering, that for me, it's a clear sign of Odysseus's hubris. As fro his glory-seeking personality, the only reason Odysseus and his crew is stuck in the cave with the man eating Cyclops is that Odysseus "wished to see the caveman." When Odysseus decides to see the Cyclops, he chose to endanger the lives of his crew so he could have more adventures to tell. Most importantly, it was for the benefit of his glory. Odysseus's avarice for kleos blinded his actions, as he is a very clever man. He of all people should have known not to be sticking around after breaking into someone's lair. I thought that Odysseus and Achilles are very similar, as they admire themselves, and with to be admired by others.