The Odyssey Group

Question:


catlover
Student
High School - 10th Grade

 What are three reasons why Odysseus' arrogance is a character flaw for him.  Provide three specific episodes from The Odyssey.

I would prefer if you choose episodes from Books 9, 10, 12, 21,  22, and 23, seeing as those are the only ones I have access to.

Please help! Thanks

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Posted by catlover on Tuesday June 9, 2009 at 4:22 PM and tagged with arrogance, literature, odysseus, the odyssey.

Answers:

  1. bullgatortail
    bullgatortail Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    Arrogance is generally considered at least a minor character flaw in virtually anyone, and the hero of Homer's The Odyssey is no exception. Following the Greek victory at Troy, Odysseus boasts of his military prowess and refuses to present a sacrifice to the gods as thanks. Poseidon is particularly angered by his human pride. Odysseus could not contain himself after he had blinded Polyphemus the Cyclops, a son of Poseidon, bragging as his ship sailed away that his sight had been taken by the "great Odysseus." Polyphemus responded by tossing a boulder that nearly sunk the ship. Odysseus was later punished by Poseidon for mutilating his son. Another example of Odysseus' arrogance was his insistence on hearing the singing of the seductive Sirens. Warned that the Sirens' song was deadly, he demanded that his men fill their ears with wax to avoid the music; Odysseus then ordered them to strap him to the mast so that he could hear their song but could not follow them or subsequently drown himself.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/odyssey/summary-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/odyssey/themes

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    Posted by bullgatortail on Friday October 23, 2009 at 7:47 PM