The Odyssey: Odysseus Learns Patience, The Sanctity Of Life, And Humility

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

and his crew, some how or another, got into battles with the inhabitants of the islands. While he is in Hades, Elpenor, his dead crew member, tells Odysseus to bury him or he may “draw up God’s vengeance upon (him)!”(125). When Odysseus leaves Hades he goes back to bury his friend. This is the first time that we see Odysseus paying respect to one of his crew after their death. The many times before when Odysseus’ crew members would die, the death was taken lightly and casually overlooked. Following his decent, Odysseus rarely drew his sword unless it is necessary and just. He is still as powerful and as cunning as before, but he faced death and did not take it as recklessly as before. Odysseus demonstrates this when he spares the life of the Phemios Therpiadęs, the minstrel, during the battle in the hall.
Odysseus also learned humility while on his journey. When Odysseus first left Ithaca he was a fearless warrior that believed himself to be wondrous. After his success ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

CITE THIS PAGE: