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Zach Popp
Mr. Proczko
Archetypes in Literature, Period 7
8 April 2015
The Tragic Hero
Neil Armstrong once said, Well, I think we try very hard not to be overconfident,
because when you get overconfident, thats when something snaps up and bites you(Armstrong).
The king of Ithaca, Odysseus, a very overpowering well rounded smart man is yet very
overconfident throughout his journey in the Odyssey. Odysseus journey filled with many
unforgettable memories started on his land of Ithaca. From here him and his men travel to Troy
to fight in the Trojan War. Odysseus journey had just begun when the war ended. From Troy him
and his men began their way home which lasted approximately ten years of never ending
endeavors before he arrived home. Although Odysseus represents a strong, brave, and
determined man, he has many flaws that prolong his journey home, such as his overpowering
confidence, unloyalty to Penelope, and disregard for the gods.
Odysseus may be a well rounded man, but his mouth and strong confidence hinder him
on his way back to Ithaca. When Odysseus defeated the Cyclops Polyphemus, he mocks and
disrespects him with great confidence. Odysseus starts yelling at Polyphemus saying, you had
no scruple to devour your guest in your own house, therefore vengeance has fallen upon you
from Zeus and the gods in heaven! knowing it would provoke him (Homer 117). Since
Odysseus said this to Polyphemus he became very upset. Poseidon, Polyphemus father, then
reeked havoc on Odysseus life with the snap of his fingers making it even harder for Odysseus

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to make it home. Odysseus believes that he is the most powerful mortal and that he can say
whatever he wants without any repercussions. Aside from making Polyphemus feel like a fool,
Odysseus tells his entire life story such as that he's the conqueror of Troy,sun of Laertes, who's
address is in Ithaca!(117). Odysseus thoughtlessly gives this information, which in turn added
valuable time to his journey. Also having the potential to end his life and all of his crew
members. Without a doubt, Odysseus presumptuous attitude greatly hinders him on his way
home.
Odysseus expresses his love for his wife to the people around him; however, during his
voyage home to Ithaca he is very disloyal to Penelope. Odysseus becomes very distraught
because he cannot see Penelope but he still has sexual encounters with other women; therefore,
he displays the character flaw of disloyalty. While stranded on the goddess Calypsos Island, his
opportunity to go home to Ithaca comes. Rather than being excited to go home, he and Calypso
enjoyed their love together on her island (64). Since Odysseus partook in the activity of love
with another women besides his wife Penelope, he displays his flaw of disloyalty to his wife.
During the time Odysseus was away, Penelope remained loyal to Odysseus even though
everyone questioned if he was alive. Odysseus also proves his disloyalty to Penelope during his
voyage home when he made a deal with Circe so she would not do horrible things to him. He
entered the bed of Circe where they enjoyed their infatuations for each other (128). Odysseus
displays how his infatuations with other women mean more to him then his true love, because he
not only stayed in her bed for one night but almost a whole year. As one can see, Odysseus
infatuations outweigh his love in almost any given situation.

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Odysseus believes that hes so mighty and powerful that he can disregard the gods
without anything in return. Poseidon, the god of the sea, is annoyed by the fact that Odysseus
disregards the gods and makes his journey home a thousand times harder. Poseidon promised
him to give [Odysseus] a run of bad luck while approaching Phaiacia (68). This displays how
Poseidon hates Odysseus and how he just wants to increase the time and the difficulty for him to
make it home. Poseidon made sure to keep his rein of terror upon Odysseus because he harmed
his son Polyphemus. Polyphemus calls out to his father Hear me, Poseidon Earthholder
Seabluehair! If I am truly thy son, and thou art indeed my father, grant that Odysseus the
conqueror of Troythe son of Laerteswhose address is in Ithaca, may never reach his
home!(118). Poseidon despises Odysseus and tries to make his journey home increasingly
difficult. Poseidon sees this as a disregard for his son which greatly infuriates him. In conclusion,
Odysseus disregard for the gods greatly impacts his voyage home in a negative way.
Although Odysseus may be a war hero, he also is a very flawed man, which in the end
prolongs his journey back home to Ithaca. Disregard for the gods, infatuation, and
overconfidence are just some of the things that hinder Odysseus on his journey home. At the
same time, Odysseus never gave up through the hardest situations that the gods and goddess put
him in through. All in all, Odysseus portrays a very heroic man but still has his flaws, as well to
just about everything and everyone on earth. Odysseus, a very powerful man mentally and
physically, still has many flaws that he has to over come to make it home to Ithaca.

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Works cited
Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. W. H. D. Rouse. New York: First Signet Classics Printing, 2007.
Print.
"Neil Armstrong." BrainyQuote.com. Xplore Inc, 2015. 10 April 2015.