Did Odyssues Bring The Trouble :: essays research papers

Did Odysseus and his men bring the string of catastrophes on themselves? Yes, they did get themselves into serious trouble. With a pompous attitude, the men prolonged their journey home to Ithaca. Those who did not countenance Odysseus&8217s smarts, died because of this. When they raided the Cicones&8217 village, harassed Poseidon&8217s son, and killed the Helios&8217s cattle, they punished themselves.Odysseus and his men stormed Cicones, and reeked havoc on all that lived there, even the sheep. They killed men who fought, robbed the citizens, and enslaved the women, and slaughtered the livestock, before dividing the loot between them. But this was a fatal mistake, for the Cicones had a great and powerful army. Odysseus&8217s shipmates fought a unverbalized battle, but were defeated in the end. Many of their lives were lost. &8220Six benches were left empty in every ship. Their selfishness cost them friends and shipmates, and make their attempt to get home, even more than difficu lt. After stabbing Polyphemus in his eye and blinding him, Odysseus provoked and harassed the Cyclops, which angered him immensely. &8220 Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, report him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye Laertes&8217 son whose home&8217s on Ithaca, shouted Odysseus to the crippled Polyphemus, which was not very smart. If Odysseus had not told the Cyclops this incriminating information, he would have had a much safer journey. Polyphemus begged his father Poseidon, god of earthquake, to curse Odysseus. The Cyclops cried out to his father to prevent Odysseus from returning home, and pleaded with him to let Odysseus lose his companions. Circe and Tiresias warned Odysseus and his men that it would be grim if the sun god&8217s cattle were harmed. Odysseus urged his men, who were fatigued, to avoid the island of the sun god, Thrinacia. Instead of heeding this warning the men landed on the island, but only after Odysseus made t hem swear not to touch the cattle. On the island, they did not just touch the cattle, they made a meal of them. Helios, the sun god, was infuriated, and he asked for restitution from Zeus. As a punishment for their crimes, the ruler of all gods threw down a bolt of hot lighting and destroyed Odysseus&8217s ships.