Angelica Niedermeyer

Odyssey Essay
Mrs. Anderson
December 2, 2016

An unknown person once said, To be in your childrens memories tomorrow, you

need to be in their lives today. This quote relates to Homers character, Odysseus. In

the Odyssey, he was absent in Telemachuss and Penelopes lives, respectively. When

Odysseus was not present, he learned many things and evolved through his journey.

Odysseus changed throughout the story, making him a dynamic character. He

began as an arrogant man who left his wife to journey and battle in Troy. Odysseus first

actions would lead one to claim that he was headstrong and selfish but, throughout the

voyage his actions expand to considerate and sensitive. Before Odysseus learned to

grow, he was very egocentric. This was shown many places, especially at the Cyclops

cave. Odysseus says, So headstrong-why? Why rile the best again? (pg 223 ln 550).

In this quote, one may see that Odysseus was sarcastic and even later calls himself

the best.

During the long trip, Odysseus fell under the influence of many obstacles,

including persistent women and the death of his crew and mother(whom he found while

visiting hell). When Odysseus was put through this trauma he sees things differently

and must go home. One quote to support his more emotional side is, I knelt in her bed

and wept. Id no desire to go on living and see the rising light of day. (245-6 ln 547).

Odysseus was depressed and very homesick when he said this next to Circe. He

wanted to go home to his wife, Penelope.

 By the end of journey, Odysseus did return to his family, who werent aware he

was still alive. He had been gone for twenty years. Odysseus came to realise how much

he missed out on his familys life. He completely was absent during his sons childhood,

and when he returns, Telemachus is already grown up. When Odysseus became aware

of this, he showed that he grew into a vulnerable man. Odysseus matured as a human

being. He did this because he felt the pain of being left out.

Therefore, Odysseus is dynamic character, who also is a round character. He is

a character who was forced to change his views and actions in the course of his

journey. He also is fully developed by the end. He was selfish at first and leaves his

family. Then Odysseus understood what he was missing after he came back to see his

struggling house. He opened up and learned to become more human, instead of

competing with the gods. His overall character proved Odysseus is more than just the

words on the paper. He did this by being characterized, changing his opinions, and

surprising the reader.