Leadership qualities of Odysseus throughout the book Essay

doneout the Odyssey, the campaign raset, Odysseus, is presented as the nonpareil Grecian drawing card. He demonstrates this through the treatwork forcet of his men and how he deals with problems that are presented to him. Because the Odyssey was first a spoken myth, it took on the get of the society in which it was told. Including that societys moral and ethical values, as well as its desires in the characters of a drawing card. A leader essential first be defined, then set apart from opposite electric potential leading, then the leader moldiness be tested through his actions, exactly then can a definite leader be defined.First, angiotensin-converting enzyme must define the noble-minded Greek leader. An ideal Greek leader commands the respect of those universe led, that also gives respect. He must be intelligent and cunning, and able to think logically with the intentions of keeping the well existence of those under him. Reverence to the gods is mandatory, as they a re viewed as the supreme leaders. An ideal leader must harbour an talent to lead a troops victoriously, but also know when military action is non necessary. in that location are many separate traits that the ideal Greek leader must possess, but n matchless are as important as those that have been listed.Another way of proving Odysseus as the ideal leader is by incompatible him with other leaders. Two other characters in the book that could be considered character foils are Antinoos and Alkinoos, two very different leaders. Alkinoos, King of the Phaeacians, is presented as leader who is open to outsiders, another trait that is revered in ancient Greek culture. When he provides the hospitality to Odysseus, he shows his welcoming manner by not only allowing Odysseus to stay as his guest, but also taking him suffer to Ithaca. When you came here to my strong home, Odysseus, under my tall roof, headwinds were left behind you. spend sailing shall you have now, homeward now (XIII, 4-7) Alkinoos can be considered a foil that showswhat home run viewed as a good leader. Antinoos, on the other hand, was almost the opposite. The suitor spent his time unsuccessfully enticing Penelope, one of many things that Homer could have considered to be a bad trait, curiously when possessed by a leader, which is something that Antinoos could be considered in his relationship with the other suitors. He was also the suitor who came up with the scheme to kill Telemachus. Furthermore, Antinoos existence the first to die when Odysseus returns, could be presented as Homers penalization of the iniquitous suitor of the heros wife. These two characters can be considered the two extremes in Homers view of a leader.Odysseuss actions throughout the book demonstrate the traits that make him a good leader. Through his decisions in these specific events, he proves that he is a good, but not perfect, leader. First, his decision to send men to scout out Kirkes mansion was one of pleasure, not conquest. Odysseus did not need to send his men investigate the unfamiliar island, but still felt it necessary. This decision is one that had to be made, but given past experiences, the reader would expect Odysseus to choose otherwise, especially when his men felt hesitant. They were all silent, but their hearts contracted, remembering Antiphates the Laistrygon and that stupendous cannibal, the Kyklopes But seeing our time for action lost in weeping, I mustered those Akhaians under arms, counting them off in two platoons, myself and my godlike Eurylokhos commanding. (X, 217-224)It wasnt until after the first party fell prey to Kirkes philosophers stone that Odysseus shows his true leadership. With the aid of the gods, he is able to free his men from upkeep as swine. Although he stays long after he has freed his men, closely a year, he felt the obligation towards his men by undoing Kirkes acts and freed them from her hold. Another instance when Odysseus demonstrates his lea dership ability is when he is confront with the escape from Polyphemuss cave. His quick thinking and strategic approach gave him mastery over the giant, two traits Homer emphasizes in Odysseus. Odysseus is able to lead his men to blind the Kyklops, but shows how no mortal man can be perfect, no matter how heroic, by shouting back at Polyphemus and sexual intercourse him who had truly blinded him.Finally, Odysseuss similarity to some of the known leaders of ancient Greececan be used to express how Odysseus was presented as the ideal Greek leader. The first of whom being the democratic leader of Athens, Pericles, and second being horse parsley the Great. Pericles was much like Odysseus in a sense of his ability to manipulate and influence those under him, a necessary skill in any democratic society. He was able to influence the other choose officials into believing what he wanted, and stemmed his success from that ability. Although not an especially estimable trait, the ability to influence men into what is needed to be done in the eyes of the leader is most certainly necessary, especially when it involves military authority.Alexander the Greats decisiveness is paralleled only by Odysseus, which is another trait that all strong leaders must possess. Another element to a leader that is often present is that of arrogance, as Alexander the Great believed himself to be half immortal, and held himself in comparison with Hercules. Alexander was even known to quietude with copies of Homers books under his pillow, and drew heavy influence from Homers characters, including Odysseus.Odysseus is considered to be one of the greatest mythological heroic leaders. non only is he presented as the regulate for the ideal Greek leader, but has influenced many other leaders throughout history, including Alexander the Great. Odysseus was a model for ancient Greek leaders, and still influences our views of leadership today, although we may not even notice it.