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Odysseus faked insanity (hitching together an ox and a donkey and sowing a field with salt) so as not to "drafted" for the Trojan War. His ruse was discovered, however, when Palamedes, another Greek chieftain, siezed Telemachus, Odysseus infant son, and placed him in the path of the plow. Obviously, Odysseus stopped, and was forced to accompany the fleet sailing for Troy.

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Q: Why did Odysseus pretend to be insane?
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How did Odysseus try to avoid going to war?

By pretending he was insane.


Why wasn't Odysseus able to return home after the Trojan war?

Odysseus Odysseus was King of Ithica. He never really wanted to join the Trojan War. As one of Helen's suitors, Odysseus was bound to the oath to defend her and Menelaus. Early in the courtship process, Odysseus had turned his attention to Helen's cousin Penelope. He married Penelope, who had his first son Telemachus. When Menelaus came for him, Odysseus pretended to be insane. He was in the fields sowing crops pretending to be oblivious to life around him. Palamedes saw though Odysseus's deceit and placed his son, Telemachus, in the path of the plow. When Odysseus steered away from the baby, his fake insanity was exposed. Odysseus never really forgave Palamedes for unmasking his deception. During the war, Odysseus framed Palamedes as a spy, and the Greeks had him stoned to death.


Why did Odysseus choose to go to war?

He didn't want to, but king Menelaos could persuade him. He was for only a short time home again with Penelope and his son, Telemachos, when king Menelaos came to Ithaka. Odysseus didn't want to go to war because his son was just born and acted as if he went insane. He took a plough to the beach and started sowing salt. Menelaos saw through his trick and lay Telemachos right before the plough. Odysseus saved his son and knew he had to 'surrender' now. Then king Menelaos managed to persuade Odysseus to go to war with him.


Who recognizes Odysseus by his scar?

Eurycleia recognizes Odysseus purely by his scar.Eumaeus and Philoetius recognize Odysseus by his scar after Odysseus reveals who he is. Laertes, Odysseus' father, also recognizes Odysseus by his scar after Odysseus reveals his identity.


How and why did Odysseus try to avoid the Trojan War?

Odysseus tried to avoid the Trojan War because he had a peaceful kingdom and a wife and son. He didn't want to leave them. He also had received a prophecy when he was quite young that stated that if Odysseus was to partake in the war, he would not return for twenty years. To avoid being forced to honor his previous promise to Menelaus, he dressed in his finest, took a plow, a bull, and a donkey, and went to his fields and spread salt on the fertile ground (salt prevents any further growth), pretending to think it was seed. In summary, he pretended to be insane. His plan failed because Menelaus (suspecting Odysseus's plan) threw Odysseus's son in the path of the plow. Odysseus forgot his plan and saved his son, but had to go to war.

Related questions

How does Odysseus tricked into going to troy?

Odysseus was tricked into going to Troy by Agamemnon. He was pretending to be insane and haltered a donkey and an ox to his plow. Agamemnon placed Odysseus' son Telemachus in front of the plow and Odysseus veered around him. This proved he was not insane and was suitable for combat.


How does Odysseus get tricked into going to Troy?

Odysseus was tricked into going to Troy by Agamemnon. He was pretending to be insane and haltered a donkey and an ox to his plow. Agamemnon placed Odysseus' son Telemachus in front of the plow and Odysseus veered around him. This proved he was not insane and was suitable for combat.


How did Odysseus try to avoid going to war?

By pretending he was insane.


How did Odysseus go insane?

He never goes insane! But, before he was drafted for the Trojan war, Odysseus pretended to go insane so he could stay home with his wife and newborn son. He pretends to sow the seeds with salt, but is caught in the act when he saves his son from being run over by the plow. (The drafters placed Telemachus down in front of the plow to see if Odysseus truly was insane.)


What does Odysseus pretend he is to get out of his vow?

He pretends to be insane by sowing his field with salt instead of seed, (sowing a field with salt ruins the land-it takes many years for rain to make it fertile once more) hoping the messenger will not make him fulfill his vow (to take back Helen).


What was Odysseus' trick to avoid the greek army?

preteneded to be insane by sowing salt instead of seeds in his fields


What do Odysseus and his men find when they reach the cave of one cyclops?

Odysseus and his men pretend to be part of the flock of sheep, tying themselves to the undersides of the sheep.


Why does Odysseus pretend to be a beggar when he returns to Ithaca?

Odysseus pretends to be a beggar to test the loyalty of his wife, Penelope, and to observe who among his subjects remains faithful to him despite his absence. By disguising himself, he can gather information and devise a plan to rid his home of the suitors who seek to marry Penelope and take over his kingdom.


How did Hermes affect Odysseus?

Two instances: 1. When Odysseus is on the island of Calypso, Hermes comes as a messenger to persuade Calypso let Odysseus go. 2. Hermes gives Odysseus advice on how to avoid danger from Circe and how to get his men back from her. He gives Odysseus a magical plant to protect Circe from her charms, tells Odysseus to pretend to want to kill Circe after she tries to cast her spell, and warns Odysseus not to sleep with Circe before she has promised to do no harm to him.


How do you get a boy to stop asking you out?

say f off to him then slap him across the face although he may say hot and keep chasing you then pretend to b his bf then brake up with him worked 4 me! Pretend to be mentally insane by saying confused words. Do stuff u kno he wnt like


How did Odysseus and Achilles tried to avoid going to war?

Odysseus pretended to be insane by planting salt in his fields. They caught him out because they placed his baby son, Telemachus, under the plow and Odysseus refused to run Telemachus over. Achilles actually dressed up as a girl. But when Odysseus, pretending to be a merchant, sold lots of things including a sword, only one "girl" picked up the sword. This was when the Achaeans knew that this girl was actually Achilles.


How does Penelope avoid picking one if the suitors?

Penelope delays choosing a suitor by telling them she will marry once she finishes weaving a burial shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes. However, she secretly unravels her weaving each night to prolong making a decision.