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Odysseus' greatest weakness is his pride. Although pride can be a good thing, he is claimed to possess too much of it. This is shown in an act of hubris in book nine of The Odyssey, when Odysseus taunts the Cyclops Polyphemus after blinding him, which leads Odysseus to be cursed by Poseidon.

Odysseus curiousity could also be considered a weakness. On the island of the Cyclopes, Odysseus fell into temptation to stay in the Cyclopes's cave to see what the Cyclopes looked like (Polyphemus). This left 6 of his men dead.

Odysseus was self-serving even to the extent of betraying his friends. When he visited the underworld the ghost of Ajax the greater refused to speak with him, still offended at their contention over the Armour of Achilles. The Greeks respected his cleverness but the Romans thought him too sly. Dante condemned him and Diomed to the 10th level of hell.
His pride. He had to go back and boast to the Cyclops which brought danger to him and his men. Odysseus had a weakness for women. He enjys women. Odysseus' men had to remind him of home when he was with Circe' he also stayed with Calypso for seven years.

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Why did Homer include Odysseus' weaknesses in the Odyssey?

Homer wanted to give Odysseus human characteristics to make the story believable. Odysseus exhibits many weaknesses during his journey home to Ithaca. Homer was easily able to integrate these weaknesses because all humans can relate to his problems and can learn from what Odysseus had to go through.


What are some of Odysseus's weaknesses?

pride couriosity some others


What are Odysseus' strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths: brave, leader, clever, resourceful, trickery, wits Weaknesses: his pride, women, sensualness, stubborn, defiant


What were the Laestrygonians weaknesses?

The Laestrygonians, as depicted in Homer's "Odyssey," had several weaknesses. Primarily, their overconfidence in their strength and size led them to underestimate Odysseus and his crew. Additionally, their aggressive nature made them vulnerable to surprise attacks and strategic retreat, as Odysseus managed to escape after they destroyed his ships and devoured many of his men. Ultimately, their brute force was countered by Odysseus's cunning and tactical thinking.


What are polyphemus's weaknesses?

Polyphemus, the Cyclops from Greek mythology, has several weaknesses. His arrogance and pride make him overconfident, leading him to underestimate Odysseus and his companions. Additionally, his singular eye makes him vulnerable to blinding, which Odysseus exploits. Lastly, his isolation on a remote island limits his ability to seek help or defend himself effectively against intruders.

Related Questions

Why did Homer include Odysseus' weaknesses in the Odyssey?

Homer wanted to give Odysseus human characteristics to make the story believable. Odysseus exhibits many weaknesses during his journey home to Ithaca. Homer was easily able to integrate these weaknesses because all humans can relate to his problems and can learn from what Odysseus had to go through.


What are some of Odysseus's weaknesses?

pride couriosity some others


What are Odysseus' strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths: brave, leader, clever, resourceful, trickery, wits Weaknesses: his pride, women, sensualness, stubborn, defiant


What human weaknesses does Odysseus reveal as he sails away?

Odysseus displays hubris and arrogance, taunting the cyclops Polyphemus as he sails away. This decision later haunts him as Polyphemus calls his father Poseidon to curse Odysseus.


What were the Laestrygonians weaknesses?

The Laestrygonians, as depicted in Homer's "Odyssey," had several weaknesses. Primarily, their overconfidence in their strength and size led them to underestimate Odysseus and his crew. Additionally, their aggressive nature made them vulnerable to surprise attacks and strategic retreat, as Odysseus managed to escape after they destroyed his ships and devoured many of his men. Ultimately, their brute force was countered by Odysseus's cunning and tactical thinking.


What are polyphemus's weaknesses?

Polyphemus, the Cyclops from Greek mythology, has several weaknesses. His arrogance and pride make him overconfident, leading him to underestimate Odysseus and his companions. Additionally, his singular eye makes him vulnerable to blinding, which Odysseus exploits. Lastly, his isolation on a remote island limits his ability to seek help or defend himself effectively against intruders.


What were Poseidon's weaknesses?

Poseidon's weaknesses included being easily angered, holding grudges, and failing to control his temper at times. Additionally, he could be outwitted by clever mortals, such as Odysseus in Homer's "The Odyssey."


What was Penelope's weaknesses?

She is an Ideal figure in ancient greece but does not have many weaknesses. Her only weakness that I can see is her loyalty to her husband because it makes her suffer and often weep. But she does stay strong and it does not affect her actions.


What are some of Odysseus's strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths: Shows loyalty in his disire to reach home Trickery Leadership over his men WitsWeaknesses: Pride Sensualness


How does Odysseus planning help him defeat the opponents?

Odysseus's strategic planning is key to his success against opponents throughout his journey. He carefully assesses situations, devising clever tactics such as the Trojan Horse to outsmart the Greeks and using disguises to gather intelligence. His ability to think critically and anticipate his enemies' moves allows him to exploit their weaknesses effectively. Ultimately, Odysseus's resourcefulness and foresight enable him to navigate challenges and achieve victory.


What does this evidence from the text reveal about Odysseus?

The evidence from the text reveals that Odysseus is a complex character who embodies both heroic qualities and human flaws. His intelligence and cunning are evident in his strategic thinking and resourcefulness, allowing him to navigate challenging situations. However, his pride and occasional recklessness also highlight his vulnerability, suggesting that even great heroes can struggle with personal weaknesses. Overall, this complexity makes Odysseus a relatable and multifaceted figure in the narrative.


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.