Stubborn Odysseus

In class today we discussed Odysseus’ many qualities. Although Odysseus is composed of a plethora of characteristics, one seems to stand out. Odysseus can be caring, brave, selfish, gullible and distrustful. However, Odysseus’ stubbornness is most prominent in the storyline. When Polyphemus holds Odysseus captive, he reveals his belligerence. First, Odysseus refuses to leave before Polyphemus comes back to his cave. Then after Odysseus meets Polyphemus he refuses to escape without provoking and taunting Polyphemus. His men had tried to persuade him to leave quickly, by noting Polyphemus’ great strength. Odysseus remembers, saying, “So they begged but they could not bring my fighting spirit round” (9.556-7). Then Odysseus reveals his true identity to Polyphemus, allowing his stubborn pride to plague his remaining journey. In Book 10, the reader meets Odysseus’ stubbornness again. In the previous example, the negative effects of Odysseus’ stubbornness are displayed. However in Book 10, in the story of Circe, Odysseus shows that the same stubbornness has positive ramifications as well. At Circe’s island Odysseus refuses to leave without the crew who were turned into pigs. Odysseus decides that he must return to save his crew. He disregards his scout, Eurylochus’ opinion, when Eurylochus that he should give up all hope and that if Odysseus leaves he will never reach home. However, Odysseus still leaves, showing his stubbornness when saying, “I must be off. Necessity drives me on” (10.301). Without Odysseus’ stubbornness, his men would have remained pigs. In addition to these two specific examples, there are broad topics that Odysseus’ stubbornness effects. Due to Odysseus’ stubborn spirit, he and his crew of men persevere through their many struggles. While the stubbornness of Odysseus can have negative implications, it also has great positive effects. Do you guys think it plays a more positive or negative role?