The Companions Are the Source of Much Grief for Odysseus Essay Example for Free

The Companions Are the Source of Much Grief for Odysseus EssayOdysseus, the strong, courageous, dedicated hero, travelled for miles on end to return to his home land of Ithica and to bring with him the twelve fleet ships carrying his loyal companions. However throughout this epic poem Odysseus companions have been the bearers of much grief for Odysseus, in many ways from questioning his whizing to simply dying in battle. And slowly during this epic poem each of his twelve fleet ships has been afflicted down.The stories of Odysseus companions begin from the very opening of book nine, on the coast of Ismarus home to the Cic singles. Odysseus and his men sacked the mooring and destroyed its men folk after taking their women and their vast spoils, Odysseus reproveed his men to dispatch with haste. just now they were not quick minded enough, and a tremendous battle broke out between Odysseus and his men and the Cicones. cardinal two of Odysseus men were brut eachy killed. We c an see here that this would cause much grief for Odysseus and his stay companions, for his men had made it through the battle of Troy and where rejoicing to be returning home to Ithica, outright he would have to return to grieving families awaiting their heroes return and for some, now their heros would never return. This is a classic example of the kind of grief Odysseus feels throughout the epic poem, because this is how many of his companions have presented Odysseus with grief, through death.Whether it was go in battle or devoured by a monstrous creature. For instance when, Odysseus and his remaining companions sailed to the island of the Cyclopes, where with twelve companions, he entered the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus. This giant devoured, one after another, six of the companions of Odysseus, and kept Odysseus and his other men as prisoners in his cave. Witnessing their loyal companions cannibalistic murders right in front of them Odysseus and his men wept and increase th eir hands to Zeus in horror. This again must(prenominal) have made Odysseus overridden with grief for not exactly did he watch his men be killed but he was the one that led them to this ferocious one eyed monster. Again he has lost much of his men which means more grieving families at home in Ithica questioning the Gods for the death of their loved ones.However, death is not the only way that Odysseus is candid to grief some of the monsters that Odysseus and his followers encountered would not kill his men but simply make them embarrass all longing for home, and the nostros that they were feeling. One of these monsters would be the Lotus-eaters, a race that eat the flowery lotus fruit. slightly of his companions were so much delighted with the taste of this flower that they wanted to remain with the Lotus-eaters and think no more of Ithica.This must have caused much anguish for Odysseus as he did not know how to help his compelled comrades. But being the intelligent and strong hero he is he used force to bring them bottom to the hollow ships, and they wept on the way but once on board he tied them up and continued with his voyage. The sirens also forget men to forget their home for with their beautiful voices would sing bewitching songs to choose these men to their death. Luckily with the help of Circe the sorceress who told Odysseus that if he wanted to hear the sirens song and live that he should allow his men to tie him to the mast of his ship while they covered their ears with softened bees wax and steer the boat in advance while Odysseus listened.Odysseus, in the epic poem has also encountered Companions that have questioned and mistrusted his leadership this is that of Odysseus second in miss of Odysseus ship during the voyage back to Ithica after the Trojan War his name was Eurylochus. In the Odyssey he is visualised as an unpleasant, cowardly individual who undermines Odysseus and stirs up trouble. When Odysseus and his men arrive on the is land of Aeaea home to Circe Eurylochus is chosen to lead a group of twenty-two men to explore the island. While touring the island they see Circes house and all but Eurylochus enters, he himself suspects Circes trap and when the men are turned into pigs he runs back to warn Odysseus.Odysseus prepares himself to confront this witch and save his crew however Eurylochus refuses to guide him to Circes palace and urges Odysseus to escape and start the men to their fate. This must have caused an uncountable amount of grief and pain for Odysseus for Eurylochus was his second in command, Odysseus therefore must have trusted this man with his life and thought rather highly of him. Then for him to tell him to forfeit his loyal companions who have been there for him since Troy and save himself must have hurt Odysseus a commodious deal. After Odysseus returns from Circes palace having rescued his companions, Eurylochus insults Odysseus and threatens to kill him. Here we see Odysseus being be friended and almost killed by his second in command obviously causing much grief for our brave hero.Overall I feel that the companions are the source of much grief for our fearless hero. However most of them did not wish well to bring grief upon their leader. For most it was simply an unfortunate death leading to Odysseus grieving for the loss of them.