Odysseus' release from the confinements of Calypso marks the beginning of his infamous quest into blatant and perilous danger. Odysseus’ antagonist is the series of trials, inflicted by many individual antagonists. In order to successfully return home and regain his rightful place, he must overcome each of them. The god of the sea, Poseidon, keeps Odysseus wandering for ten weary years, forcing him to arrive in Ithaca in a pitiable condition, with trouble waiting for him at home. He has punished Odysseus for blinding his one-eyed giant son, Polyphemus. Through the eventful course of these ten years, Odysseus is pitted against varied forces - the Cicones, the Lotus-Eaters, the Cyclops, the Laestrygonians, the goddess Circe, the Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis, sea storms raised by gods, Calypso's temptation of immortal love, and, finally, the suitors at Ithaca. The suitors may be his worst enemies, but they are not the only ones to cause conflicts in Odysseus' travels, and their slaying, though it provides a climax to the work, is only one episode in the long list of struggles Odysseus endures. He needs to be cunning and resourceful throughout, even while winning over friends such as the Phaecians. Odysseus matches each of his opponents with his incredible wit, quickness, intelligence, and even his sly knavery. His possession of incredible strength also aids him in many of his troubles. However, Odysseus is not alone and unaided during his journeys, for the goddess of wisdom, Athene acts as his chief protector, and she is seldom away from the hero or his son. She instills confidence within Telemachus and Odysseus and aids them in their respective travels. She continually aids Odysseus, giving him advice and practical assistance. In the climactic scene of the slaughter of the suitors, she actually deflects weapons aimed at him and frightens his adversaries by flashing her s

Some topics in this essay:
Book Athene, Telemachus Odysseus, Ithaca Odysseus’, Ogygia Scheria, Antinous Eurymachus, Agamemnon Greeks, Scylla Charybdis, Trojan War, Phaecians Odysseus, Poseidon Odysseus, trojan war, narrative includes, slaughter suitors, trials odysseus, love family, throughout poem,