Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus’ gained authority due to the aid and power of others, which resulted in three phases of understanding: self-determination, courage, and having a greater vision in life. In order to understand these three phases, one must be able to conquer predominance from those who are less useful than others. While being physically strong, he lacked mental strength without the guidance of the gods. Odysseus was a loner, but once meeting up with others he became popular. Once he makes these friends he learns more about the subjects of daily life. They are the ones who have more predominance than others because they know more people and are more intriguing. Odysseus needed and used the help of others to gain more knowledge throughout the story.

Once Odysseus has served enough time in a place against his will, he would be determined to leave that place. Odysseus’ journey towards home was now going to have the chance to come to and end. For seven years, Calypso held him prisoner on the island of Ogygia where he wanted to leave to seek the completion of his journey. Calypso agrees to let him go but first offers Odysseus some advice and guidance saying, "Only I wil

Numerous times Odysseus was determined to choose the harder path, even though he was sometimes guided in a different direction. When Odysseus and crew were at the house of Circe, she told him what dangers lied ahead on his journey. She told him that there were two paths to take, each with its own difficulties and consequences. When Odysseus said that he might take the harder one, Circe said "Foolhardy man! Still bent on war and struggle! Will you not yield even to immortal gods? This is no mortal being, but an immortal woe, -dire, hard, and fierce, and not to be fought down. Courage is nothing; flight is best"(116). Odysseus was just advised not to fight these forces because of the dangers that were involved. It shows that Odysseus likes to get involved in dangerous situations therefore showing that he has the courage to deal with the hardships.

Even though the gods protected Odysseus he was also self-reliant. As Odysseus’ ship was torn to pieces, he managed to hang on to some of the wreckage. Though Poseidon made it tougher on him with the storm and waves, he was able to float off into the winds. When Odysseus was thrown off the ship he said, "I myself paced the ship until the surge tore her ribs off the keel, which the waves then carried along dismantled. The mast broke at the keel; but to it clung the backstay, made of ox-hide. With this I bound the two together, keel and mast, and getting a set on these, I drifted before the deadly winds"(121-122). Odysseus shows that he was able to help himself while other gods were trying to kill him. He was self-reliant because Athena was not there to protect or help him. He was now on his own to finish his journey homeward, just like Zeus had once said.

Odysseus, determined and head strong, displays an immense amount of courage. Even though Hades is the land of the dead, Odysseus has expectations that he can be guided. Odysseus has always been guided under the sunlight and was courageous in knowing that he might be guided in the darkness. This is significant because Hades was not in sunlight but rather in darkness, which left the sunlight as Odysseus’ only guide, while looking for aid. Hades holds the spirits of the dead and Circe, a sorcerer goddess. Circe once told Odysseus to go and talk to the dead using a special potion of hers. So Odysseus does what Circe says and talks to Tiresias, a prophet, who predicts what his future might be. As Tiresias is predicting Odysseus’ future he says, "At home you shall find trouble, -bold men devouring your living, wooing your matchless wife, and offering bridal gifts. Nevertheless, on your return, you surely shall avenge their crimes"(104). This shows that Odysseus

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