And they clasped that pointed stake,.
Then drove the olive-wood into his eye .
And then he shouted to the other Cyclops-.
"What struck you, Polyphemus? Why do you.
Disturb the godlike night and spoil our sleep?-.
.
Polyphemus, from the cave,.
Replied: "My friends, no force can damage me;.
No-one, No-one is using treachery.".
This is a perfect example of Odysseus" supreme suavity. What seemed like a mockery of the Cyclops" stupidity actually turned out to be the men's enabler for a clean getaway. .
Devotion is another admirable trait of Odysseus. Despite all of the temptations he faces and all of the hardships he must endure, Odysseus stays devoted to the idea of his homecoming and more importantly, his wife Penelope. In book 5, Odysseus turns down a life of immortality in order to return home to his wife.
"Are you, Odysseus, man of many wiles,.
Laertes" godly son, still keen to leave.
Straightaway? Is it your native land you need,.
Your dear home? Though you go, I wish you well.
But if your mind were to divine the trials.
That fate will have you meet before you reach.
Your country, you would choose to stay, to keep.
This house with me - and live immortally.
This you would do, despite your longing for .
Your wife, for whom you yearn each day. And yet.
I"m sure that I am not inferior.
To her in form or stature: it's not right.
For mortal women to contend or vie.
With goddesses in loveliness or height".
This is just one example of how Odysseus is able to face temptation and still stay true to his journey home. After being held captive on Calypso's island, Calypso pleas with him to stay. She promises to save him from the inevitable turbulence of his future and even offers him immortality; a quality which no human possessed. But of course, Odysseus stays true to his heroic traits and decides to decline Calypso's offer and return home to his wife.
Though Odysseus" wit and loyalty is heavily emphasized throughout this poem, what would a Homeric hero be without the advantage of superior human strength? Upon returning home and discovering many suitors living in his house, Odysseus decides to do his wife justice by punishing all of them.
