Odysseus is depicted as cunning and wise, but in many ways he is certainly foolish. While he performs many feats of cunning—such as outwitting Polyphemus, the giant Cyclops; earning the favor of Circe; and receiving the trapped winds—he acts foolishly many other times.
Odysseus famously shouts his name back at Polyphemus after blinding him and fleeing with his stolen supplies. This is perhaps one of the biggest displays of his folly. Unbeknownst to him, Polyphemus's father is Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Poseidon proceeds to torment the sailors for the remainder of their voyage.
Additionally, Odysseus chooses to sleep with Circe and stay with her for a year—though there is potentially an aspect of coercion in that relationship due to Circe's powers as a witch-goddess.
Monday, June 24, 2019
Was Odysseus foolish?
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