The Odessey essays

The Odessey essays As George Lois once said, Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality, overcomes everything. In this citation Lois strives to explain the use of novelty and ingenuity when attempting to triumph over adversity. In much of literature, many characters seem to utilize this power of intelligence or cunning rather than their physical strength to out wit there adversary. This recurring theme of mind over muscle is exemplified throughout The Odyssey, an epic poem by Homer. Odysseus, the protagonist of the play, has the essential character qualities of a Homeric leader: strength, bravery, nobility, and confidence in his authority. However his most distinguishing trait is his sharp intellect and his quick wit. This is wholly illustrated in Odysseuss struggle with the Cyclops, Polyphemus. After being imprisoned with his crew by Polyphemus, Odysseus realizes that he cannot possibly overpower the Cyclops, and that, even if he were able to do so, he would not be able to budge the boulder from the entrance of the cave. He thus plans around his weakness in strength by exploiting Polyphemus of his own foolishness. Odysseuss wit in this episode is characterized by an extraordinary foresight and prudence, which gives him options in difficult situations. His foresight is no more evident than in his decision to take along the delicious wine that he had received from Maro when he and his men had sacked Ismarus, soon after they had begun their journey home. I took this wine...A sudden forboding told my fighting spirit Id soon come up against some giant clad in power...a savage deaf to justice, blind to law.(9. 235-240). After Polyphemus devours a number of Odysseus's men raw, the hero's reaction is not impulsive, but characterized by careful thought and restraint. Because the entrance is blocked by a boulder, immovable except by Polyphemus, O...