Odysseus is considered one of the greatest Greek heroes who fought during the Trojan War, known for his cunning intellect, Odysseus designed the plan that sacked the city of Troy and led to the victory of the Greeks in the Trojan War. The story of Odysseus begins in Homer's epic poem The Iliad, but his second poem, The Odyssey, tells the story of Odysseus wandering the seas for ten years as he struggles to return to Ithaca, where his wife and son they are waiting for him. Throughout the poem, Odysseus demonstrates various characteristics of heroism that are not equal to the Achilles of the Iliad. While Achilles' heroism is demonstrated by his skills as a warrior, Odysseus's is based on his stratagems such as mêtis "cunning intelligence" and his dolos "deception". The passage Od. Abri. 10.284-309 shows Odysseus' heroism and extraordinary deeds, but it also shows that he is an average person with strengths and weaknesses. By analyzing this passage, we will see how Ulysses, despite being gifted with cunning, intelligence and the ability to deceive, can fall into temptation and pleasure during his nostos "return home". Odysseus's mêtis, his cunning and his wits, which are unique to him, represents the foundation and main weakening quality of his heroism. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay His mêtis in the passage begins by demonstrating his loyalty and motivation to save his people. Not saving them all, but saving as many as possible is one of his best achievements on the journey. It is a leadership skill to judge the necessary sacrifices and assume the consequences that come with them, and Odysseus does this repeatedly. When he and his companions arrived at Aenea, the home of the goddess Circe, and Circe turns Odysseus' companions into pigs. Eurylochus, one of Odysseus' companions, runs back to the ship and tells Odysseus what had happened. Even though he knew that going to the palace was a risky decision, he still wanted to save them. When he arrives at the palace, Circe shows surprise as her spell did not work on Odysseus, proving that he is a man of extraordinary deeds. Later, she asks him to sleep with her after he threatens her with his sword. Although he could have simply accepted Circe's proposal because of his extraordinary beauty, Odysseus displayed sophrosunê “self-control,” which in ancient Greece is an ideal of excellence of character and sanity as opposed to arrogance. He recognizes that she would harm him and treat him the same way she treated his companions unless he convinces her and swears by the gods that he will not. He decided to confront her and use his persuasive speech and said: "I will not agree to climb into your bed, unless you agree to take a solemn oath." In most epics, it is clear that the main hero wants everyone to remember his name and his incredible feats. In the Odyssey, kleos “honor” is achieved through dolos “deception”. On his way to save his men, Odysseus is visited by the god Hermes who gives him a magical herb called "Moly". The Moly served to protect him from Circe's magic. In this case, Odysseus was able to use his disguise and deception to make Circe believe that Odysseus was very powerful and that not even his powers could work against him. The honor he is getting by following his dolos is to be recognized as the savior of his people and to have a goddess as his lover. Another example of the use of deception is how Circe lured Odysseus' men into her palace. Odysseus had in mind that Xenia would be universally respected, but once again she is confronted with cultures that don't work.