Homer's Iliad and Odyssey
by CTCWeb Editors
Wily Odysseus
Odysseus is constantly liken to Zeus due to his cunning mind. There are many instances in the Iliad and the Odyssey as well as outside those texts where Odysseus uses his cunning to get what he wants. Like Homer’s Odysseus, the Odysseus in Sophocles’ play, Ajax, is wise and persuasive in his speech as he persuades the Greek chieftains to bury Ajax despite his outrageous behavior. Below is a list of citations where Odysseus uses his powers of persuasion and his wits to achieve his goal. Students should note other places in both the Iliad and the Odyssey, and elsewhere, where Odysseus uses his powers of persuasion.
Apollodorus vol. 2.177 - Odysseus feigns madness to avoid going to the Trojan war but his farce is detected and he goes to war.
Apollodorus vol. 2.229 - Odysseus invents the Trojan Horse.
Aristophanes Birds, line 350-354 - The chorus leader speaks of Odysseus and “crafty” when he uses the disguise of a beggar to escape the notice of others.
Aristotle Poetics 1451a - Aristotle refers to Odysseus’ attempt to get out of having to participate in the Trojan war by acting crazy.
Historical Overview, IV B.5.c Sophocles’ Ajax - This topic card refers to Odysseus in the context of his receiving the armor of the fallen Achilles in Sophocles’ play, Ajax. Read Odysseus argument to the Greek chiefs in favor of burying Ajax.
Sophocles, Philoctetes lines 254-284- Philoctetes tells his story of how he was bitten by a snake on island of Chryse and was abandoned on the island of Lemnos by Odysseus. Odysseus now has Telemachos trick Philoctetes to get Herakles’ bow.
Homer Odyssey Book 1.1 - Homer opens the story of the Odyssey asking that the Muse sing of Odysseus, the man of many wiles.
Homer Odyssey Book 9 - Odysseus tricks Polyphemus and then blinds him.
Euripides, Cyclopes, et. al.
Euripides, Hecuba 299-330 - Odysseus offers what he calls “wise” advice to Hecuba.
Euripides, Iphigenia at Taurus line 20 - Iphigenia tells how Odysseus lured Clytemnestra into giving him her daughter pretending that it was for marriage to Achilles when she would be used as a sacrificial victim.
Euripides, Orestes 1404 - the Phyrgian compares Strophius to Odysseus calling them both crafty plotters.
Euripides, Rhesus et. al. line 499 - Hektor tells of Odysseus, “a wheedling rascal,” who stole the image of Athena and who planted a spy within the Trojan walls. line 625 - Diomedes mentions Odysseus “quick wit” and believes that a man of his talents should be where he can do the most good.
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