How does fear and other emotions influence characters in Homers Odyssey?
The major emotion that pushes Odysseus is “hubris”, overarching pride in himself. The Greek gods do not like this, especially when he shows no fear before them, and that is why he is punished by not being allowed to return to Ithaca. He continues to show this lack of fear throughout the Odyssey, although he tempers his hubris and acknowledges the superiority of the gods. His companions, however, display pure fear when they meet up with the Cyclops and the Scylla. At home, Penelope, his wife, is also fearless, but without the hubris of her husband. She manages to hold off the many suitors for her hand, and maintains hope that he will return. Odysseus’ mother, Anticlea, however, has no hubris and runs out of hope, drowning herself.
