In the book Odyssey written by Homer, the main character Odysseus, king of Ithaca, is trying to return to his homeland. He ends up facing tons of obstacles. It has many features. Wise and determined show a lot throughout the story. Odysseus shows himself to be wise throughout the story, such as when Odysseus had to decide which was the best route to take, from Scylla or from Charybdis. Scylla was a six foot headed monster, who sat down and pulled people out of their vessel and ate them. Charybdis was a giant monster made of a swirling pool where if they were captured by Charybdis they would have no way to get out of it. Ulysses had to make a very wise decision. Either he and his men could try to cross Scylla and run the risk of losing several men, or he could try to cross Charybdis and run the risk of losing his ship, his men, and perhaps even himself. Another example of Odysseus showing him to be wise when they encounter the lotus eaters while on a mission. The lotus eaters managed to convince Odysseus' men to try the flower (medicine). He then made them completely forget their homeland, where they did not want to return. Ulysses says no, we have to go home, we can't stay here, flowers are very bad for you guys. He was wise enough to realize that the lotus was harmful to them and that they had to return to Ithaca. The last example of Odysseus showing that he is wise while traveling is when they see a cave and think that night comes in there for a while. Well, we discover that it wasn't just any empty cave. It belonged to someone, that cave belonged to Polyphemus, one of the Cyclopes. Cyclopes have only one eye. They get trapped inside Polyphemus... middle of paper... making Polyphemus drunk on wine, putting him to sleep, stabbing the one eye Polyphemus had gouged out, and himself and his men under the belly of the sheep. The last and final example of Odysseus' determination is that Odysseus did not know that he would go through as much trouble as he and his men. Even though his men didn't think it was a good idea to continue the journey. Odysseus wanted to make sure he returned to Ithaca, no matter what he went through. He had to face the Cyclopes, the suitors, Shall and Charybdis and many other people. Odysseus had to go through so much trouble trying to get back to his wife Penelope in Ithaca. I think Homer wrote this story to show that no matter what you go through, never give up on your destiny. Your characteristics come to you as you progress along your path.