The Odyssey, by Homer, tells the story of the warrior king Odysseus and his misadventures and successes during his journey. With strength of character, wit and the gods on his side, Odysseus faces countless trials to see his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus stranded at sea after twenty-odd years. Although Odysseus managed to return home, reunite with his son and wife, and regain his kingdom from the hands of the suitors, his story is not without its sorrows. Having endured many physical and psychological traumas following his strange encounters, it is safe to say that Odysseus remained steadfast in the hope of one day returning to Ithaca, motivated by love for his family and the safeguarding of his crown by of those who sought to tear his family and kingdom apart. Over the course of his journey, Odysseus must choose between succumbing to his pain and sadness and accepting defeat or overcoming it and moving on for the sake of returning home. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Perhaps one of the first obstacles Odysseus had to overcome to continue his journey was his unfortunate encounter with the Laestrygonians, a race of giant cannibals from the island of Lamos. The Laestrygonians play a vital role in setting the stage for Odysseus' heroism, providing him with a challenge that requires decisive leadership and action to overcome. After sinking their ships and slaughtering and devouring the scouts sent by Odysseus from the Laestrygonians, Odysseus and what was left of his crew watched in sheer terror at what might become of themselves if they were seen. Needless to say, it's no easy task having to watch your companions being torn to pieces and eaten before your eyes, even if they take the opportunity to escape while hidden by the giant cannibals. With this, Ulysses enters the first phase of grief: denial. Successful in their escape, Ulysses and his shipmates were out of danger, and so they took a moment to mourn their fallen comrades-in-arms, after witnessing the first of many horrors that came their way: "We sailed in shock , happy to make it out alive/ But grieving for the companions we had lost. (Book of his crew, and remains faithful to his mission. The Laestrygonians are among the most brutal and ferocious monsters that Odysseus faces, and the fact that he faces them at the beginning of the story sets the tone of the story and foreshadows worse things to come another great example of how pain transformed Odysseus into a hero, was during his stay on the island of Ogygia with the goddess Calypso Currently, Odysseus' love for his family and his home is put to the test to seduce him into becoming her lover and to extend him the offer of immortality, every man's unachievable dream, Ulysses rejects her generous offer, thinking of the love he has for his wife and son and in a desperate attempt to go back to them. After quite some time away from his family and his kingdom, Odysseus chose to follow his heart wherever it took him, and he headed home. In fact, Odysseus was heartbroken that he would never see his home again and even admitted as much to Calypso right before they jumped into bed together once again: "Still I want to go back / My heart aches for the day in where I can return to my country." home./.../ God knows I have suffered and had my share of sorrows/ In war and at sea. I can take more if needed. (Book 5, lines 219-224) Here,,.