Purpose Of Odysseus 'Goal In The Odyssey'

Having a Goal The purpose of a goal is to have something to look forward to, something to strive for, and something that brings purpose to one’s life. By establishing a goal, one provides a road in which success can be found. This road may often be long and paved with struggles and trials, it may be filled with temptation which can lead one astray, but this road can also bring greatness and triumph if one does not give up along the way. The most difficult part in having a goal, is establishing what it is. In the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus’s ambition to get home preceding the war is what initiates his long and strenuous journey. Along the way, he will have to face grueling obstacles such as a one eyed, man eating, Cyclops, who tests Odysseus’s
Throughout his travels, Odysseus faces many boundaries in which he is expected to accomplish in order to continue on with his journey. Not only does he push past these boundaries, he defies all odds set against him. In doing so, Odysseus must make sacrifices in order to overcome these obstacles, but through determination he prevails. Odysseus’s will to persevere is shown when he is met with a burdensome decision, for which he must choose in the end what will be the best path to continue on his journey. “And deathly pity ran me through at the sight-far the worst I ever suffered, questioning the passes of the strange sea. We rowed on” (Homer 823-825). Odysseus must face the sea creature Scylla and sacrifice some of his men, in order to progress with his travels. To do so, Odysseus has to overcome his anguish and distress he feels for the loss of his crew members, but he knows that he must endure on, until he knows he has reached his beloved kingdom. Comparably, Tatyana McFadden was faced with insurmountable odds as a young child growing up in Russia in an orphanage left to fend for herself. Tatyana was already plagued by complications that she was forced to overcome. “Tatyana was paralyzed as an infant with a condition called spina bifida […] she was given up to an orphanage outside St Petersburg […] without a wheelchair, [she]
Along his passage, people came to know Odysseus as a man of his word, and a man who cared for his men and upheld his duties as a captain to return them safely home. Although he faced struggles and apprehensions by his mates, he gained their respect and trust to lead them in the right direction towards Ithaca. “He saw the town lands and learned the minds of many distant men, and weathered many bitter nights and days in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home” (Homer 5-9). After the Trojan War, many people learned of Odysseus’s honor and glory from his successes over Polythemus, the Sirens, and risking his way through Scylla. They heard of the many ways in which he saved his men from fateful deaths, and rescued them from insurmountable circumstances, and more importantly, how he remained true to his word of returning home to his family. By demonstrating his courageousness during battles, people associated Odysseus as a man of great virtue and honor. In resemblance to which people began to view Tatyana McFadden as an outstanding athlete, and role model who inspires all with her determination and drive to succeed. “‘That is my dream […] I want to educate others, inspire others -- [to show] there are no other limitations in life…I want to leave that behind’” (St John Barned-Smith). Tatyana relates to Odysseus in the way in