The Major Motifs In Homer's The Odyssey

In the epic poem The Odyssey, Homer utilizes plot to develop a major motif, the repercussions of succumbing to temptation. One of the most memorable instances when Odysseus gave into temptation was at the island of the cyclops. He gave into his curiosity and he entered the cyclops's home. The aggressive cyclops came home and ate multiple men. Odysseus’s lust for Kleos is also a temptation. He surrendered to it when he reveals his identity to Polyphemus, bringing the wrath of Poseidon upon him and his crew. Only Odysseus survived. Another example of Odysseus giving into temptation is the Siren ordeal, when he insisted on listening to the Siren's mesmerizing song. The crew were made to plug their ears, so that they could sail safely by the Sirens’
island, while Odysseus, insistent on hearing the song of the Sirens, is only saved because his crew kept him tied down to the ship. Odysseus's primary goal is to reach home, however there are many examples in the plot where Odysseus goes off on dangerous tangents because of temptation that put this his crew and his goal in jeopardy.