In Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, the reader can't help but develop a keen sense of allegiance with its title character and hero, Odysseus. Everyone knows that no one is perfect, and for that reason, most readers can readily identify with the arrogant yet sensitive son of Laertes. Despite his faults, Odysseus proves to be a clever and compassionate leader of men.

Ironically, Odysseus' faults stem from his strengths: his wit and intelligence often cause his dormant hubris to awake and create even more problems for his already beleaguered crew. After Odysseus escapes the Cyclop's wrath, he arrogantly boasts, "`How do you like the beating that we gave you, / you damned cannibal"'"(613) Odysseus thinks so highly of himself that he finds it necessary to taunt the Cyclops. He is proud of his triumphant success over the savage Polyphemus. Upon frantically fleeing, Odysseus bellows, "`Cyclops, / if ever mortal...