Topic > Disobedience in Odysseus' Confessions - 732

Odysseus dealt with his disobedient crew. After an already difficult journey, Odysseus and his crew arrive at Aeolis, where King Aeolus offers him wind in a bag, which had enough wind to send Odysseus' ship home to Ithaca. While Odysseus sleeps, the crew conspires, believing the bag contained treasure, “Aeolus bestowed these gifts on him. Let's take a quick look and see what's here, how much gold and silver is stored in this bag” (Homer p.142). The crew members opened the bag and the winds unleashed, bringing them back to the island of Aeoli. Because of curiosity and disobedience, the crew adds years to the journey. But the crew doesn't learn from their mistake, and the next time they disobey the consequences will be fatal. When they arrive on the island of Helios, Odysseus forbids the crew to consume the cattle of the Sun god. «But swear to me a great oath, to the last man: if we find cattle or sheep on this island, no man will kill a single cow or sheep. In his unconsciousness, but he will be content to eat the food that immortal Circe has given us” (Homer p.186-87). But while Odysseus is gone, the crew ignores his instructions and feasts on Helios' cattle. Their consequence was that Zeus destroyed the ship and crew, leaving only Odysseus alive. Odysseus longs to return home, but cannot control the ignorance of his men. The crew's disobedience prevents Odysseus from achieving his goal