Examples Of Free Will In The Odyssey

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Odysseus does not deserve the blame for the death of his men in The Odyssey because his men have free will. Although in most scenarios, Odysseus is at fault for their predicaments, as human beings with their own consciences, his men possess the mind to make their own decisions. As Odysseus and his crew arrive on the island of Thrinacia, Odysseus warns them to avoid harming the sun god’s cattle; however, when Odysseus goes to pray to the gods and then falls asleep, “Eurylochus, and the others [agree]./ In no time they [have] driven off the best of Helios’ cattle,/… [saying] their prayers, [they] cut the cows’ throats”(12.362-370). At first, Odysseus’ men comply with the warning given to them to avoid harming the cattle. They refrain from contact