Question

Do you think Odysseus is happier traveling and exploring or taking care of business at home? Why do you think that? Refer to the events in The Odyssey and/or Tennyson's "Ulysses.

Answer 1

 He is happier traveling and exploring. This is shown in how he takes a detour at the beginning of his journey to the Ciccones despite the fact that it was in a different direction to Ithaca and he had already been adventuring for 10 years before that. His love of exploring is also shown in how he waits for the cyclops to come home rather than just steal his stuff- he wants to spread his name around. He had to take care of the suitors at home because it was his duty as an epic hero to protect his oikos, so he saw this as more of a chore than fun.