Odysseus is the Odyssey’s titular character, but he is defined as much by his family and place of origin as he is by his individual characteristics. Whenever he introduces himself honestly, he refers to himself as the son of Laertes, from Ithaca. His desire to return home, no matter how difficult and dangerous the journey, represents his desire to reclaim his identity and take his proper place at the head of his household.

As an individual, he exhibits characteristics typical of Homeric heroes: He is brave, skilled in combat, and an effective public speaker. His unique specialties are patience, cunning, and trickery, making him especially beloved to Athena, who is the patron of those skills. He is known for and takes pride in his schemes. The Trojan horse that resulted in the defeat of Troy was his invention, but Odysseus’s pride in his schemes can make him reckless and cruel. His pride in having tricked Polyphemus prompts him to boast foolishly. This leads Poseidon to make his journey more difficult and makes Odysseus at least partly responsible for his crewmen’s deaths. After he returns to Ithaca, he cannot resist testing his aging father, causing him additional grief.

As important as his individual characteristics are, their purpose in the Odyssey is to facilitate his return to Ithaca and defeat of the suitors.