Leadership Essay: Odysseus and George Washington

Leadership is the ability to marshal and guide a group of people or organization.  Strong, humane qualities can lead to an overall better leader.  However, not all leaders exhibit these characteristics.  Two of the most famous generals, Odysseus, a charismatic adjudicator from The Odyssey, and George Washington, the first president of the United States who fought against the British in the Revolutionary War, possess leadership flaws that inhibit them as a leader.  Both Odysseus and George Washington are crafty and wise leaders; however, George Washington is a more effective leader because he is more patient in battle with his enemies.

Odysseus and George Washington are distinguished leaders because they are able to make crafty decisions in stressful situations.  George Washington as well as Odysseus were generals of war, and they expressed their craftiness through their battle plans.  While Odysseus and his men were trapped in the cyclop’s, Polyphemus cave, Odysseus mustered-up a cunning plan to escape the threatening Polyphemus.  Odysseus elected to “[hang], face upward” in one of the beast's ewes to trick the cyclops into taking his crew out of the cave (Fagles 9.484-486).  Odysseus minimized the deaths of his crew by devising a plan to trick the foolish cyclops to take them out of the cave accidentally when he took the sheep out for their daily grazing.  In like manner, Washington was able to save his country from the British in the 18th century by employing his craftiness in war-like situations.  While Washington was fighting against the British in the Revolutionary War he was able to overcome his country’s bleak odds in victory by displaying his cleverness.  In late 1775, Washington had to “skillfully [maneuver] between domestic political and economic obstacles” against the Continental Congress to overcome the lack of supplies he had to fight against the British redcoats (“George Washington”).  Ultimately, Washington was able to rally an adequate enough army to fight against the British through his display of craftiness against the Continental Congress.  Overall, both Odysseus and George Washington compare the trait of cleverness and craftiness, and exhibit it during stressful, dangerous circumstances.

Similarly, Washington and Odysseus are exceptional leaders also because they make wise decisions that give them an advantage over their enemies.  Washington’s and Odysseus’ wisdom shine when in battle, their wisdom gives them the ❤️upper-hand against their foes.  When Odysseus and his men were trapped in the cyclops' cave, the intelligent Odysseus devised a plan.  Odysseus requested the cyclops to take a “brimful of [his] ruddy wine” to wash down his men he had just eaten several minutes before (Fagles 9.386).  Odysseus is wise enough, while in danger, to trick the cyclops into drinking his liquor until he falls asleep so he can then blind him with his sword, and eventually escape.  Likewise, Washington’s wisdom also flourished when most stressed.  At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Washington faced a hard task in beating the British, but he arose with a very knowledgeable decision to please the United States citizens during difficult times.  Washington decided to not display “aggressive political ambitions” and corrupt the government with his command over the military (“George Washington”).  Ultimately, Washington subsided from politics during his presidency, and was more focused on the betterment of his citizens during a search for independence.   Odysseus and George Washington were very wise, and it helped them progress forward as an astonished leader.  

While both Odysseus and George Washington may be crafty, wise and distinguished leaders, Washington is a more effective leader because he has more restraint and patience in battle compared to Odysseus.  Washington’s leadership shown through his patience played an important role in the United States victory over the British in the Revolutionary War; contrary, Odysseus’ foiled mind exhibiting more Dionysian qualities over Apollion traits pushes Odysseus into persuasion rather than thinking through his critical choices.  On Odysseus way back to Ithaca from Troy, he is forced to go through the Strait of Messina where the dangerous beasts, Scylla and Charybdis are located; Odysseus is advised by Circe the nymph to sail as fast as he can away from Scylla and Charybdis to avoid death.  Rather than listening, Odysseus ignores “Circe’s orders—cramping [his] style” and fights Scylla and Charybdis (Fagles 12.245-246).  Odysseus falls into his Dionysian and egotistical mind, and fights the two monsters of the strait in search of glory; this impatience and lack of restraint kills several of Odysseus’ men, even though he could have avoided their deaths.  In contrast, Washington showed patience even in defeat.  The first battles of the Revolutionary War in 1775 greeted George Washington with various losses.  However, Washington remained patient even when “disaster seemed unavoidable” for the United States, and turned around the tides of war in 1776 with multiple victories against the British (“George Washington”).  Washington’s patience even when times seemed demoralizing saved his country from ultimate defeat against the British, and he eventually united his country as president in 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  While both Odysseus and George Washington are astonished leaders, Washington is a more effective leader because rather than giving up, George Washington’s utilization of patience played a big role in the redcoats defeat; on the other hand, Odysseus' hubris makes impatient decisions that affect the wellbeing of his men.  

Ultimately, Odysseus from The Odyssey and George Washington both share wise and crafty characteristics; although, Washington is a far more successful leader because of his patient mind that assists him in the midst of conflict with his adversaries.  Washington and Odysseus use these leadership traits to exploit their enemies’ weaknesses.  Even so, Washington’s patience puts him in control of his decisions, rather than falling into weakness like Odysseus.  The Dionysian aspect of Odysseus’ mind coerces him into temptation, leading to overall unhealthy decisions.