The Journey of Odysseus In Homer's epic The Odyssey, the hero Odysseus attempts to complete his journey back from Troy. On the way home, however, he angers the sea god, Posiedon, who curses him to travel on the sea for ten years, lose all his men, and return to a stranger's ship. During the ten years, Ulysses overcomes many difficulties and visits unique destinations in the world along the way. Each place has different symbolic meanings and themes that are also found in today's society. During his journey, Odysseus will attempt to find his place in the world and make a name for himself, make difficult leadership decisions regarding his men, and try to overcome the natural curiosity and greed that is in the mental structure of man. The house guides many of Odysseus's reactions to the obstacles and challenges that lie in his path, but it also follows the call of a more subtle force. This force is what drives him to go to Troy in the first place, and it is what determines his actions on his journey home. The strength is Ulysses's own desire to make a name for himself in the world and to become one of its heroes, forever remembered in songs. When his men reached the Lotus Land, he was careful not to eat the food there. The lotus fruit would make the consumer forget who he was and his quest in life, replacing all impulses that existed before with a single desire: to eat of its plant (Timeless Myths). Ulysses, however, did not want to submit to the "passive peace of the Lotus Lands" for two reasons: one more evident [the desire to return home to his family], and the other hidden but equally strong [the antipathy he felt towards to his name diminishing to nothing on an island] (Steiner 112). In fact, this pride is what spurred his outburst when he left the land of the Cyclopes. He had outsmarted and wounded the monstrous beast, and yet it wasn't enough. When he thought he was far enough, he shouted his real name to the Cyclops, letting the Cyclopes know that it was he, Odysseus, who had put out his eye (Timeless Myths). Although this action may seem rash and stupid to outsiders, Odysseus was actually ensuring that he would not be considered Outis [no one] (Steiner 120).