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- Kleos: he retells some of his glorious moments during his travels before his arrival on Ogygia, but Homer does not mention the events which took place in the Trojan war, when Odysseus fought.
- Arete: Odysseus is a great user of oratory, and it is in fact one of his greatest weapons, which he uses to charm, persuade and even defeat his opposition. Eg. when he first meets Nausicaa, he calls her 'princess' even though he is lacking in the knowledge that she actually is. he also refrains from 'clasping her knees' (an Ancient Greek practice for supplicants seeking help) as he sees how it would be innapropriate.
- Aidos: although Odysseus does gain a great amount of arete and kleos, he does gain an amout of 'shame' throughout his journeys. For example, when Odysseus is retelling his story of how he lost his crew members in various ways, it could be said that he has poor leadership aidos, which leads to the mens' death.
- Bravery: it is continuously mentioned that Odysseus was a skilled and courageous fighter in the Trojan war, and also displays acts of bravery and heroism throughout his journeys.
- Determind: although Odysseus faces many obstacles and death sentences along his journey, he remains faithful to his end goal of returning home and reuniting with his family and kingdom.
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- Odysseus is the epitome of a Greek hero and offers the greatest contribution to the story's narrative.
- He is the one making his journey back to Ithaca after the war, and he is the only one left.
- The entire epic is based around him and the adventures he has on his return journey home.
- He is also a support and a stem to other important characters in the epic. For example, Penelope and Athene.
- Offers an opportunity for Homer to display Greek concepts and cultural information, through the epic, whenever Odysseus visits another land or island.
- The fact that Odysseus is gone for such a large period of time, allows the opportunity for Telemchus to grow older and therefore is able to carry out the 'Telemachy' in the first four books.
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- Penelope: being his wife, Odysseus obviously has a a strong relationship with her. It could also be said that their marriage, which is one of great respect, love and faithfulness (if in heart, but not in body), is the epitome of a Greek relationship, especially to Homer's audience.
- Circe: Odysseus spends a year with her and they have a close, romantic relationship, which only ends when his men warn him of their long period they have spent there.
- Calypso: although Odysseus is technically 'captured' by the nymph, he spends seven years on her island, sleeping in her bed each night. However, he does weep for his wife and son daily, and dreams of his homeland.
- Telemachus: by the time Odysseus actually meets his son, he is fully grown and almost a man, but the two still have a surprisingly instantly close relationship, as they weep at their reunion.
- Athene: she is his patron goddess, who is very close and constantly helps in his endeavours to return home safely, regain his kingdom and defeat the suitors.
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- Odysseus was fighting in Troy for 10 years, then travelled for 3 years, before landing and spending 7 years on Ogygia. Overall, it took him 20 years to get back to Ithaca.
- Athene is his patron goddess.
- His marriage to Penelope is the epitome of a Greek marriage.
- Although he isn't faithful sexually, he is in his heart.
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