... and later, when he returns to Ithaca he will need this skill. His temper during these four books can be ungovernable, as he says: 'Now when Eurylochus said that, I considered drawing the long sword from my sturdy side and lopping his head off to roll in the dust, but my men held me back and calmed me down'1. Nevertheless he has shown his patience and persistence before. For example he persists and continues to endure all that happens even when he 'had no further use for life, no wish to see the sunshine anymore'2. Earlier, in the Cyclops's cave we see Odysseus' restraint when he had 'murder in [his] heart'3 but held back and devised a better plan. It is possible to think that as his intense journey continues, Odysseus becomes less patient and his temper shortens, this would explain how in certain areas Odysseus shows patience, restraint ...

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