Many people look at the trials they go through in life as bad and unpleasant events. They see trials as inconveniences, and see no benefit or gain from enduring these trials. However, this common point of view is not correct. A person has much to gain by going through trials. Evidence of this is shown in Homer’s ancient Greek epic, The Odyssey. In The Odyssey, the trials that Odysseus and his family face form foundations that truly build and shape their characters.

Throughout the epic, Odysseus’s character is changed significantly by the trials and hardships that he goes through. The first example of this is when he prays to Athena for assistance. Odysseus says: “… if but Athena granted what I prayed for,” (903). Up until this point, Odysseus has been totally convinced of his own superiority. He has almost never thanked the gods for anything. However, here he prays for help, acknowledging that he cannot do this on his own. Another shaping of his character is shown while he is being help on Calypso’s island, where Homer writes: “… to find Odysseus in his stone seat to seaward – tear on tear brimming in his eyes,” (892). This shows that the trials he has endured so far have strengthened his bond with his family. On his quest, he has gone nearly everywhere, and been with nearly everyone. Now, he realizes that the only place he wants to be is home, and the only people he wants to be with are his family. Lastly, and perhaps the most important lesson, is patience. After arriving home, the young Odysseys would certainly have rushed into his home and attacked his wife’s suitors in a rage. This surely would have lead to his death. Fortunately, Odysseus learned patience on his long journey home. Therefore, he spends time planning the perfect trap for the suitors (934). In the end, he successfully kills the suitors without losing his own life, and reunites with Penelope. Of course, while he was on his journey home, his son was learning from the trials that he went through as well.

During the time that Odysseus was gone, Telemachus, his son, went through some trials of his own. A challenging obstacle that he faced was growing up without having a father present. Another was constantly being surrounded by his mother’s suitors. Thankfully, he learned from this horrible experience. Telemachus offers to protect Odysseus, even though he thinks that he is simply a beggar (930). This demonstrates that Telemachus has learned politeness and kindness from his trials. Rather than being cruel and rude like the suitors, he has decided to be kind and helpful. Another one of the trials he experienced was a long journey too sea in search of his father. Even though this journey was difficult and ultimately not successful, it helped to develop Telemachus’s character. On his quest, he learned humility and patience, which is shown when he learns of his father’s return. He has a perfect opportunity to start gloating to the suitors but instead he waits (932). This ensures that Odysseus will be able to carry out his plan. By no revealing his father’s return, he saved both of their lives. Lastly, Telemachus fights the suitors alongside his father (943), showing that he has hardened against them. All of the wrongdoings they have brought upon him shape him into a man who will punish them without hesitation. This may seem to be a negative trait, but it helps him defend his mother and father.

Just as Odysseus’s son is shaped by trials, so is his wife. She faces various trials throughout the time he is gone. She must manage the kingdom, the house, and raise her son by herself. This has helped her as well as hurt her. She is very kind and respectful to the beggar (934), whom she does not realize is Odysseus. This shows that all of her trouble with the suitors has taught her that being cruel is not the answer. She has seen how horrible they are and has decided to be just the opposite: a good and gracious hostess. Later she comes up with a clever way to test the suitors: “Here is my lord Odysseus’s hunting bow. Bend it and string it if you can,” ( 936). Inventing such a test shows that she has a good deal of creativity and intelligence, which she developed while dealing with the suitors for so many years. Finally she shows ye another way that trials have shaped her character. When she is first told that her husband has returned, that this man is no other than Odysseus, she does not immediately believe him (944). As a result of all the trouble she has gone through, she has wisely decided not to trust people without good reason. This is a good quality because being overly trusting could lead to her downfall. Obviously, Penelope has benefited from her struggles.

Clearly, trials can be beneficial, rather than simply detrimental. Throughout his legendary epic, Homer demonstrates many situations in which trials and hardships have shaped a person’s character for the better. These trials may have been undesired and frustrating, but in the end they turned out to be positive influences on each person’s character. Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus have all learned important lessons and developed positive traits during their long troubles. Just as the characters in The Odyssey grew from their struggles, everyday people will grow from the trials they face in their everyday lives.