Drinks, Deception, and Dependability: How Homer’s Nobody Reinforces Purpose in Life

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Stories have a unique way of resonating with us—at least, they do with me—because we can see ourselves reflected in them. One ancient work that everyone should experience, if they haven't already, is Homer's great poem, The Odyssey. The legendary Odysseus is an inspiring figure, and we can relate to his struggles or imagine our own lives as echoing those mythological adventures. One of the most memorable stories from The Odyssey is his encounter with the Cyclops.

As the tale unfolds, Odysseus and his men, after mooring their ships and exploring the island, are trapped in a cave by the fearsome Polyphemus (Butler & Dirda, 2013, pp. 527-539). The Cyclops begins to devour Odysseus’s men, eating them for breakfast and dinner. Imprisoned by a massive stone blocking the cave entrance, the men are desperate to escape. In a tense exchange of wits, Odysseus offers Polyphemus wine in hopes of gaining his favor. The Cyclops, growing drunk, promises Odysseus a "gift" if he reveals his name. Demonstrating his street smarts, Odysseus says, “My name is Nobody.”

Later, while Polyphemus is unconscious from the wine, Odysseus and his men sharpen a wooden stake and drive it into the Cyclops’s eye, blinding him. Polyphemus cries out for help to the other Cyclops, but when they ask who is hurting him, he yells, “Nobody is trying to kill me!” Perplexed, they assume he is ill and leave, laughing at his alcoholic buzz.

In the end, Odysseus and his squad break free by camouflaging themselves in sheep's wool under the bellies of Polyphemus’s sheep as they silently bid farewell. Once at a safe distance, Odysseus—ignoring his crew’s warnings—reveals his inner ego, shouting, " If anyone asks who blinded you, tell them it was Odysseus, the greatest man-at-arms.”

This story reminds us of our own search for identity and purpose. Odysseus’s use of cloak-and-dagger tactics was a smart way to outwit his kidnapper, employing a twist of espionage to secure his release. His prideful self-revelation symbolizes that while we may sometimes feel like “nobody,” each of us is, in fact, someone with a unique purpose and story. We can thank Homer for his long-lasting mythological epic poem on purposeful living, and we can appreciate contemporary scholars today.

Having a sense of purpose in life is vital to our well-being and even our survival. One key aspect of finding that purpose is our connection with others—a point that relationship experts consistently emphasize. Pogosyan (2026) explains that other people matter more than we often realize, echoing insights from positive psychology researchers like Christopher Peterson. She reminds us that the way we show up in the world and the quality of our interactions often matter as much to others as they do to ourselves. Meaningful relationships and engagement with others take precedence over simply spending time together.

Medical research has also highlighted the health benefits of having a sense of purpose. Dr. Jordan Grumet (2026), a palliative care physician, shares lessons from patients at the end of life, emphasizing the wisdom and clarity that can emerge in a person’s final days. Also, in a study of retirees aged 50 and above—the Health and Retirement Study—researchers found that a low sense of purpose was associated with higher mortality (Alimujiang et al., 2019). Purposeful living, in turn, is associated with greater happiness and lower levels of depression (Ryff & Keyes, 1995).

These researchers note that happiness is not simply about the absence of hardship. Instead, it emerges from a balance of life’s positive and negative experiences. Factors like work, relationships, finances, and where we live all contribute to our sense of well-being. Ultimately, while happiness is important, having a sense of purpose is a fundamental element of positive functioning, helping us navigate life’s challenges and find meaning—even when circumstances are difficult.

Together in the struggle,

Brian

References:

Alimujiang, A., Wiensch, A., Boss, J., Fleischer, N. L., Mondul, A. M., McLean, K., Mukherjee, B., & Pearce, C. L. (2019). Association between life purpose and mortality among US adults older than 50 years. JAMA Network Open, 2(5). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.4270

Butler, S., & Dirda, M. (2013). The Iliad and the Odyssey: Homer. Barnes and Noble.

Grumet, J. (2026). The Paradox of Purpose: The idea that purpose must be grand leads to stress and feelings of inadequacy. Psychology Today, 26–27.

Pogosyan, M. (2026). The How of Human Connection: Why do other people matter so much when it comes to finding joy and purpose in life? Psychology Today, 30–31.

Ryff, C. D., & Keyes, C. L. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69(4), 719–727. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.69.4.719