1. His Journey as the Driving Force: Odysseus's quest to return home from the Trojan War is the central driving force of the entire poem. Each obstacle he faces, each encounter he has, and each decision he makes propels the story forward.
2. His Cleverness and Resourcefulness: Odysseus's intelligence and cunning are key to his survival. He uses his wit to escape perilous situations, outsmart mythical creatures, and navigate treacherous landscapes. These acts directly impact the plot, creating new challenges and advancing the story toward its climax.
3. His Encounters with Gods and Monsters: His interactions with deities like Athena, Poseidon, and Hermes, and encounters with monstrous creatures like the Cyclops, Sirens, and Scylla and Charybdis, introduce dramatic conflicts and introduce new plot elements.
4. His Relationships with Others: Odysseus's relationships with his crew, his family, and other characters influence his actions and propel the narrative. His loyalty to his men, his longing for his wife Penelope, and his conflicts with other characters, like Antinous, create emotional depth and drive the plot forward.
5. His Moral Dilemmas: Odysseus faces difficult moral dilemmas throughout his journey. His choices, whether to be compassionate or ruthless, to embrace deception or honesty, have profound consequences and affect the course of the story.
6. His Personal Growth and Transformation: As Odysseus faces challenges and endures hardships, he grows as a character. This personal growth, both physically and emotionally, is vital to the plot. His development as a hero, his understanding of his own weaknesses, and his journey to redemption all contribute to the narrative's climax and resolution.
In essence, Odysseus is not simply a passive character being acted upon by external forces. He is an active agent who shapes the plot through his choices, actions, and interactions with others. His journey, filled with trials, triumphs, and personal growth, drives the narrative forward and creates a compelling and multifaceted epic poem.