It may be difficult to understand how the Odyssey, a 2,700-year-old epic poem about gods and monsters, could symbolize life today. The Odyssey, however, parallels a journey through life because of the decisions Odysseus makes and the decisions I will make, as well as the trials he has endured and the challenges I will face. Some of the obstacles I will face in the future, including high school and college, may not be as severe as the monsters that Odysseus faced, however, they are still everyday situations that I must learn from. In the Odyssey, Odysseus must learn from his mistakes and apply what he has learned to succeed in his life. The only way to be successful is to learn from the mistakes we make and the mistakes of others. We use these errors as guidelines and limits to shape our decisions. In the scene of the Lotus Eaters, Odysseus sent some men to explore the island, but when they returned, Odysseus forced them to come on board: "After they had eaten and drunk, I sent two of my company to see what kind of men the locals could be, and they ...