What has had the biggest influence on the route Odysseus takes home?
Shortly after leaving Troy on his way home Odysseus has a run in
with the Cyclops Poylphemus - who wants to eat most of Odysseus'
crew.
Odysseus isn't happy about this, he plays a trick on Polyphemus
which ends up with Polyphemus blind and Odysseus escaping with most
of his crew uneaten.
The trouble is: Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon, and Poseidon
is the god of the ocean.
If you are plannning a major sea voyage, it is a good idea not
to annoy the god of the ocean before you start. The god of the
ocean can make big trouble for people on ships.
Poseidon is the biggest influence on the route Odysseus takes
home - Poseidon doesn't want Odysseus to arrive, and does
everything in his power to make things difficult for him.
If you are a god of the ocean, and the chap you don't like is on
a ship - there is a lot you can do to annoy him.