ned by physical distance and a significant length of time, during which Odysseus undergoes the transformation of twenty years in age and encounters new discovery. For Bloom, the length of time of the story is one day, and the novel Ulysses compresses the whole of human experience and memory into that day's thought processes, expression and implication of needs, and desires of Bloom. Bloom's discovery is also not one of physical, manifest adventure but rather an adventure of the mind and psychological emotion, the interior rather than exterior significant life experience.
The view of human nature that emerges in The Odyssey also has remarkable differences from Ulysses, particularly the view of the central character. Homer's Odysseus is undoubtedly a heroic individual to the degree he lacks for no physical courage. It is Odysseus who wants to make sure he hears the Siren's song, Odysseus who understands the need for escaping the Lotus eaters, Odysseus who is willing to brave the Cyclops. But as Homer repeatedly indicates, there is a cunning feature to Odys
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