Polites

"Greet the world with open arms!"

- -Polites ("Open Arms")

Polites was Odysseus' closest friend and a soldier in his army.

Early Life
From early songs we find out that Polites grew up with Odysseus in Ithaca. From Your Light we find out that Odysseus once saved Polites from a boar sent by Athena when they were playing in the woods.

Act I
Polites first appears as the Greek Army sets sail for Ithaca after having defeated the Trojan Army. When Eurylochus informs Odysseus that the food supply has run out Polites is the one who points out the island of the Lotus Eaters in the distance and suggests asking them to share some food. Odysseus choses Polites to accompany him onto the island. In Open Arms, Polites tries to convince Odysseus to open up and be more trusting and kind. He tries to show him that being kind can be better than jumping to violence. When facing the Winions he asks them kindly if they have any food to share and they offer the pair some Lotus Fruit. Odysseus points out that the fruit is dangerous to eat as it can control the mind. He tells Polites that this is what kindness and trust gets you to which Polites kindly asks the Winions where they can get other food. The Winions point out an island in the east where they can find other food and the pair are sent on their way. Polities shows Odysseus they they can be successful if they greet the world with open arms.

Soon the crew arrive at the island in the east and a small group of men go to explore, Polites among them. They are overjoyed to find a large cave with plenty of sheep for all to eat. Things take a turn for the worst as they find out that the cave belongs to the cyclops, Polyphemus, who demands retribution for the lives of his sheep. A fight breaks loose and the men fight for their lives against the giant. Things look to be going in their favour until the cyclops decides he has had enough and pulls out a club. Polyphemus proceeds to bludgeon many of Odysseus' men including Polites who dies calling for his captain to help him.

The loss of Polites leaves a shadow on the rest of the musical as his loss changes both how Odysseus acts and feels, and how the surviving soldiers view him.