How did Odysseus go insane?

Odysseus did not go insane in the traditional sense. He was a clever and resourceful hero, but he did feign madness to avoid joining the Trojan War.

Here's how it happened:

* Avoiding War: Odysseus was a skilled warrior, but he didn't want to fight in the Trojan War. He was afraid of dying and leaving his wife Penelope and son Telemachus behind.

* The Trick: To avoid being drafted, Odysseus pretended to be crazy. He yoked an ox and a donkey together to plow his fields and scattered salt instead of grain. He even hid his son Telemachus to further his act.

* Palamedes's Test: The Greek hero Palamedes, a skilled strategist, knew Odysseus was faking it. He placed Telemachus in front of Odysseus while he plowed, and Odysseus, instinctively protecting his son, proved he was sane.

* Joining the War: Exposed, Odysseus had to join the Trojan War, but his cunning and bravery played a significant role in its eventual victory.

So, while Odysseus did pretend to be crazy, it wasn't a genuine mental breakdown, but a clever strategy to avoid war.