Answer:
In certain instances, these labels could be considered either compliments or insults, however, the direct connotations of "wily" and "tricky" are negative. If he were called "witty" or "clever," that would certainly be a compliment. However, the people calling him "tricky" or "wily" are typically not people who think too highly of him. These words are all synonymous, however, their conntations are different. While his deception and wittiness have helped him throughout his journey, there were times when he got away but was still punished for his deception. One example is when he blinds the cyclops Polyphemus, who then calls upon his godly father Poseidon to punish Odysseus. As a result, he returns to Ithaca having lost his entire crew and suffered immensely.
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