What qualities should an individual have to be considered a hero? Some may say that a hero is an exceptional warrior whereas other may argue that a hero is an individual who uses clever tricks and pure wit to defeat his enemies. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, there are many heroes who display qualities such as bravery, loyalty, and courage that make them a heroic individual. However, it can be said that there is no character who is more of a hero than Odysseus is for numerous reasons. Odysseus has displayed outstanding achievements, persistence, wisdom, and all other characteristics mentioned above which make him the ultimate hero in the poem. Odysseus proves himself to be a true hero because he is able to overcome challenges and …show more content…
Odysseus cannot be proclaimed a hero because of his tragic and fatal flaw. Odysseus is guilty of hubris, or his excessive pride. One of the most prominent examples is after he defeats the Cyclops. Odysseus had done an excellent job of concealing his identity to the Cyclops throughout the book, yet he reveals his identity in the end. “I called back with another burst of anger, ‘Cyclops – if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so – say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye!” (IX 558-561) Right before they depart from the island, Odysseus shouts out the above statements. This is most certainly foolish and a clear mistake on his part. This is because as a result of his hubris, he further intensifies his punishment from the Gods. It is clear that Odysseus wants to be known for taking down the mighty Cyclops and feels an overbearing amount of pride from accomplishing such a task. Furthermore, Odysseus attaches a title to his own name as the “raider of cities.” Clearly, this is only one event that occurred yet he is so eager to boast about his achievements that others could not do previously. Thus, Odysseus digs his own grave in the sense that he made his journey harder and more difficult by revealing his identity as a consequence of his hubris. The Cyclops tips off to his father Poseidon, “If I really am your son and you claim to be my father – come, grant that Odysseus, raider of cities… never reaches home.” (IX 587-590) Poseidon responds to the prayers of his son, the Cyclops, and contributes to the trouble that Zeus already has brewing for Odysseus and his crew. Odysseus also is not a hero because he lacks the leadership skills necessary to efficiently return to Ithaca. This is because Odysseus fails to command authority and his crewmen do not follow his orders. Circe warned
The Odyssey, a Greek epic written by Homer has many characters that could be considered heroes, but none as greatly debated on whether he should be called a hero as Odysseus. Odysseus is a hero due to the fact that he wants to protect the ones he loves, shows courage through his actions and words, and as a leader is able to inspire others to have courage. Odysseus’s family
Because of his actions, and this traits, Odysseus is not the archetype hero that people think his
I believe Odysseus is not a hero because he let many people die. He also didn't save his men from the Cyclops “He couldn't save his people.” I personally think that he didn’t try to save them at all. Odysseus did not save his people in time. According to Homer, “ While he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home.
Throughout the story, Odysseus has to find a way to bring his crewmates and him back home safely. Eventually, he returns back home and sees his family. Although some may claim that Odysseus is not a hero, he should be considered one due to his bravery and cleverness. Throughout the story, Odysseus proves he is a hero through his unwavering bravery.
Odysseus is Not a Hero The translated version of the story The Odyssey, also known as The Epic, is a story about Odysseus, king of Ithaca, spending ten years on a journey back to his homeland. During his trip home, Odysseus makes cowardly decisions that reveal he is not a hero. Odysseus is not a hero because he is selfish, greedy, and secretive. Odysseus is not a hero because he is selfish. When Odysseus is leaving Ismarus; the island of the Cyclops, Odysseus and his men are sailing away from the island after escaping the Cyclops cave by stabbing him in the eye.
The concept of hero has been interpreted in many ways throughout the ages. Hero have gone from knights slaying dragons and rescuing the princess, to heroes who save the world with their supernatural-like powers, to a modern day hero who is someone who has noble qualities and is regarded as a role model. In the epic, The Odyssey, by Robert Fagles, the heroic Odysseus is a well known in Greek mythology. However, although Odysseus is the most respected, honorable hero of Greek mythology he is not a modern hero. A modern day hero is someone who puts their life on the line to save the lives of other innocent people.
Odysseus is not a hero because he stabs Polyphemus in the eye and blinds him. Odysseus is still a hero because he is a leader. Moreover, after Odysseus and his men fight the Cicones, he orders ¨Back and Quickly! Out to sea again!” (Homer 984).
Overall, Odysseus is often portrayed as a “model hero”, but in reality he has many faults such as being untrustworthy, arrogant and
In Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus is portrayed as a complex and multifaceted character, and the question of whether or not he is a hero is one that has been debated by scholars for centuries. On one hand, Odysseus possesses many admirable qualities that are typically associated with a hero, such as intelligence, courage, and leadership. On the other hand, he also has many flaws and makes many questionable decisions that call into question his heroism. One of the main arguments for Odysseus being a hero is his intelligence and cunning.
Odysseus portrays those three heroic traits throughout his voyage home to Ithaca, which is why he is a hero. Odysseus is highly dedicated to his reputation and ego for the whole of his rocky and treacherous journey. From going up against a cyclops that is five times the size of him, to placing wax upon his crewmates’ ears to mute the singing of the Sirens, Odysseus is brave when he faces his fears and intelligent when he creates lifesaving tools from ship materials. A modern hero can be someone who saves a life or even sacrifices his or her own for someone else. Odysseus can be compared to a modern hero because he risks his own life to protect his crewmates.
Jason Sierra Professor Williams 5 October 2014 Word Count: 752 Odysseus: An Epic Hero The definition of a hero is a person with supernatural abilities at performing specific tasks that normal people cannot typically achieve. In the epic poem called “The Odyssey” written by a poet named Homer, there is a character named Odysseus who contains these characteristics.
In The Odyssey Homer makes Odysseus’ journey to his beloved Ithaca excruciating. Odysseus encounters many friends and foes throughout his journey and has to be a leader throughout his experiences. As an example, he encounters Polyphemus and Poseidon, both of whom make his journey mentally and physically painful. Odysseus faces countless scenarios in which he has to save multiple people in those situations. He also encounters the suitors, who are a group of men that try to marry Penelope, when he returns to reclaim his home.
Odysseus is an epic hero because of his bravery and confidence during every obstacle throughout his journey In Part 1 whie Odysseus is about to come across cyclops cave, he says “I brought along and victuals in a bag, for in my bones I knew some towering brute would be upon so soon- all outward power, a wild man, ignorant of civility. “ Odysseus is showing his bravery of not being petrified of what he might come across, like the cyclops. Odysseus has no intention of harming them, but he is not sure what their intention is. This example is important because not only does it show confidence in himself, he also shows confidence in his men. In Part 2 Odysseus also shows his confidence in his men in part 2 where Eurylochus says, “Are you flesh and blood, Odysseus, to endure more than a man can?
In the book The Odyssey, the main character, Odysseus, is a man who is loved and respected by many. In the beginning of the book, we learn that Odysseus has left on a journey and, since it has been many years since his departure, many people assume that he has passed. On his journey, he portrays his many traits, not all of them being good ones either. Some of his good traits include his cunning, bravery, and hard work ethic. On the other hand, his negative traits are his excessive pride, immense curiosity, and rather large temper.
In The Odyssey, Odysseus was a major hero of the novel. He had both heroic traits and human weaknesses. Odysseus defeated the Cyclops, defeated the suitors that were courting his wife, and overcome other challenges throughout the novel. A special trait that made Odysseus a hero was that he was a courageous