How Is Odysseus A Hero

A hero is defined as a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. When looking at the epic poem The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus ,the protagonist in the poem shows outstanding achievements, courage and bravery . Odysseus travels through the 12 steps of heroism physically but still has self involved motives and does things for the glory of himself. Odysseus has embodied the definition of heroism through his actions and courage but not through his rationale.

As odysseus is faced with many setbacks he chooses to handle them in an injudicious way. The most accurate example of odysseus being physically brave and mentally weak is odysseus blinding the cyclops and irritating him. Odysseus blinded the cyclops by stabbing his eye out. As Odysseus and his men fled the island of sicily he could not resist his pride by shouting “Cyclops,

As odysseus returned home from his 10 year journey he found his house infatuated with suitors stealing his food and being unfaithful to his wife. Odysseus did everything to protect his wife and son “ I would not stay my hands from the slaughter, until I had taken revenge for all the suitors' transgression. Now the choice has been set before you, either to fight me or run, if any of you can escape death and its spirits. But I think not one man will escape from sheer destruction.” Odysseus used his bravery

Odysseus exemplifies several of the characteristics that are necessary to portray a hero. Although Odysseus’ pride and arrogance got to his head and his decisions became self-centered, we can learn many lessons of intrepidity from his actions that he partook in. Odysseus is comparable to many of our highly thought of figures in today's society. Every hero, no matter how perfect and faultless, makes mistakes based on pride and