Saving Others, Selflessly The word “hero” usually brings to mind a knight slaying a dragon or a firefighter rescuing someone from a burning building. But does one have to save a life to be considered a hero? Oftentimes, we assume that heroism is limited to physical bravery. This term, however, implies the notion of helping and inspiring others: a teacher cultivating a love for learning or a paraplegic Olympian reaching out to youth with disabilities. Because heroes range from Olympians to teachers, not all are famous--in fact, many remain unrecognized.
One can tell Odysseus’ need for Nostos when Circe gives him directions when passing the island of the Sirens. “She says, whoever draws too close [to the island], off guard, and catches the Sirens’ voices in the air – no sailing home for him, no wife rising to meet him, no happy children beaming up at their father’s face” (Book 12). If Odysseus did not care about what he has back home, he probably would have fell to the voices of the Sirens. However, when Odysseus approaches the island of the Sirens, he is bound to the ship to hear the songs of the Sirens, in which no one has ever lived past.
Homer, a poet from ancient Greece, wrote The Odyssey in which the values of the Greeks are revealed. As the hero, Odysseus, embarks on a journey home from Troy after ten years of war, one sees the traits that he is praised and rebuked for. Odysseus’ incredible strength and courage as well as his confidence both positively and negatively affect the outcomes of his decisions. Odysseus exemplifies exceptional strength and confidence. More often than not, these two characteristics are what keep him alive; however, he relies on them more than he needs to, which gets him in trouble.
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.
In the Odysseus (book 9), written by Homer, (book 9) has several symbolisms throughout the episode. One major symbolism used throughout this episode was hospitality. Homer use Cyclops and Odysseus to represent the different view of hospitality. Odysseus action symbolize the poor use of hospitality. Odysseus and his men sailed to the land of the Cyclopes.
Homers use of similes help the reader understand how he is comparing a certain thing, like a specific character, to something else. His Homeric similes go into depth when comparing two different objects, and continues to help the reader view what is happening in the book. Homers unsuspected similes draw the readers attention in humorous, strange ways, and his similes give more understanding. In the end of Book 5, Odysseus is being compared to an ember that has not burn out yet, and is still glowing or barely burning.
In The Odyssey, Odysseus proves to be a weak leader by being overconfident in Book 9, forgetful in Book 10, dishonest in Book 12, and having a short temper in Books 21-23. Odysseus has been gone from home for twenty years. Ten years in the Trojan War, and ten years trying to get back home. Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, has waited for her husband to return home, and has gotten to the point where she believed that her husband was dead. However, he was not dead.
A second characteristic that represents Odysseus to be an epic hero is being courageous. Meanwhile, as Odysseus traveled on his quest he landed on the island The Land of the Dead. He was advised by Circe, a powerful witch - who Odysseus met previously in his voyage - in order to go home was to speak with dead blind prophet. When Odysseus was on the island, he presumed to be slightly timid around spirits. As stated in Book 10 of The Odyssey, “From every side they name and sought the pit with rustling cries; and I grew sick with fear.”
Odysseus, one man on a journey to return home, goes through many struggles on his quest in which he “fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home… [but] their own recklessness destroyed them all” (951). The Odyssey is a story reflecting on Odysseus’s past 20 years of adventure, challenges, and battles as he struggles to return home. Written by Homer, it showcases the adventures of Odysseus one by one as he struggles on his quest. Character archetypes enhance the story by affecting Odysseus and his quest based on the traits of the archetype, either as a hindrance or help, including Circe the temptress, who evolves into a spiritual guide, gods playing the part of the mentor, and the many monsters he faces along the way that serve
Odysseus, glorious and epic in essence assisted by men of steel, faces a challenge that may be tougher than their own guts in one of Homer’s two mighty epics, The Odyssey, written in the 8th Century BC, and taking place 400-450 years before it was written. On their journey home from the Trojan War, shortly after setting sail from the lands of the Lotus Eaters, Odysseus and his men set foot on the mysterious land of the Cyclopes. This land is full of inhabitants, lawless, isolated, one-eyed, and large, with an appetite for humans. Unsurprisingly, as Odysseus and his braving warriors landed on this land, they inevitably took in weird vibes from the island.
Leadership can be established in how a hero guides his men and directs them. Numerous warriors from Greek Mythology are lauded for their control and management over their companions in times of difficulty and danger; furthermore, they are a model and an inspiration towards their comrades. Among several brave men, many people considered Odysseus to be incapable of being in charge, but some indications have also shown that his actions for the crew are sufficient. Even though both the controversies of the debate about the topic has information from The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is evidently an effective leader. Odysseus demonstrates as an efficient leader when they come across various threatening situations.
In literature, great leaders must have dominant characteristics that make them unique, but they must also make wise decisions. A person of such standards must have traits such as integrity, humility, and intelligence. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, the depiction of Odysseus as a legendary leader is lauded throughout Greek culture. However, even though his strong leadership is praised it is extremely distorted from the truth. Odysseus has demonstrated his fatal flaws; his hubris, inability to be loyal, and his narcissism.