“My father didn 't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it”. Every father wants their child to become better than themselves. A great father will make one’s life easier and worthful. Reputation falls after father 's whom determine one’s reputation. Homer uses literary devices such as patronymics, epithets, and similes in The Odyssey, to convey Greeks value their fathers and reputation.
In book 9, Odysseus plays a trick on Polyphemus to escape. He told Polyphemus his name was No Man, and that his father calls him No Man as well. This was an intelligent way to help him and his men with an escape plan. Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, is an essential person in his life. Penelope is one of the reasons Odysseus is coming home.
This constantly reminds readers of why Odysseus has to be back in Ithaca. As suiters “feed on another’s goods and go scot-free” and aim to marry Penelope, Homer vividly describes how Telemachus is not able to handle the uproar of the suitors and Penelope “[falls] to weeping for Odysseus, her beloved husband.” By knowing this information – that is blind to Odysseus but not to the readers – the readers are able to understand the urgency of Odysseus’s household. By doing this, Homer emphasizes not only Odysseus’s responsibility as a ruler, but also his duty as a husband and a father, leading readers to regard Penelope as the main drive for Odysseus’s grand journey. Therefore, the readers are able to deduce that the reason Odysseus has to return home is to protect his household, especially Penelope who is continuously forced to marry one of the
In “The Odyssey,” Homer uses internal and external conflicts to reveal Odysseus as an intelligent and hopeful, but selfish character. Intelligence is a valued trait that many heroes posses. In “The Odyssey,” Odysseus is portrayed as a man who uses brains over brawn to out think his opponents. Odysseus, When facing the cyclops, “[draws] on all of [his] wits” (418) to trick
Homer in the epic poem writes the life of Odysseus who exemplifies being a hero in such situations with remarkable leadership that he uses to return to Ithaca with his men. Throughout the journey Odysseus and his men encounter multiple obstacles and many near death experiences, but thanks to the leader Odysseus, the men escape from them. Odysseus as a hero and leader encourages his men and makes sure that no man is left behind. For example, on the ship when the men and Odysseus meet the six
The idea of who a hero should or should not be has changed drastically over the years, as have most things. In modern-day society we see a hero as someone who is selfless, bold, courageous, and honest. We see heroes as strong leaders of our society, someone who we would not mind our kids looking up to. In an era such as when the Iliad is written, the definition of a hero is much different. One of the main characters in the novel, Achilles, is looked up to by his peers as a fearless heroic warrior.
Odysseus is a hero because he had help from Athena, a fatal flaw in his character, and he also overcame complications throughout his journey and ended up proving himself to be valiant. Odysseus is a hero because
From Odysseus’ time with Calypso in Ogygia up until the moment he takes back his home and wife from the suitors in Ithaca, the struggles he faces help answer what makes for a good life. Homer uses Odysseus’ journey throughout “The Odyssey” to identify four aspects of a good life: mortality, honor, hospitality, and experiences. Homer reveals that mortality is necessary for a good life when Odysseus denies the opportunity for immortality that Calypso offers, he shows the significance of honor in his description of Odysseus’ bravery in the Trojan war and the consequent respect that Odysseus’ crew has for him, Homer reinforces the importance of hospitality in each city Odysseus travels to, and he conveys that experiences, good or bad, define a good life. The Greeks held their gods in high esteem and therefore when Homer or other characters in the epic refer to Odysseus as being “godlike,” this is one of the highest compliments he could receive. However, when Odysseus is in Ogygia with Calypso, he chooses mortality over immortality, which would truly rank him among the gods.
As he is the king, he is expected to excel in tasks like stabilising the society, settling disputes, calling council meetings and assemblies. He is also the commander of the Greeks in the war. Book 1 begins with Agamemnon brutally rejecting Chryses’ ransom to recover his captured daughter, Chryseis, which results in Apollo sending a plague on the Greeks. He also threatens to kill the priest if he ever came near the ships. Even after Achilles indicating the fact that Agamemnon is responsible for the plague ( Homer, 2003,Book 1,86-91,6 ), he feels entitled to take whatever prizes and honour he wants without apology (Homer,2003, Book 1, 117-121,7 ).When he tries this with Achilles, he incurs the great hero 's rage, with consequences for the whole army.
He lived during the time of the Trojans. According to myths, Achilles was part human and part god, also known as a demigod. People believed he was invincible and could not be killed. Achilles was a hero to his army because he was able to bring Troy to its knees ultimately causing it to fall. He is remembered because of Homer’s literary works.