Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

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. Throughout his journey, he is able to outsmart his opponents and come up with clever solutions to the problems he and his men face. For example, he devises the plan to use the Trojan Horse to enter and conquer the city of Troy, and he is able to outwit the Cyclops Polyphemus and escape from his cave. These actions showcase his resourcefulness and quick thinking, which are traits that are often associated with a hero. Another argument for Odysseus being a hero is his courage and bravery. Despite facing many dangerous and terrifying obstacles on his journey, Odysseus never loses his composure or his will to survive. He

One of the main criticisms of Odysseus is his tendency to be too prideful and arrogant. Throughout the poem, he frequently boasts about his own abilities and accomplishments, and this often leads to his own downfall, such as when he reveals his real name to Polyphemus, which causes the Cyclops to curse him, and Odysseus's journey becomes even more difficult. Another point against Odysseus being a hero is his treatment of women. Throughout the poem, Odysseus mistreats and objectifies women, by being unfaithful to his wife Penelope and taking the young girl Nausicaa as a potential lover without her consent. His actions toward Circe, Calypso and other goddesses are also not totally respectful, showing that he doesn't take the power of women