Odysseus As An Epic Hero
Superman, Batman, and Ironman — they are the most admired heroes of today’s world. What makes these men the admirable heroes they are? Is it strength or is it stealth? Or is it wealth? In the epic, The Odyssey, written by Homer, a hero quite similar to the ones mentioned before can be seen. He is one of the most remarkable, classic heroes seen in western literature, and he indeed, is the great Odysseus. Several distinguishing traits of Odysseus make him an epic hero, and those traits can even be found in the heroes of today’s world. Throughout the poem, Odysseus establishes traits like determination, courage, and compassion, which prove that he is a true, Homeric hero.
Determination is a recognizable heroic trait that Odysseus demonstrates
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For instance, during Odysseus’ visit to the underworld, he encounters the spirits of Elpenor, a crewman, as Odysseus “wept for pity and called out to him” (11.28-29). This scene reveals that Odysseus is in fact, a compassionate and caring person, despite his unmerciful and heartless attacks towards his enemies. It shows that he deeply cares about Elpenor and his crewmen because he understands that they are suffering as much as he is throughout this tiresome and dangerous journey. Moreover, although Odysseus is the leader and the captain of his men, he does not hesitate to comfort Elpenor and show that he genuinely cares for him. Similarly, Odysseus also sees his dead mother, Anticlea and she tells him of how she died from a heartbreak after mourning for his return. Seeing the dead spirit of his mother he “grieves... through pang on pang of tears” (11.63-64). Odysseus shows sympathy towards his mother because he realizes that he has caused not only her, but also his father, wife, and son to grieve and suffer due to his absence. Although Odysseus is a warrior to his enemies, he after all, is a loving husband, father, and a son to the people he cares for. Odysseus proves that being a hero is not solely about strength, fearlessness, and victory. As a matter of fact, he fulfills the complete meaning of a true hero by showing compassion and sympathy towards the people he loves and cares for. Hence, through showing acts of compassion, he shows that he is a genuine
Examples Of Odysseus Being An Epic Hero
339 Words | 2 PagesIn the Odyssey, Odysseus displays a trait of being an epic hero by portraying how ethical he is. When he arrives at the palace of Alcinous in the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus sees the queen and… “he throws himself at her feet” (summary book 7). In this moment he shows great respect and is very conscientious of the queen. Many people during this time would most likely not throw themselves at the queen’s feet, but he did because of his respect for her. Odysseus shows his great amount of ethical abilities in his personality through this action.
Examples Of Odysseus Being An Epic Hero
728 Words | 3 PagesOdysseus, the Overrated Hero An epic hero is defined as someone who is “the main character of an epic poem that tells the story of a grand quest in which they use their extraordinary or superhuman abilities to achieve great things” (dictionary.com). Although The Odyssey is an epic poem and Odysseus goes on a grand quest using superhuman abilities, divine intervention made all of this possible. All throughout Odysseus’ expedition in The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus goes on a voyage similar to the steps of the hero’s journey, but it ultimately prevents Odysseus from living as a true epic hero because of his profusion of hubris, him completely relying on the help the gods generously give him, and his selfishness to others. Although Odysseus’ confidence
Odysseus Embodies The Characteristics Of An Epic Hero
451 Words | 2 PagesOdysseus displays many heroic features throughout The Odyssey such as acting selfless and brave. He is well-known for his twenty year long voyage, creating the Trojan Horse, and his heroic actions. The Odyssey describes Odysseus’ long expedition to make it back to Ithaca including all of the setbacks he encounters. This includes all of his interactions with other gods and goddesses who guide him in the right direction with his decisions.
Odysseus Is An Epic Hero
717 Words | 3 Pages“What makes a hero truly great is that they never despair” said Roy Thomson. Odysseus knows that his men will die, but he keeps pushing on to get home. In the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus shows he is an epic hero by his great strength and all his epic hero abilities. Odysseus has to travel home from the Trojan war, which he did not want to go to. He wants to get home so he reunite with his wife and son.
The Odysseus: A Modern Day Hero
570 Words | 3 PagesThe 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.
Humility In Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey
846 Words | 4 PagesOdysseus has grown from the man he was before, as now he finds comfort and safety in obeying the gods when in the past he did not consider their wishes. Odysseus has only returned due to Athena and he has recognized that and his compliance is founded in his appreciation and respect for her. Odysseus is now a hero due to the obedience he now has to the gods, founded in a sense of humility. Through Odysseus’ experiences on his journey, he learns the value of obedience and dangers of arrogance and ultimately, become a hero through the lessons learned.
Odysseus: An Epic Hero In Homer's Odyssey
196 Words | 1 PagesIn part one of Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus uses his epic hero qualities to help him out on his quest to get back home to Ithaca. He’s shows superb intelligence when fighting the cyclopes in “Book 9.” That’s a quality of superhuman intelligence that Odysseus possessed all throughout his entire journey. Another epic hero quality that helped Odysseus was help from Greek gods and goddesses. In part two of Homer’s Odyssey, Athena helped out Odysseus when he got back to his home land.
Odysseus: The True Hero In Homer's The Odyssey
997 Words | 4 PagesA hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. Anyone who puts themselves before others not for recognition or an award, but because it is the right thing to do, is a true hero. In "The Odyssey," written by Homer is an epic poem about a man named Odysseus and his crewmates competing against the power of the gods to return to their homeland, Ithaca. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus.
Characteristics Of Odysseus Being An Epic Hero
752 Words | 4 PagesDuring Odysseus’s journeys, while trying to find his way back home, he goes through many adventures showing off these characteristics of a hero. The first characteristic that Odysseus possessed, which shows he is an epic hero, is how brave he was. For instance, when Odysseus wanted to venture off to Circe and leave the island, it was Eurylochos that told him not to go without his
The Role Of Suffering In Homer's Odyssey
1141 Words | 5 PagesFrom the onset of the book, death is a recurring event, persistent throughout the entire poem. In many ways, the Odyssey is the story of the death of all of Odysseus’ friends and fellow fighters during their return home from conquering Troy. These deaths are particularly heartbreaking to Odysseus because, normally, one would expect that all dying would conclude with the end of the war against Troy. In this case, however, the anticipation of his return to his family at home became a series of tragedies. This sequence of events changes his view and molds Odysseus’ character in regard to his surviving friends and family.
Odysseus Crew In The Odyssey
1764 Words | 8 PagesIn the book called The Odyssey by Homer, it mainly follows the story of a king of a village called Ithaca, hundreds of years ago-This man, is named Odysseus. Odysseus goes through many adventures after the victory of the Trojan War. However, this is where Odysseus, is not being as strong as a great war hero and a king as he should be. Although Odysseus was seen as a very strong person, physically and mentally, he lacks the appreciation and the care of his crew throughout the trials and didn’t think through many of his actions thoroughly and how they would affect not only his crew but people around him.
Essay On Odysseus Is An Epic Hero
726 Words | 3 PagesIf you were to think about a man with great abilities like being strong, courageous and intelligent, you could think of people you personally or like me, you could think of someone such as Odysseus. Odysseus fits the definition of an epic hero because he is quick thinking, strong and courageous. Odysseus is one quick thinking individual. He has gotten him and his crew out some some sticky situations with his clever plans. One of these plans were how to get away from Polyphemus, a cyclops who was the son of Poseidon.
Why Is Odysseus An Epic Hero
1045 Words | 5 PagesOdyssey Essay “Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It’s strengthening of his powers of accomplishment” - Thomas Carlyle. In the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus, the king of Ithaca goes upon a journey, and encounters danger and challenges that prevents him from going back to Ithaca, which is his goal. And during the journey, he begins to become an epic hero.
How Odysseus Is An Epic Hero In Homer's The Odyssey
541 Words | 3 PagesThe Odyssey by Homer is a book that involves the Journey of Odysseus and his men and the Obstacles they come across. The Odyssey portrays many themes including vengeance, hospitality, courage, bravery and more. Odysseus experiences some good and bad during his journey. He comes across people who help him, but also comes across creatures who hold him back. Odysseus is an Epic hero because of his quick thinking skills, bravery, and confidence for himself and his men.
What Makes Odysseus An Epic Hero
831 Words | 4 PagesOdysseus has some good traits, some bad flaws, and has been in some ugly situations, but overall he is a true hero. Some of the traits that exemplify his heroism traits are his cleverness, determination, and his bravery. In several scenarios he saves his men from sticky situations, showing his bravery, his determination
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