Essay On Odysseus Being A Hero

Hero: “a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities” (Merriam-Webster) Evident in many classic stories, the hero is always the character that makes the justifiable choice. Their role as the hero is never questioned. The hero always prevails, and in the end, the hero accomplishes the journey with greater wisdom, knowledge, and reestablished views of the world that compensates for the horrors they encounter along the journey. In this story, however, the main character cannot be justified as the hero; he can only aspire to be one. Throughout the epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer vividly illustrates how often times, a person who has gained a certain title will struggle under the pressure of maintaining the continuous justification of the role. This is seen through Odysseus’ endeavor to maintain the responsibilities of a hero along his journey as well as managing the role that come with being a hero.

Although Odysseus ventures to become the responsible, classic hero, he acts irrationally whenever he encounters an obstacle as seen through his confrontation with Scylla and Charybdis, proving his intentions of a hero but the lack of ability to execute his heroic actions to the fullest. “‘Hug the cliff of Scylla, take your ship through on a racing stroke.’ ‘Only instruct me, goddess, if you will, how, if possible, can I pass Charybdis or fight off Scylla when she raids my crew?’ ...Circe’s bidding against arms had slipped my mind, so I tied on my cuirass...” (Homer 68-69, 72-74, 164-169) Upon returning from

He struggles with assuming the role of a hero when he ignores warnings others advise in good will. Odysseus shows the difficulties of managing the responsibilities and role of a hero. He also shows how difficult it may be; for he is unsuited to be considered a hero for the flaws he cannot