The Odysseus: A Modern Day Hero

After defeating the Cyclops and heading back out into the sea he stood on his ship mocking the Cyclops. When escaping the cave he chose the wooliest ram for himself which shows selfishness. He also leads his men into their own fates. Circe had warned Odysseus about Scylla to not try and fight her even when she already has six of his men, but he did not listen to her advice and tried to fight her and lost three more of his men. Once back to Ithaca there were many suitors insulting him, his wife, son, house, and the gods and begging for Penelope’s hand in marriage.

The consequence of his decision is that shortly after Polyphemus devours most of his men but this bolsters him to conjure a plan to escape. After he successfully exits the cave by blinding the cyclopes, he and his surviving men board the ship. As a result of his pride, he calls out to the monster, "If anyone asks who put out your eye, tell them it was Odysseus of Ithaca!”(Hinds 109). Considering the fact Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon, the cyclops calls out to him and therefore starts the troublesome voyage for Odysseus back home. When he returns to Ithaca he learns to control his hubris by replacing it with patience.

When Odysseus yells out his real name to the Cyclops, as Odysseus and his crew of men were trying to escape the cave of the Cyclops “Cyclops-if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so,-say Odysseus raider of cities” (Homer, 21) Odysseus can be rather arrogant at times. Odysseus did not want the credit of stabbing a Cyclops in the eye go to “Nobody”. So, he told Polyphemus his real name. Odysseus wanted everyone to that it was he who took down the mighty Cyclops. However, like many other heroes, they are not perfect all the time.

Homer, author of the ancient Greek epic poem The Odyssey, explains the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his journey back home after the fall of Troy. Odysseus is illustrated as a man with a very complex personality, to which he obtains the expected qualities of a hero; yet he also acts against the idea of heroism. Many people believe that Odysseus fits the standards and expectations of a hero, because he possesses the desired traits of one. While others would disagree and argue that Odysseus is not a hero due to his foolish and selfish actions. Although, there are two sides to every argument, it is much more reasonable and clear to view Odysseus as unheroic.

The Webster's definition of a hero is “A person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities”, this also happens to be one of the qualifications of being an epic hero. There are many things that can be used to compare and contrast Beowulf as an epic hero and a modern day hero, but you’ll find that the human idea of a hero was primarily the same in 700 CE as it is now although the job descriptions of hero’s have changed. In today’s time a person is usually considered a hero if they help the public good, like a police officer, soldier, firefighter and so on. In Beowulf’s time a person was considered a hero if they were a great warrior. When looking at the characteristics of what makes Beowulf an epic hero and the characteristics

Yet, Odysseus ignores them and respond to the monster by shouting “Kyklops,/if ever mortal man inquire/how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him/Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye:/Laertes’ son, whose home is Ithaca!” (Book 9, Lines 548 - 552) Odysseus makes a very large tactical mistake; he tells Polyphemos’ that his is “Odysseus … Laertes’ son.” Odysseus demonstrates recklessness and selfishness because he wishes to take credit for “put[ing] Polyphemos to shame”. In addition by saying “raider of cities” it give him a more self-important look. All of which is extremely egoistical, not to mention

Although the word “hero” has transcended time, the definition has not. When modern-day humans go into reading about Greek heroes, expecting them to resemble our current ones, they are unpleasantly surprised to find selfish people who sometimes indiscriminately murder in the name of honor. In comparison, we value the firefighter that puts their life on the line to save others, the person standing up to the bully with pacifism rather than fists, and those that learn to forgive and forget instead of spending their entire lives seeking revenge on those that have wronged them. Thus, Achilles would not be considered a modern-day hero like he was in ancient Greece, because whilst they valued glory, brutal strength, and revenge, today we value selflessness,

This sequence of events changes his view and molds Odysseus’ character in regard to his surviving friends and family. For example, Odysseus taunted Polyphemus and incited the wrath of Polyphemus and Poseidon, which led to the deaths of all his crewmembers. That was incredibly unwise, and not worthy of a leader who is responsible for the protection protect of his men. However, Odysseus learns his lesson, and realizes that he needed to grow through his horrifying experience of the earlier deaths. By the time Odysseus finally returns to his home, he not only has a burning desire to avenge his family by killing the suitors, but he also attained a greater understanding for the suffering of others.

Jack then blows the conch and tells the boys that Ralph is a weakling and wants to a the leader, but the Ralph still remains as the leader. Jack is fed up and tells the boys whoever wants to leave Ralph's group with him can. Ralph now doesn't know what to do, but Piggy quickly reassures him by telling him that they should make a signal fire closer to shore. On the mountain, Jack makes himself chief among the boys that moved with him. Roger kills a sow and they put the sow’s head on a spear.

Odysseus just wants to get home to his family, and he is the commander of his men. He also looks out for his men, saving them several times. Odysseus also doesn’t try to get treasure or plunder towns. On one occasion where Odysseus was not looking out for himself is when he and a few of his men are stranded on Helios’s island, and Odysseus warns them not to kill the cattle. Another example is when his home and family are being taken over by the suitors, uninvited, and he kills them, a right and just punishment.