The Epic Hero: Odysseus

I would say that Odysseus is a hero because of these traits that he portrays throughout the book: -he watches out for his crew while he is on his voyage to get home. -give a definition of heroism and what it means to you and how Odysseus achieves this. -Odysseus also proves that he is a hero by wanting to get home also the ways that people would say that he is not a representation of a hero is that he showed little compassion for when his crew mates died, and moved on very quickly and wanted to keep moving towards home. hope this helps a little bit.Odysseus DOES have all the defining character traits of a Homeric leader: strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, and confidence in his authority. His most distinguishing trait, however, is his sharp intellect. Odysseus's quick thinking helps him out of some very tough situations, as when he escapes from the cave of the Cyclops in Book 9, or when he hides his slaughter of the suitors by having his minstrel strike up a wedding tune in Book 23. He is also a convincing, articulate speaker and can win over or manipulate his audience with ease. When he first addresses Nausicaa on the island of Scheria, for example, his suave, comforting approach quickly wins her trust.

Like other Homeric heroes, Odysseus longs to win kleos (“glory” won through great deeds), but he also wishes to complete his nostos (“homecoming”). He enjoys his luxurious life with Calypso in an exotic land, but only to a point. Eventually, he wants to return home.......

His Hubris (which can alos be a characteristic of an Epic hero -they are arrgrant!!) - Odysseus's love of glory prompts him to reveal his identity to the Cyclops and bring Poseidon's wrath down on him.

But by the end of the epic, he seems much more willing to temper pride with patience. Disguised as a beggar, he endures the suitors abuse until the traps he has set and the loyalties he has secured put him in a position from which he can strike back