How does one change from a narcissistic creature to one that is patient and caring? That is a question we must ponder as we dwell into the mind of Odysseus, the hero of the epic, the Odyssey. Odysseus is a king lost for twenty years after the Trojan War, used to putting up a fight when it comes to surviving a new land. Imposing his authority over his crew, Odysseus demands “I alone should listen to their song... We must obey the orders as I give them” (lines 727-780). This shows how Odysseus uses his power to manipulate his shipmates into supporting his selfish decisions. After more ill-advised decisions that end up killing all of his shipmates, Odysseus is proclaimed to be a “patient hero” (lines 1328-1331). A fantastic example of dramatic…
{Odysseus was a hero because he was very brave throughout the many perils he encountered on the voyage home from the Trojan War. Odysseus tried his hardest to get all of his men home however he knew if he didn’t sacrifice some men no one would get home. Odysseus was clever and a bit of a smart-aleck he used these traits to his advantage. He lost all of his men because they wouldn’t listen to him. He tried to save them all however they refused to listen to him.}…
When one thinks of a hero, one thinks of a good hearted person. Someone who saves lives and is righteous. An epic hero like Odysseus is not the two dimensional character found in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. He exhibits both traits of a hero and a villain. While clever and determined, Odysseus is unfaithful and selfish. Although revered in the past, Odysseus is not so glorious today.…
Odysseus, the main character of The Odyssey,by Homer, certainly qualifies as an epic hero. He has help from numerous characters, defeats a handful of supernatural enemies, and is known by many individuals from across the land.…
A hero is somwone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself- Joesph Campbell. Odysseus is an an optimal hero in both the physical and metal sense. In the physical sense he is a tremendus hero, because he was challenged to all these extreme dangourous adventures; he umexpectly walks out alive after questioning for ten years long and facing the most extraordinarily dangerous creatures and people. Why would Homer set up this whole exciting experience with all the strange comings that Odysseus has to go through, if this was not to show that this stong and intelligent man is a great hero of the Greek world? What will a strong itelligent hero of greek times look like?…
On the subject of heroism, Maya Angelou once wrote that “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people” (Angelou). The general picture that comes to mind when the word “hero” is said is the idea of Superman or Wonder Woman; however, a true hero is anyone who tries to make their world a better place. Odysseus, the hero in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, fought in the Trojan War and embarked on a ten year journey to return to his kingdom, Ithaca. During his quest to return home, he encounters many supernatural forces that show both his heroic, and not so heroic actions. He faces countless challenges, meets new people, and has to make sacrifices for the overall benefit of his crew (Bowler and Homer 645-705).…
A big part of being a hero, is leadership. When Odysseus and his crew show up on the island of the lotus eaters, Odysseus sent his crew out. They found the lotus eaters,people who eat lotuses which makes them forget all of their goals and worries. When the crew is offered some they to forget what their goals and worries are. Odysseus soon finds out what is going on and went to investigate. When he saw what had happened to the crew he tried to get them off the island. In this moment Odysseus dragged them off the island and forced them to grab the oars and sail off. This is not most people's idea of a strong leader. On the other hand, he was able to save his crew. In conclusion, Odysseus knows when to be a strict or kind leader which contributes to why he is considered a hero.…
An epic hero is a figure of great, larger-than-life stature where his most remarkable traits are those valued by his culture. The Odyssey by Homer, tells a fascinating story of king Odysseus, who takes a twenty year journey in order to return to his home of Ithaca after his great victory in the Trojan War. After many years of life risking danger, is Odysseus really considered an epic hero? What makes a true epic hero? Odysseus’ pride, intelligence, and courage are the exact traits found in an epic hero.…
What makes a hero a hero? The ancient poem The Odyssey, written by the epic poet Homer, tells the story of a man by the name of Odysseus and his travels home to Ithaca after being at war in the Battle of Troy for nine years. Odysseus encounters many challenges and obstacles through the many adventures that he faces on his way home. His challenge concluding the story is of finding a way to rid the suitors that pillage his kingdom in order to retrieve his position back as lord and husband to his wife, Penelope. As Odysseus went on many adventures, he displayed the qualities of cleverness, bravery, and vengeance.…
What is the difference between a regular hero and an epic hero? Odysseus from Fagle’s translation of Homer’s The Odyssey and Claybourne’s The Adventures of Ulysses qualifies as an epic hero based on his daring adventures and actions on his detour home from Troy. He earns this title by traveling to various settings, many of which he has never before set foot on, setting himself apart from other men based on his actions of superhuman courage and great valor, and having the gods intervene in his quest from time to time. Readers will learn how Odysseus comes to fame from his exploits after the time of the Trojan War. Primarily, Odysseus proves to be worthy of an epic hero status from being well-traveled.…
What is an epic hero? Homers’ “Odyssey” is about an epic hero named Odysseus and his quest home. “The Odyssey” begins after the Trojan war had left Odysseus trapped, pointlessly seafaring for 10 years after angering Poseidon, the god of the sea. He tries desperately to return home to Ithaka and his wife, Penelope, and newborn son, Telemachus. Odysseus then has many hardships upon which he overcomes through his intelligence and wit. Odysseus is an epic hero because he is intelligent, he listens to the god’s advice, and he is witty; able to think on his feet. With the help of the gods he can survive things most men couldn’t.…
In the spiritual sense Odysseus is a hero, because he remains faithful and loyal to his wife and household. Although he has been wandering away from home for almost twenty years, the only thing that…
Odysseus is not a modern day hero because he tricked his men into thinking that he has logos. He convinced his men to be as brave as he is when they were going to fight through scylla. He does this because he knew he whould not get eaten while his men whould. as shown in this quote he gives his men ethos to get them ready “Well, I walked up and down from bow to stern, trying to put heart into them, standing over every oarsmen, saying gently, have we ever been in danger before this.” after he told them this they went to scylla and fought. Odysseus also has bravery when he stabbed the cyclops in his eye, he told him that his name is nobody to trick him. he also disguised his men as sheep so that they could get out of the cave. But one reason that is…
Odysseus is the hero that appears in The Odyssey, Homer's epic about Odysseus’s 10 year struggle to return home after the end of the Trojan War. In this epic, Odysseus battles mythical creatures and endures the wrath of the gods. All while being the epic hero of the story. Being the protagonist of this epic, Odysseus has many qualities that make him the hero.…
The general populous has hailed Odysseus as the epitome of the epic hero for several centuries, but to the modern reader, he comes off as anything but. While he was extremely driven by one goal, getting back home to his family, he performed some not-so heroic deeds on his quest and once he arrived back in Ithaca. Odysseus had many affairs and was disloyal to his wife, slaughtered hundreds of people in the name of righteousness, and above all, exemplifies hubris, or arrogant pride. These traits and behaviors are not acceptable for anyone, especially a person considered to be and hailed as a hero. Odysseus is not the epitome of an epic hero.…