In the epic The Odyssey by Homer, the hero Odysseus progressively matures throughout his journey as he engages in guest-host relationships with Cyclops Polyphemus, the sorceress Circe, and Alcinous, King of Phaecia. Initially, Odysseus shows immaturity as he encounters Polyphemus as a guest on his island. After Odysseus and his crew defeat Polyphemus and escape from his cave, they rush onto their ship, ready to set sail. However, Odysseus “call[s] back to the Cyclops, stinging taunts” (IX, 530) and childishly throwing insults. Odysseus shows immaturity by showing disrespect and behaving rudely towards Polyphemus, his host. As Odysseus progresses on his epic journey to Circe’s island, some of his actions are still foolish, but they become decidedly…
Odysseus shows heroic qualities in the passage about the Cyclops. It states in the passage “ Odysseus is the cleverest of greek heroes because he is guided by the goddess of wisdom, Athena.”. Clever is a quality that heros have. This shows that Odysseus has a heroic quality.…
An epic hero is a character that displays many qualities enabling their strengths, and is admired throughout a story for their great achievements. There are many qualities that an epic hero should portray ranging from emotional to physical traits. Among these traits, they should show bravery and courage, along with intelligence, determination, and many more. Odysseus clearly displays many of these qualities in the adventures on which he embarks. Also, he shows bravery and courage when he confronts various types of creatures and challenges along the way. He will not stop fighting until he knows that he came out on top, which is a sign of determination. When Odysseus and his crew were trapped with a cyclops, they had to be quick witted to escape. Odysseus used his intelligence and creativity to flee the cave which held the cyclops. He did this by dressing up as sheep and going out with the herd in the morning. He demonstrates intelligence when he came up with a creative way to get out of that rigorous situation. Not only do most epic heroes have to have certain qualities about them, but they also all have a similar type of journey they go through. Though they all go through a journey, they are never exactly the same.…
In the Odyssey, Odysseus goes through many changes as a man. Odysseus goes from a very prideful man whose hubris and pride could become the downfall of him, Odysseus was also a fairly greedy man who while for the most part respecting everyone. Odysseus was also a man who was not very open to suggestions, he thought that he could do everything by himself. Through the story, and his journey Odysseus changes within all of these traits.…
In book 9 when Odysseus impales a burning wooden staff into Polyphemus’ eye then informs the raging cyclops that his name is nobody is an ideal instance in which directly exemplifies Odysseus’ intelligence significantly benefitting him where using his somatic fortitude would not. Before stabbing Polyphemus in the eye, Odysseus gets him drunk first to ensure he would not have enough coordination to attempt to kill him and his remaining crew members. The triumphant plan of intoxicating Polyphemus before impaling him so that his coordination will be disoriented rather than actually fighting him portrays why Odysseus is often times looked at as an respectable character. In attempt to get the cyclops tipsy, Odysseus says, “Three bowls I brimmed and three he drank to the last drop” (9.405). Then, Polyphemus asks Odysseus…
Sometimes you have to go through the worst to reach the best. Describes all the hardships that Odysseus has to go through to eventually get home to his loving family. The text where Odysseus’s crew says “Captain, shake off this trance, and think of home-if home indeed await us, if we shall ever see your own well-timbered hall on ithaca. They made me feel a pang, and I agreed.”(pg.925)…
Through The Odysseys entire journey, Odysseus would face struggles that would make a mere man tremble in fear. Homer's epic is centered around ones free will against the hierarchy of power, and Odysseus’ destiny to embark dangers for a way home. Many historians and translators of these tales believe that the fates were not heavily shown in these books due to a power unseen. Though not directly perceived, the sisters whom have controlled lives for hundreds of years are represented in the backround theme of an otherwise black and white curse. In the Odyssey by Homer, every step of the journey is tainted by a prowess a mortal can not comprehend. For one moment a man may find himself feasting upon a succulent cow thigh, the next may very well be…
Without wisdom Odysseus an Odysseus and his men would have been dead when they faced the Cyclops. He thought his cleaver plans through. Odysseus and his men gave the Cyclops wine so he would become drunk found in book 21 lines 9 lines (342-345). Odysseus offers swineherd and cowherd wives, cattle and homes built near his as a thank you for them helping them and being on his side even when he wasn’t there. With its larger-than-life plot twists, The Odyssey is a classic representation of an epic in literature. With that understood, it is no surprise that the main character of the story helps to define an epic hero. A character must express certain qualities to be considered such. Strength, courage, and nobility are almost basics.…
From outsmarting cyclopes to fighting the temptations of the Sirens, the main character of Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus, leads his men through any challenge put before them. In this famous epic, -Odysseus faces several challenges on his journey home from the ten year war at famed city Troy that have gripped readers for centuries. Cursed by the gods and a less the astounding crew he has to fight for survival and to find his way home from the battle of Troy to Ithaca. A leader by choice he works hard to inspire his crew knowing they're what will bring him home. Skilled at inspiring his men he is gifted with physical strength as well as a strong mind. His mind is quick and able to come up with ideas to save his crew and himself when it's needed. Some say that Odysseus is prideful and that that often puts him and his men at risk but this is untrue for most of his decisions are not for personal gain.…
In “The Odyssey” adapted from Homer, Odysseus is presented as a war hero who saves his friends multiple times and protects his family. Those who fight for their kingdom and protect its land are considered heroes for sacrificing themselves for the sake of others. This is evident in Odysseus when he partakes in “ten years of war against the mighty Trojans” (Homer 279). A hero is someone who is idealized for their courage and as a warrior, Odysseus fits the definition for doing his part in defending the kingdom. As his journey presses on, he continues to aid others, including the sailors among him. A hero protects those in danger, even if it endangers themselves. Odysseus proves himself when ignores the risk and says, “Eurylochus, I am their leader.…
Odysseus was a very faithful, courageous, brave, and a intelligent man. He was not very admirable though. For example, when Odysseus is "stuck between Charybdis and Scylla," he chooses not to tell his men about the nearing danger because he knew they would become alarmed and would put the entire crew and the ship in danger; instead, he said nothing, hid himself below, and allowed 6 men to be eaten! These next few paragraphs are going to explain situations in the epic that reveal some of these traits.…
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.…
In “The Odyssey”, Odysseus uses many traits on his twenty year journey back to Ithaca. Odysseus and his men fight the Cyclops, Sirens, and resist their temptation of the Lotus plants. In order to be a famous epic hero, like Odysseus, one needs to have numerous traits. Odysseus’s traits are strength, intelligence, and self confidence. These traits help define Odysseus as a hero and save his men from many close encounters with mythical beings.…
I think that so far in the story, at this point of the story, Odysseus had showed many of his characteristics, or traits throughout his actions along the sea. Some of the traits that I would use to describe him, like brave, leader, loyal, strong, smart,… With these characteristics, I can image him as a strong soldier, who is fighting for the country without escaping the death. I would want to be friend with him, but not close friend because although he was a great man, but he still have a lot of enemies since he was a soldier, and being close friend with him not only afraid of his enemies, but also goddesses since he make goddesses mad along the path when he was coming home from war. I would choose to be friend with him because if I’m friend…
Being a hero is a very difficult task; although some are born to do it, most of us need guidance to be heroic. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus, the main character, goes on an Odyssey- an adventurous journey with unexpected outcomes of fortune. There, he undergoes many challenges and dangerous situations and changes into a more wholesome individual. As a result of this Odyssey, it takes Odysseus twenty years to come home. During this period of time, Odysseus becomes more trustworthy, cautious, and responsible.…