Hero Essay (Odyssey)

Some say a hero is defined as somebody who does something dangerous to help somebody else. Others would disagree and state that a hero is a large, muscular being who flys around in flamboyant spandex costumes. What is a hero to you? Over time there have been many epic heroes. Theses heroes show traits of strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, confidence in authority, and intellect. Both Odysseus from The Odyssey and Katnis from The Hunger games are alike in their heroic qualities, but show minor differences as well. Strength is a well recognized quality in heroes. Odysseus and Katnis both possess brutal strength. Several times in The Odyssey, Odysseus demonstrates this quality. One of the most apparent times is when Penelope set forth a task for the suitors to complete. This task was to string Odysseus’ great bow, then shoot an arrow through twelve iron hoops. She assigned this task knowing that only a man as bold and strong as Odysseus would be able to accurately complete it. Odysseus then dressed as a beggar came forward and completed the task, proving his identity and strength. Showing (Homer 1086 1015-1018). Katnis also demonstrates her inclined strength several times in The Hunger Games. A moment that sticks out is when Katnis is climbing the horn on the cornucopia, while fighting off mutated wolves protecting herself and Peeta. (Collins 332). Obtaining strength helps both heroes many times throughout their journeys. In addition to strength, a true hero beholds the quality of courage. Both Katnis and Odysseus obtain this important quality. Odysseus proves his courage an abundance of times throughout his epic tale. From start to finish he is constantly sacrificing his well being to protect his crew. For example, when he and his crew are trapped inside the Cyclops cave, Odysseus himself is the one to slay the monsters eye.
“O Cyclops! Would you feast on my companions? Puny, am I, in a caveman’s hands? How you like the beating we gave you,