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The Better Hero
When comparing Homer’s Odysseus to King Leonidas, Leonidas should be considered the greater hero. Leonidas proves his loyalty to his men by fighting alongside them in battle, even as king. Not only does Leonidas fight with his men, he also fight against a tyrant to preserve his democracy. Odysseus on the other hand is not trustworthy, and proves that by having an affair while on his long journey away from his wife, Penelope. Leonidas is a great hero, as well as a great king.
Leonidas, “King of Sparta around 490 - 480 BCE”(McCaffrey), was a great leader especially during the Battle of Thermopylae when he fought in the front line with his men. Although Leonidas was outnumbered by the Persians he did not retreat or surrender.
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King Leonidas goes into the Battle of Thermopylae to retain the Western Democracy. Along with a “heroic sacrifice because he sent most of his army away when he realized that the Persians outmaneuvered him”(Leonidas). Leonidas shows his loyalty to his men by sending most of them home where they would be safe, rather than fighting in a battle they were prone to lose. “Going forward I carried wax along the line, and laid it thick on their ears” (Homer). This action of Odysseus shows that he cares about his crew enough to protect them from the Sirens. Leonidas and Odysseus both share the traits of bravery, strength, and caring for their men but Leonidas is trustworthy and Odysseus on the other hand is …show more content…
“ ‘Son of Laertes, versatile Odysseus, after these years with me, you still desire your old home?’ “ (Kalypso, Homer). This quote is from Kalypso’s conversation with Odysseus talking about how Odysseus still misses his wife even though he is with Kalypso. While Odysseus was away on his twenty-year journey, he has an affair with Kalypso. On the other hand, Leonidas is honest with his people and does not sneak around or lie to anyone. “Since Greeks had only on legitimate wife, there was no need for such clarification when it came to prominent Greek citizens” (Schrader). Leonidas was Greek and only had one wife, he was also trustworthy, honest, and a better hero than
And how smart Odysseus was “And no one could there hope to rival Odysseus, not for sheer cunning-at every twist of strategy he excelled us all.” (p.111 134-136). After talking with old King Nestor Telemachus and Athena sailed off toward Sparta to meet with King Menelaus. They arrived during a double wedding for the king’s two children, where King Menelaus tells them his story “No man alive could rival Zeus, ...but among men, I must say, few if any could rival me in riches.” (p.127 87-90). Then he starts grieving for Odysseus “That man who makes sleep hateful, even food, as I pour over his memory. No one, no Achaean labored as hard as Odysseus…how they mourn him too, Laertes, Penelope, and Telemachus as well.” (p. 127-128 120-126) as well as Telemachus.
What are the key points you will want to emphasize in your online profile for Character 1 (3-4 sentences)?
Throughout history the themes of literature has stayed relatively the same; the situations have been updated to appeal to a modern audience. One common trait in great movies and literature is the presence of a heroic figure. Odysseus can be classified as a hero, because he departed from his home Ithaca the day his son Telemachus was born and leaving his wife Penelope to fight in the Trogon war. Odysseus starts out his journey with six hundred crewmen and twelve ships.
Odysseus has all the qualities made to be a true hero. Not only did Odysseus fight on behalf of the Greeks in Troy (Trojan War), but everything he went through he learned a valuable lesson at the end; Odysseus endured so much during his journey going back to Ithaca but he never gave up on any of his principles. He also had good escape strategies, and he risked his life to save others. Imagine you being on the same journey Odysseus went through, do you honestly believe you would have survived? He made some minor mistakes along the way but nobody’s perfect. That’s why Odysseus is a hero because, he’s strong, and intelligent and was able to get out of sticky situations.
In conclusion, Odysseus deserves the title of a hero because he shows bravery, displays a change in character, and has the Gods supporting him throughout his journey home. Odysseus has the courage to overcome physical, emotional, and intellectual challenges. While Odysseus he is on the hero’s journey, he vastly improves his character. He changes from arrogant to humble, and learns leadership qualities, and most importantly, his place in the world. Odysseus has the revelation that the gods are above him, and are in control. Because he realizes the supremacy of the gods, his reward is assistance from the gods themselves. Odysseus is not a perfect man, and is flawed, just like every other human. However, heroes are not gods.
But during my research I have found that Leonidas was not only a great general and king who led his men to the bitter end. He also proved himself to be honorable by not backing down from certain doom. He’s still remembered today for being not only a strong soldier, but a great and tactful leader. Works Cited The "Ephialtes of Trachis." Wikipedia.
A hero is someone who would sacrifice himself for others, someone who is selfless and caring. Odysseus from Homer’s, “The Odyssey” does not have these traits. Throughout the book, Odysseus displays many negative character traits that show he is not someone to be admired or treated like a hero. He is too proud, he does not listen, and he constantly puts his needs before that of his men.
Half of the room had their faces painted orange and brown. Half of the room had their faces painted black and yellow. I sat and looked at the other side of the room with total disgust. How could they call themselves Clevelanders as they sat and cheered on the enemy?
“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” includes a young, not Gary Busey, George Clooney at his finest playing, Ulysses Everett McGill. Ulysses is a fun character with a conman personality leading his crew to the treasure of a life time. The story takes place during the time of the great depression and Ulysses and his two fellow convicts escape from prison at the start of their journey. Throughout the movie, the three main characters go on an adventure to “secure the treasure”, with Ulysses depicted as their leader. He makes the men believe that fortune is in their future when, in reality, they are helping Ulysses get back to his wife before she remarries. The clock is ticking for our adventurers, as they do everything possible to make it on time. The
Overall, Odysseus is a hero because Odysseus is a clever and intelligent man, he is a courageous soldier and leader, and he is loyal to his crew. He never gives up even though it seems like nothing will go right. Odysseus fights against difficult odds and takes unimaginable risks, but stays loyal to his crew one hundred percent of the way. Odysseus is not only a model hero, but he is an epic
Odysseus, during his long journey, exhibited many heroic qualities including bravery, strength, and determination. He was determined to return to his family after hs journey, and he bravely fought to stay alive during the cyclope situation, as well as other situations, and showed strength by being able to battle the cyclopes in self-defense. However, Odysseus was also obnoxiously arrogant about his victory and was actually very selfish throughout his entire story; he almost did not leave his town to help with the war because he did not want to leave to protect his family. Although Odysseus exemplified heroic qualities, this does not make him a true hero.
Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle. His actions against Polyphemus, the Suitors, and his men truly show that he is in fact the opposite of a hero. The actions he takes to return home safely and to get back his throne are very cruel and show signs that he lacks the nobility of being called a hero, or a king, or a warrior. He has shown that he powerful, destructive, and ruthless and these are qualities that a hero must not have. Odysseus, the mighty King of Ithaca is not a hero because he is not selfless, gentle, or merciful.
Ultimately, Odysseus' journey to Ithaka is about embracing one's life, accepting the challenges, the dangers, pitfalls, and joys, with courage, tenacity and a keen sense of what it takes to maintain balance in one's life.
Both men are brave in their own way. Odysseus has to develop his bravery during his travel. He did not want to fight in the Trojan War, but was tricked into going. If he had not gone, then Poseidon would not be mad at him. Odysseus gets braver as his journey continues throughout the epic. Odysseus shows his bravery through the example that he sets for his men. When he and his men are getting the Cyclops drunk so that they can defeat him, he says, “So, you ask me the name I’m known by Cyclops? I will tell you. But you must give me a guest-gift as you’ve promised. Nobody- that’s my name. Nobody- so my mother and father call me, all my friends.” (Homer 9.408-411). Odysseus showed his bravery and wisdom by thinking ahead to what the Cyclops might do when they attack him. This proved to be helpful because the other monsters come to help the Cyclops, but left when he screams that nobody is killing him. Odysseus’s bravery is built into his character and is shown through his
At the Battle of Thermopylae, Leonidas and his troops fenced off the Persian attacks for seven days straight, including three days of intense battle, while killing off large numbers of enemy troops. On page 134, Demaratus told Xerxes, “Greece has poverty as her birthright, but she has also won courage by her own merits, namely by her wisdom, and the strength of her laws. With courage, Greece is able to keep both poverty and despotism from her shores … don’t bother to ask how man they are that they are able to do this; if there are but a thousand in the field, these will fight you; if they are fewer, or more, these will fight you just the same.” So that is how the Greeks withstood the Pesian force for so long and even their elite special force ‘The Immortals.’ Eventually Leonidas became aware that his force was going to be attacked and taken over, and therefore diminished the vast majority of the Greek army rather than suffer more high casualties. Leonidas himself however remained behind and defended Sparta with his 300 Spartan soliers and some other remaining Thespians and Thebans. Leonidas was killed in the resulting battle. Xerxes was a very angry man who fought for revenge and power whereas Leonidas fought for his country. There is also the comparison of Xerxes and Alexander the Great. Alexander, ages 20-32, commanded a much