Brains vs. Bronze

930 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: An analysis of Odysseus' characters

Brains vs. Bronze

What separates a hero from a regular man? Does large muscles and courage make a hero, or intelligence and wisdom? Andrew Bernstein once said, “A hero holds purposes appropriate to man and is, therefore, a thinker.” In this instance, Odysseus in The Odyssey is the accurate definition of the epic hero. Odysseus overcomes crazed goddesses, raging seas, and vengeful gods; however, by cunning or strength? Cunning versus strength has been the age-old question concerning the ‘hero’ of epic tales of all times. In The Odyssey, Odysseus exhibits many signs of cunning versus strength to get himself and his crew out of tough situations.

To begin with, there are many examples of Odysseus using his mental strength over his physical strength. To illustrate, in book 9 Odysseus and his crew is faced with an unmerciful Cyclops named Polyphemus. Odysseus and his men were subject to watch their own be smashed to pieces and ate as a meal by the Cyclops - helplessly. Odysseus restlessly thought of a plan to rescue himself and his men, but if he just killed the Cyclops, he and his remaining men would never escape the Cyclops monstrous cave. Therefore, as he witnessed his crew’s lives end, he reverently devised a plan to escape the Cyclops cave. He finally conjured an ingenious plan. Odysseus fills the Cyclops with fine wine; however, his most ingenious aspect was what he spoke to the Cyclops, “you ask me my name…my name is Nobody” (Homer IX, 365). This was the most important aspect because after Odysseus stabbed the Cyclops eye out the Cyclops screamed, “It’s Nobody’s treachery, not violence that is doing me to death” (IX, 408). So, obviously with ‘Nobody’ attacking the Cyclops, nobody came to his aide. Odysseus an...

... middle of paper ...

...sion and skill, Odysseus exhibited his full physical capabilities to all the suitors. Odysseus’ strength is one of his greatest qualities that assist him on his long weary journey home. According to Simon Argimate, “ Odysseus embodies such qualities as bravery, physical strength, and supreme cleverness, but he eventually also comes to represent the more mature attributes of endurance, wisdom, and self-control” (1). With these qualities, Odysseus is able to finally return home to Ithaca to his wife Penelope.

In conclusion, Odysseus’ brutal strength and cunningness is what carries him on his 20-year journey back home. However, is it his strength or brains that help him most along on his journey? This is a question that most cannot readily answer. Is Odysseus what most would call the traditional epic hero, or is there more than one type of epic hero?

Show More
Related

  • Comparing the Hero in Homer’s The Odyssey with the Modern Hero Described in Whitman’s I hear America Singing

    648 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Homer’s the Odyssey, Odysseus has many different qualities that classify him as a hero. He is brave and courageous as shown when he murdered all the suitors who were disrespecting his property even though he was outmanned by them. Despite this, he is by no means all brawn and no brain as he shows his intelligence and cunning numerous times during the epic. A few example of this would be when he was able to blind the one-eyed Cyclops while the rest of his crew didn’t know what to do. Odysseus in many ways is similar to a flowing river, because whenever there is a problem (dam in the river), he would first try to go through it, but if he can’t he would then find a way ar...

    Read More

  • Role Models in The Odyssy

    695 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of Odysseus’ traits is bravery. One example of Odysseus’ bravery is when he injures a Cyclops that is 5 times his size, “I drew it from the coals and my four fellows/ gave me a hand, lugging it near the Cyclops/ as more than natural force nerved them, straight forward they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it/ deep in his crater eye. 329-332” This quote shows how brave Odysseus and his men are to face the Cyclops. Odysseus was intelligent to think about this idea, but he was brave for actually following through and doing it. Odysseus was also brave for fighting Penelope’s suitors even when he was outnumbered, “Now shrugging off his rags the wiliest fighter of the islands/ leapt and stood on the broad doorsill, his own bow in his hand/ he poured out at his feet a rain of arrows from the quiver/ and spoke to the c...

    Read More

  • Free Essays on Homer's Odyssey: Gaining Power from Others in The Odyssey

    1880 Words  | 4 Pages

    Even though Odysseus was physically strong, at other times he was weak. When the Phaeacians returned Odysseus home, Odysseus not knowing where he was recounted his jewels and gifts. While doing so the Phaeacians were just turned to stone by Poseidon for helping him return home. Odysseus can practically do whatever any god can do but with the help of them. So speaking, Odysseus says to Athena, "And do you stand beside me, inspiring hardy courage, even so as when we tore the shining crown from Troy"(130). When Odysseus was at war with Troy, Athena gave him guidance.

    Read More

  • Odysseus's Qualities in The Odyssey

    754 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of Odysseus's many qualities is determination. He remains determined throughout the entire saga to get back to his family. During Odysseus's Odyssey he encounters many obstacles, beast, god, and nature. Odysseus must get through all of these hardships before he can make it back to his family and home. On his way back Odysseus is next to Charybdis and she swallows his boat. He must holds on to the branches of a fig tree to survive, "But I clung grimly, thinking my mast and keel would come back to the surface when she spouted. And ah! How long, with what desiree, I waited! Till, at the twilight hour...the long poles at last reared from the sea"(12.560-64). Odysseus shows his determination to get home, because it would be easy for him to just let go and drown, but no Odysseus hangs on so he can see his wife again. Once he is at home he finds suitors at his house. Odysseus kills one of them and the others beg for mercy, ??Not for the whole treasure of your fathers, all you enjoy, lands, flocks, or any gold put up by others, would I hold my hand??(22.65-67). Odysseus is determined to get revenge on all of the suitors and he will not be satisfied until they are all dead. Without his strong will and determination Odysseus would not have made it through his trials. Although determination is a must for a journey such as Odysseus?s cunning is also just as essential.

    Read More

  • The Heros - Odysseus, Jason and Aeneas

    1685 Words  | 4 Pages

    Odysseus is unique among epic heroes in that his strength comes not from inhuman powers or exceptional physical ability, but mainly from his mind.  Odysseus, regularly uses cunning, guile, and superiority of intellect to overcome obstacles.  In this paper I will compare Odysseus to other epic heroes, both in terms of character and in terms of responses to crises, comparing his reactions with those of other heroes placed in similar situations.

    Read More

  • Odysseus: A True Hero

    1464 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus earns the title of a true hero by conveying many qualities such as: determination, courage and leadership.

    Read More

  • Odysseus The Hero

    745 Words  | 2 Pages

    Odysseus was also an epic hero because he had human weaknesses. One of his weaknesses was that he was arrogant. Even after he defeated Polyphemos (the Cyclops) Odysseus stayed longer just so he could taunt him. He “…wanted to shout out again…although [his] comrades…tried to coax [him] not to do it'; (p.110). Odysseus, against his crew’s wishes, shouted, “…Cyclops! if ever a man asks you who put out your ugly eye, tell him your blinder was Odysseus!'; (p.110). Another human weakness of Odysseus was that he had a bad temper. When Eurylochos refused to go back to Circe’s mansion, Odysseus “…thought for a moment that [he] would draw [his] sword and cut off his head…';(p.121). If his men did not stop him, Odysseus probably would have killed Eurylochos and therefore lost a good man because of his short temper. Lust was another weakness of his. For Seven years Odysseus and Circe were lovers. Because he stayed with Circe, Odysseus prolonged his return home to Ithaca. Odysseus had many human weaknesses.

    Read More

  • Odysseus: Epic Hero?

    671 Words  | 2 Pages

    The question has been raised as to whether or not Odysseus, the hero of Homers The Odyssey, is an epic hero. An epic Hero portrays many classic properties, including being very strong and courageous. Odysseus is an epic hero, because he portrays many of these and other traits, such as having a goal that is foremost in his mind, and having descended into the underworld.

    Read More

  • Odysseus The Hero

    1489 Words  | 3 Pages

    Odysseus is a hero because he acts courageously while facing the many challenges he encounters. Odysseus’s shows great bravery when he engages in physical challenges. Odysseus daringly fights against the suitors, while significantly outnumbered: “For I must tell you this is no affair / of ten or even twice ten men, but scores, throngs of them” (XVI, 291 – 293). Even though Odysseus is facing hundreds of men, his bravery keeps him confident that he can win the battle. Odysseus must use his physical strength when Poseidon punishes him with turbulent waves: “Odysseus’s knees grew slack, his heart / sickened, and he said within himself / Rag of man that I am, is this the end of me?” (V, 307 – 309). Odysseus is exhausted from the torrential sea, yet refuses to give up because of enormous courage and his unwillingness to surrender. Odysseus must also cope with emotional challenges throughout his journey. His emotions are tested when he ventures to the underworld, Hades, and must confront his greatest fear, death: “From every side they came and sought the pit / with rustling cries; and I grew sick with fear. / But presently I gave command to my officers” (XI, 45 -47). Although Odysseus is deeply fearful when he comes face to face with the dead, his mental f...

    Read More

  • Greatness In The Odyssey

    1349 Words  | 3 Pages

    As you might know, many of the characters in Homer’s tale of The Odyssey are known for their physical strength as their main tool used to strive for success. On the other hand, there is Odysseus, who uses something a little different to help him make his way home. His impressive oratory skills help him to escape some sticky situations. His spectacular ability to disguise himself within a crowd gives him advantages that others do not have. Each plan that he effortlessly conceives to find his way home was outstanding and shows his abundance of intelligence. Although many men use their physical strength as their main power to succeed in their travels in The Odyssey, Odysseus’s brains are his strongest

    Read More

  • Odysseus

    1326 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...story, because, if not for his mind, he would be dead and never to return home to Ithaca. Odysseus uses his mind to overcome the lack of strength by tying himself down to the mast as passing by the Sirens. He then uses cunning over the great strength of others by devising a plan to escape out of the Cyclops’ cave alive. Once Odysseus is finally home, he is able to use cunning over strength to kill all of the Suitors in his home so he and his family will be able to return to the happiness they had before he left for war.

    Read More

  • Odysseus: an Epic Hero

    827 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, Odysseus’ intelligence, loyalty, and strength are all key aspects which make Odysseus an epic hero. Besides having those characteristics, he has passed impossible tasks and could be compared to many American superheroes such as Batman. Both have relatively the same characteristics: strength, loyalty, intelligence, courage, and pride, but what makes them an epic hero is not entirely what they have been through. It is actually their ability to portray what their civilization finds most heroic in a person that makes them an epic hero.

    Read More

  • Odysseus: Not A Hero

    1109 Words  | 3 Pages

    The main character of the Odyssey, Odysseus the King of Ithaca is given a complex personality to an extent where it is hard to identify whether he is a true hero or not. True heroism is only achieved when a person achieves certain qualities that portray heroism. Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle because of his actions of sacrificing his men, killing the suitors and being ruthless throughout the Odyssey. Along with many others qualities these three are helpful and necessary in a hero. A hero must be willing to do service for others and put the needs of others safety and protection before his own. Odysseus does not even come close to matching these qualities because he is a person, who only serves of himself, and he sacrifices his allies to achieve his goals and often he takes action ruthlessly.

    Read More

  • Odysseus Character Analysis

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...145).” This is a physically demanding thing to do, as he was responsible for turning the large wooden bar in order to drill it into the eye of Polyphemus. Finally, Odysseus’ slaying of all his wife’s suitors display his great strength. Odysseus and Telemachus were able to kill the dozen suitors with the help of the gods. In these instances, Odysseus does actions which most men would find physically difficult, which only proves that strength is one of his heroic characteristics.

    Read More

  • Odysseus Character Development Essay

    1200 Words  | 3 Pages

    The challenges that Homer give the protagonist is all a test of character. Odysseus continues to pass the obstacles with flying colors, but his arrogance is the one flaw that is in dire need of correction. Some of the many challenges Odysseus overcomes on his voyage home is defeating the Cicones, surviving the Island of the Lotus Eaters, outsmarting the Giant Cyclops, saving his men from Circe, Traveling to Hades, passing between Scylla and Charybdis, escaping Calypsos’ Island and many more. Odysseus survives these obstacles and uses his smarts to escape near disaster. Often times he was the only one to survive these things and his crew often lost their lives due to their own stupidity. “‘We left the island and resumed our journey in a state of gloom; and the heart was taken out of my men by the wearisome rowing. But was our own stupidity that had deprived us of the wind.’”(P127 L75-79) Odysseus shows how he is an extraordinary man by being much smarter than his crew and the men that follow him. As a part of this stripping of Odysseus, Homer shows that Odysseus is a collective symbol of Everyman. On the one hand Odysseus is a great warrior, who is extremely intelligent, noble, and a great man. Although he has many god- like qualities he is still human. He shows that he is human and like every man, because of the fact that he still has major flaws. The

    Read More

More about Brains vs. Bronze

Open Document