The Concepts of Heroism in The Odyssey

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The concept of heroism has been a topic of hot debate since the beginning of time itself. The disparities between the Greek concept of heroism and the modern concept of heroism are huge. In this century, a hero is the one in shining armor, willing to lay down his life for the safety of others. However, it will be preposterous to dismiss this definition, although it does not exactly exemplify the Greek concept of heroism. It is, in fact, one of the qualities of a hero as shown in not only The Odyssey, but also in The Iliad. In these two poems by Homer, the heroes eventually die, but their deeds precede them.
According to The Odyssey by Homer, a hero must be cunning and intelligent. Odysseus proved, times without number, just how cunning he is. Zeus once referred to him as being “the wisest man alive”(4). He is widely famous for his cunning as he is referred to as “the master of stratagems.” However, Odysseus` cunning got him out of trouble as much as it got him into it. His cunning was most importantly used in the battle of Troy, where he invents the strategy of the wooden horse that ultimately helps the Greeks win the war. Also, when Odysseus and his crew are trapped in Polyphemus` cave, he uses his intelligence and cunning to get himself and his crew out of the cave even though some of his crew members are eaten, it was still successful strategy. The problem with this his brain's ability is that it also gets him in trouble. Before he got trapped in the Cyclops` cave, he is warned by his crew, but instead he wanted to be treated like a guest by the Cyclops. This singular action gets his men in trouble as some of them end up getting eaten by the savage Cyclops, Polyphemus. Odysseus` idea to disguise himself as a beggar was extre...

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...rtain obstacles. Firstly, Penelope delayed her marriage to the suitors by cunningly devising the plan of weaving the shroud by day and unravelling it by night. Secondly, she stays loyal to her husband even when she has no idea of his well being. Telemachus performs his own acts of heroism through courage, cleverness, eloquence and acceptance of assistance from the goddess Athene. He performs the life-threatening journey of going in search for his father with the help of Athene.
Homer`s portrayal of heroism shows the importance of cunning, bravery, strength, loyalty and courage. These qualities are portrayed countless times by Odysseus. More so, Penelope and Telemachus are also symbols of heroism in The Odyssey. While Penelope shows a great deal of cunning in handling the 108 suitors, Telemachus shows a tremendous level of courage as he travelled to Pylos and Sparta.

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