Odysseus as Epic Hero of Homer's Odyssey
Homer's epic poem The Odyssey is about Odysseus' ten-year journey home from the Trojan War and what Odysseus has to do when he returns. The journey itself is quite a story. Odysseus and his men come in contact with many obstacles that they must overcome and there are more hurdles to jump when Odysseus reaches his destination. Odysseus is an epic hero who, besides showing superhuman characteristics in strength, bravery and cleverness, also proves himself through his emotions, leadership, and the corrections in his faults.
Odysseus' emotions are rare, yet profound enough to enhance the way Odysseus is viewed as an epic hero. The first sign of Odysseus' true emotions occur once Odysseus chooses to take the path past Scylla, a six-headed monster who devours sailors in passing ships, rather than the one through Charybdis, a whirlpool. While Odysseus watches below, Scylla snatches six of his best men, one for each of her heads. Seeing his men being devoured while calling his name is the worst sight Odysseus has ever had to suffer through on all his journeys on the sea (646-662). When Odysseus returns to his home on Ithaca, many more emotions take over him when he comes in contact with people he hasn't seen for twenty years. Odysseus tells Telemachus, his son, what his true identity is and the men weep and embrace to try to make up from the twenty years where this kind of bonding was unavailable (896-906). Also, Odysseus has feelings that he has to hide when he sees Argos, the dog he trained from a puppy, being mistreated and not cared for properly. However, since Odysseus is in disguise he cannot reveal his true emotion and hides his tears away...
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...-1027). This change in Odysseus' character accents his epic hero characteristics even further by Odysseus being able to recognize his problem, then correcting this obstacle in able to complete the needed task.
Odysseus was truly the epic hero in Homer's The Odyssey. Odysseus' emotion and the could control of that emotion, the ability to lead his crew through difficult situations and recognizing and changing his faults were only some of the epic hero characteristics that Odysseus met during this epic poem. The attributes displayed by Odysseus are everyday characteristics of the present. By reading The Odyssey many people may be able to deal with emotional conflicts of today.
Works Consulted:
Bloom, Harold , Homer's Odyssey: Edited and with an Introduction, NY, Chelsea House 1988
Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: 1996
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There are numerous heroes throughout “The Odyssey,” but none of them are as significant as Odysseus. “The Odyssey” is a narrative poem written by Homer (around 800 and 600 BCE) to show the numerous adventures and experiences Odysseus goes through. Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus a prominent Greek epic hero is on a quest to return back to his home in Ithaca; to his wife Penelope, and his son Telemachus. Just like real life, not all heroes are picture-perfect; they all have imperfections. In this case, Odysseus is sometimes insolent, and discourteous; but he is still considered an epic hero because of the many heroic qualities he endures. Odysseus proves himself to be an outstanding hero in various ways such as showing loyalty, intelligence, bravery, strength, and courage which are all some of the most momentous qualities found in a hero. If a true hero can prove they are a true hero, makes them a true hero.
Homer’s Odyssey is a magnificent mythological tale. This work was presumably created after his encounter with goddess Athena. Although Odysseus’ journey is filled with unrealistic adventures and mythical powers, some principles behind this story can relate to our everyday lives. Odysseus’ adventures in Odyssey relate to the heroism, intellect, and ruthlessness that are in our lives.
The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem written by Homer. The epic revolves around the King of Ithaca, Odysseus, who has just finished fighting in the Trojan War and makes his way back home. Odysseus faces many obstacles and struggles throughout his journey. Both Telemachus and Penelope also face multiple obstacles while they wait for the return of Odysseus. Telemachus, Odysseus’s son ventures off to find his beloved father without informing his mother. Penelope, Odysseus’s wife was alone with the suitors who are all dying to marry her. Odysseus displays leadership through his journey similar to Tupac Amura Shakur and shows intelligence like Steve Jobs. Heros are seen as more than just warriors but as someone who society
The Odyssey is an epic poem about a journey. After the Trojan War is won Odysseus leaves Troy for his home in Ithaca. However, the gods decide to test his courage and resolve and send him on a twenty-year odyssey. Odysseus' courage is constantly tested as he struggles with the many obstacles the gods place before him. Although Homer depicted The Odyssey as a self-reliant journey, in reality the gods and other mortals guide Odysseus. It is his loyalty to and his love for his family that keeps him going. The Odyssey depicts Odysseus as he overcomes each obstacle through guidance, fate, and loyalty to his family.
In the Odyssey, Odysseus goes through many hardships on his journey home. Starting with the monsters he defeats, to the gods that slow him down. Odysseus is a true hero, from everything that he has done, or tried to do. I for one think he is a hero, and here is why. He looks out for his men, and saves them countless times. He saved them when they were trapped with the Cyclops and there was no way out because of the big stone in front of the door. But, Odysseus had a clever idea, since they couldn't kill him or they would be trapped. He told that they were going to make a spear and shove it into the Cyclops eye, and that's what they did. Also, when they did not have very much food, Odysseus and a few of his men would go hunt for their food.
Odysseus is one of the very many prominent characters in Homer’s Epic poems, The Illiad, and The Odyssey. Odysseus has been famed one of the more relatable characters from Homer’s writing, as well as one of the Greatest Greek Mythology Heroes. Homer’s Epic poems highlight many periods of shame and honor for Odysseus. The character analysis of Odysseus through the poem’s timeline shows vast developments and heroic features appear to take form in him. The Illiad portrayed Odysseus as more of a secondary figure behind Agamemnon and Achilles. In contrast, The Odyssey portrayed Odysseus as a hero in the form of an average human.
What do homework, chores, and a job all have in common? All of these things, and several more, are responsibilities that civilians encounter in their daily lives. It is arguable to say that most people have at least one responsibility in their lives, and this includes heroes such as Odysseus, son of Laertes. Our responsibilities define the course of life we take, and, for Odysseus, his responsibilities led him through the course of being a hero. Furthermore, throughout the Odyssey, which is Odysseus’s story, Odysseus demonstrates not only amazing feats of bravery and pure heroism, but he also demonstrates his ability to accept and take on his numerous responsibilities. Heroism is not about having responsibilities, but more often than
Odysseus, the protagonist of the Odyssey by Homer fits the outline of an epic hero because he is courageous, quick-witted, and a natural leader. Odysseus isn’t only known for his muscles, also his clever mind. He is one of the great heroes that possesses both brains and brawn. He is also a hero with outstanding skill and bravery. It is no wonder why many teachers refer to Odysseus as a powerful hero. I believe Odysseus is a hero because he is clever, can overcome obstacles, is very brave, a leader but like all great heroes, he has his weaknesses.
In The Odyssey, Homer tells the epic poem of Odysseus’ great journey. After being victorious in the Trojan War, the Greek hero ventures home from Troy to Ithaca. Many events take place that derails his journey home, causing his trip to extend by twenty years. During that span of time, Odysseus faces numerous challenges that make him value important virtues more. Homer compares Odysseus’ journey home to the metaphorical journey through life.
Almost all written works have some sort of hero to lead the way and have the readers side to. In the Odyssey, that very hero is Odysseus, and he has a few important traits to define his character. He is very courageous which helps him lead his men and go into battle. Odysseus is also very cunning because he is able to devise plans when times get tough. Even though many people may disagree, Odysseus’ cunning and courage are his most defining characteristics.
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.
Characteristics that help a hero attain success, but when used in excess, cause the hero to weaken and suffer defeat. Odysseus, a curious and confident hero, is flawed when these virtues become extended in too high a quantity. After Polyphemus is blinded, the king and his crew barely make it out of the cave, but aboard the ship, Odysseus begins to brag -- bringing out his arrogant and overzealous side. Polyphemus almost knocks the boat to shore twice before Odysseus realizes to stop, but he had already been cursed. “Should destiny intend that he shall see his roof again… far be that day and dark the years between. Let him lose all companions, and return under strange sail to bitter days at home” (Pt 1, L 456-462). The reason Odysseus went to Polyphemus was to appease his curiosity, but yet again, his trait became a tragic flaw when he failed to think about his actions. Neglecting to think about the consequences of words and actions became the downfall of Odysseus’ luck with the gods and the fate of his
Picture this: a hero of great legends who travels to the underworld and back to get directions to his home from a blind prophet. It sounds like quite an impossible journey, but that is exactly what makes Odysseus all the more fascinating. The Odyssey, an epic poem orally transmitted by Homer, a Greek poet who wrote The Iliad, had to contain some variety of attributes that Greeks valued in a person. That one embodiment of what the Greeks found intriguing in a character is Odysseus. Odysseus is known as what is called an epic hero. An epic hero is a protagonist of a story that represents the most important attributes of a civilization. Odysseus, being based in ancient Greece, is the embodiment of intelligence, loyalty, and strength.
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