Is Odysseus A Hero

According to Dictionary.com a hero is defined as “(in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.” In the Odyssey the titular character Odysseus fits this definition exactly. Odysseus is a spectacular hero who goes through 20 years of challenges to return home and then defends his honor by slaying over one hundred suitors who have infested his halls, slept with his maids, engorged themselves on his food, and courted his lovely wife. He was the deciding factor in the conquering of Troy. Stories of his strength have been passed on for generations through the Odyssey. Odysseus is the perfect example of the Homeric hero. Many of my peers have argued that Odysseus is not truly a hero.

35). It was also his fault that many of his men died when they reached the island of the Cicones on their voyage. If Odysseus had not decided that it was a good idea to ransack the first village they came to, then many of his men would not have been killed. It was his own greed that allowed the blood of his crew to be spilt. If Odysseus had been morally just then he would not have taken from these people to begin with. He then chose to enter the Cyclops cave without asking for permission and ate much of what the Cyclops had stored inside. He had no consideration for anyone but himself in this instance. He expected a guest-gift without adhering to the rules of hospitality, because he considered himself above those rules. Even after escaping death at the hands of the Cyclops, Odysseus can’t contain himself from boasting even though his crew desperately calls for him to leave. He gives away his true name and brings a curse down upon his head, “let him come home late… all shipmates lost, alone in a stranger’s ship” (9. 592-93). Thus, he ended any chance of return for his comrades. Odysseus then sent his men out

In his day Odysseus was the epitome of a hero. He was a strong-warrior chieftain who went off to fight in the foreign land of Troy. His abilities and wisdom allowed him to conquer an entire city. He had the courage to place himself in the hands of the enemy as he silently waited to destroy them from inside the wooden horse that could have become his coffin. His courage persisted as he began his journey home. His first act was to ransack a village proving his might in battle. His courage and fighting skill led the men to victory. It was only when the “mutinous fools” wouldn’t listen to their captain after he said it was time to leave that he and his men were overrun due to an exceptional amount of soldiers in the opposing force (9. 51). He then continued on his journey and entered the lair of a monster without the slightest hesitation, a spectacular display of courage. It is his abilities of wit and guile that allows his men to escape alongside an excellent show of strength as he impales the eye of the Cyclops and then sneaks out of the cave on the bellies of the Cyclops’ own goats. He even calls out his name, growing his reputation as he sails away from the island of the monster. He perseveres through the rest of his journey with superhuman