“A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” (Bob Dylan). A modern hero is recognized by the goodness in their heart. Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer’s “The Odyssey”, is not a good example of a modern hero. Heroes cannot be cross cultural, and Odysseus’ heroics do not transcend time and apply to the modern world. A good example of a modern hero would be the First Lady, Michelle Obama. With Michelle’s humanitarian work and benevolent attitude, she helps those in need while trying to better society. Being arrogant is one of Odysseus’s main flaws. It’s an attribute that does not make him a modern hero. Odysseus shows his arrogance when he bests Polyphemus by saying, "Cyclops, if any mortal man ever asks you who it was that inflicted upon your eye this shameful blinding, tell him that you were blinded by Odysseus, sacker of cities. Laertes is his father, and he makes his home on Ithaka" (Homer 161). Odysseus gave his name and homeland to the Cyclops. Now, the Cyclops can seek revenge on not just …show more content…
However, some people may argue that Odysseus is a hero, due to his bravery and intelligence. An example of this is when Odysseus wins the battle of Troy. He faced death and overcame it, therefore becoming a war hero. For many people today, being a war hero is very honorable. However, Odysseus’s actions were careless and he shed blood for fun. Therefore while some may think Odysseus is a modern hero, it is pertinent to recognize Odysseus’s flaws that don’t make him a modern hero. Although Odysseus was seen as a hero in ancient times, heroes are not cross cultural. His heroics do not transcend time and aren’t applicable to today's society. With his flaws, Odysseus should not be thought of as a modern hero when compared to Michelle Obama because of the different impacts they made and make on their
The Odyssey, a Greek epic written by Homer has many characters that could be considered heroes, but none as greatly debated on whether he should be called a hero as Odysseus. Odysseus is a hero due to the fact that he wants to protect the ones he loves, shows courage through his actions and words, and as a leader is able to inspire others to have courage. Odysseus’s family
Everyone has their favorite super hero, whether it be Superman, Batman, or even Ironman. These heros helped anyone they saw in need, even if it put themselves in danger. People describe them as brave, daring, and trustworthy. This is not how I would describe Odysseus from the book The Odyssey by Homer, everyone always thought of Odysseus as the “hero” of the story, but he was quite the opposite. He does not deserve the credit for his getting home from the war at all.
Most people look up to Superman or Batman as superheros but do they qualify as modern day heros? According to Mike Dilbeck in the article “What Really Is a Hero, Anyway?” A hero is someone who voluntarily engages in activity to benefit others without looking for recognition. While on the other hand, the super heroes people look up to are the opposite of what a real hero is. A superhero is just a person with superhuman powers who uses them to fight off negative people.
In the epic The Odyssey, the epic hero Odysseus shows many hero like traits, in my opinion the most important trait would be loyalty. Odysseus, the hero of The Odyssey, first shows the trait loyalty on the Land of the Lotus Eaters. Odysseus sends three of his best men to check out this island, but bad luck has them and they run into Lotus Eaters who are addicted to the Lotus Plant. The next they know is the three men become addicted also.
Odysseus is the definition of a hero. It is clear that Odysseus is a hero because he is able to return back to Ithaca and restore his kingdom. In conclusion, it is fair to say that Odysseus is by far, a hero. From the time he climbed up a mountain, an act of bravery, risking his own life to save his men from Circe, to the time that he was very clever and used the wooden horse to get inside the Trojans walls.
The first reasons why Odysseus is a hero is because he risks his life for crew multiple times throughout the story. In the story, ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer, Odysseus and his crew sail to Aeaea, home
The concept of hero has been interpreted in many ways throughout the ages. Hero have gone from knights slaying dragons and rescuing the princess, to heroes who save the world with their supernatural-like powers, to a modern day hero who is someone who has noble qualities and is regarded as a role model. In the epic, The Odyssey, by Robert Fagles, the heroic Odysseus is a well known in Greek mythology. However, although Odysseus is the most respected, honorable hero of Greek mythology he is not a modern hero. A modern day hero is someone who puts their life on the line to save the lives of other innocent people.
Odysseus is a typical example of a hero. He is able to pull off miraculous things to save himself and his crew seemingly without fail. The story of his journey is well known, and a great tale of his adventures. In the two parts we have read so far, we see what he is willing to do for his crew, and his intelligence and quick thinking in difficult situations. The first challenge that waits them is the island of Cyclopes.
Odysseus is considered a hero because of his bravery. An example is when he tricked the Cyclops by telling him his name was nobody and then hiding his men as sheep so that Polyphemus would let them out of his cave. Another example is how he kept his men together by earning their loyalty even when Scylla and circe tried to hurt them. Lasty he is brave when he tricks the suitors by stringing his bow. He has given himself the weapon to defeat the suitors and taken them by surprise.
Odysseus is not a hero because he stabs Polyphemus in the eye and blinds him. Odysseus is still a hero because he is a leader. Moreover, after Odysseus and his men fight the Cicones, he orders ¨Back and Quickly! Out to sea again!” (Homer 984).
What Odysseus did in one situation should not depend on whether he is a hero, but rather should be based on what the outcome
The reader can already see Odysseus being considered a hero in his culture when Telemachus tells his different hosts who his father is and the hosts reply with great pride and admiration for Odysseus. Similarly, Menelaus displays Odysseus’ heroism when he tells Telemachus the tale of how Odysseus helped the Achaeans win the battle of Troy. Throughout these stories of Odysseus’ accomplishments, the listener can identify how strong Odysseus would have to be to fulfill these achievements. Thus, for being strong, winning a battle, and providing epic stories of his triumphs, Odysseus has proven himself to be a hero within his culture. Another element in this culture that correlates someone with being a hero is their connection with the gods.
Odysseus defies the suitors and wins his wife and kingdom back. Despite Odysseus' overconfident nature, Odysseus proves he is a hero by showing bravery and intelligence. When it comes to being a hero, being brave is one of the most
Odysseus is an archetype hero. All of these are examples of when Odysseus was a hero and saved his men. All throughout the story of The Odyssey, people have dissed Odysseus for some of his decisions that he made. In the end, he still gets back to his wife and son in Ithaca. "A cruel turn, this.
Heroes are, “People who take risks despite fear”(Source 2). In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus faces many challenges that make him a hero. He battles monsters, goddesses, and enchantresses. Odysseus is a hero in the way that he uses his brain to think about and approach dilemmas. When he and his men are on the Cyclops’ island, Odysseus tells the cyclops that his name was Nobody.