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Conceitedness In The Odyssey

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“A hero does good for good, not for glory” (Unknown). This quote summarizes exactly what a hero is supposed to do. A true hero is selfless and caring, not prideful and unloyal. A hero does what he/she thinks is best and plans accordingly. In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, the character Odysseus has just won the ten-year long Trojan War with the help of many loyal Greek soldiers. Odysseus is the king of Ithaca and is trying desperately to get home to his country and family. Along the way, Odysseus and his men are faced with many struggles, most of which are extremely dangerous, but never lose their hope for home. Although he may seem great, Odysseus is conceited, extremely unfaithful, and lacks in leadership. Odysseus may be strong and brave, but he is not what a true hero is. From the start of the story, Odysseus recurrently illustrates an attitude of conceitedness through his self centered actions. Being conceited means that you have or show too much pride in whatever you do or say. After winning the Trojan War, Odysseus and his men are faced with the challenge of getting home. This should be an easy task, but with Odysseus, it …show more content…

Through being conceited, unfaithful to his wife, and lacking in leadership, Odysseus has shown readers that he does not have what it takes to be a true hero. Odysseus is not a good role model for anyone, so he teaches readers many lessons on what not to be like. Readers can learn that not everything is about them, they have to understand that to be a true hero, everyone else comes before them. They can also learn that leaders have to be strong and selfless, not strong and arrogant. Arrogance will never get anyone anywhere, it only makes people lose trust and lose respect. Finally, it is important to realize that not everybody understands what is needed to be a true hero to people. What would our world be like if everyone knew what it took to be a true

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