ipl-logo

Characteristics Of Odysseus As An Epic Hero

921 Words4 Pages

Many characteristics can be applied to Odysseus in the book the (Odyssey, Homer), but a few really stand out. In fact, Odysseus can be considered an epic hero in the Odyssey, as evidenced by his actions, his faults, and his loyalty. An epic hero is brave, adventurous, a leader, and loyal. Most epic hero’s have faults as well. These characteristics closely follow Odysseus’s own.

Odysseus is an epic hero because of his brave and strategic actions. Odysseus left his home to go and fight in the Trojan war. Odysseus was the soldier who came up with the idea of creating the Trojan horse and using it as a disguise in order to infiltrate the city. This is what ultimately defeated the Trojan army. Odysseus’s actions had a great effect on the world at that time, making his actions heroic. Epic heroes can be …show more content…

Odysseus created an escape plan when he and his men got trapped inside the cave of a deadly Cyclops who had already eaten two of his men. Odysseus kept his cool and devised a plan to hide under the sheep of the Cyclops who were let out of the cave every morning.These actions had an effect on his men, filling them with respect. These are the kinds of actions that make Odysseus an epic hero.

The faults of a person may also contribute to them becoming an epic hero. Odysseus’s large ego is one of his faults. Odysseus traveled to a cave, home to a Cyclops. In the cave, he blinded the Cyclops by stabbing him in his eye. The Cyclops opened the way for Odysseus and his crew to leave. This was when Odysseus encountered some trouble and his arrogance shone through. After he left the cave, the Cyclops was screaming in pain. The cyclops would have never really known who had robbed him of his sight until Odysseus shouted at him saying, “ Cyclops, if ever

Open Document