ipl-logo

Examples Of Heroism In The Odyssey

614 Words3 Pages

Melanie Janania
Ms. Petrosino
English 9 CPA
12 January 2023

Has an action ever been done with such determination the action was considered a heroic act? Has a character been brave enough to save people by successfully acting on a heroic act? Heroism can be demonstrated with both “Courage,” a poem produced by Anna Sexton, and “The Odyssey,” a tale told by Homer. “Courage” can be described as being inclusive and considering actions everyone embarked. “The Odyssey” is a tale of an epic hero who faces challenges when faced with eagerness to arrive home. In “Courage” and “The Odyssey,” both authors develop the use of similes, imagery and metaphors to portray heroism and introduce the value of characteristics in heroism. Within “Courage” the use …show more content…

Homer narrated, “And its roots crackled in the fire and hissed / like an axe-head or adze a smith dips into water / When he wants to temper the iron— that’s how his eye/Sizzled and hissed around the olivewood stake./He screamed, and the rock walls rang with his voice” (Homer, 341-345 lines). The quote shows the factor of imagery by describing the setting of what was happening and allowed the reader to picture what was going on. Imagery shows traits of heroism by telling the actions of what Odysseus did to save his crewmates. Precisely requiring bravery and strength which are characteristics of an epic hero. Traits of heroism are portrayed from the use of imagery in the short story “The …show more content…

Anne began by stating, “The child’s first step, as awesome as an earthquake. The first time you rode a bike, wallowing up the sidewalk” (Anne, lines 2-5). The stanza is from the point of view of a toddler. A child’s first steps are significant and life-changing. The reasoning depicts development because of an impactful moment in a parent’s life. Which also shows traits of heroism because development and growth plays a huge role in the field. Odysseus began, “Therefore, you are to tie me up, tight as a splint” (Homer, line 695). This shows how determined Odysseus is. His knowledge had grown and developed from the adventures he has been through. Traits of heroism are portrayed through the use of similes within “Courage” and “The

Show More
Related

Examples Of Epic Similes In The Odyssey

521 Words | 3 Pages

The Odyssey by Homer is an epic tale about the Greek hero Odysseus and his adventures back home to Ithaca. With the assumption that he had died, Odysseus’ wife Penelope and son Telemachus face off a group of suitors looking to court Penelope. A major theme found in The Odyssey is the notion of revenge. Additionally, a recurrent literary device—the epic simile—appears throughout the story, wherein comparisons are made in the form of similes, except on a grander scale. Homer utilizes a couple of epic similes in Book XXII to fully substantiate the formidability of Odysseus’ thirst for revenge against the suitors and his traitorous servants through the use of violent imagery.

Read More

Essay On Odysseus Being A Hero

1230 Words | 5 Pages

In this story, however, the main character cannot be justified as the hero; he can only aspire to be one. Throughout the epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer vividly illustrates how often times, a person who has gained a certain title will struggle under the pressure of maintaining the continuous justification of the role. This is seen through Odysseus’ endeavor to maintain the responsibilities of a hero along his journey as well as managing the role that come with being a hero. Although Odysseus ventures to become the responsible, classic hero, he acts irrationally whenever he encounters an obstacle as seen through his confrontation with Scylla and Charybdis, proving his intentions of a hero but the lack of ability to execute his heroic actions to the fullest.

Read More

Greek Values In Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

811 Words | 4 Pages

In the Odyssey by Homer, one heroic trait that Odysseus shows his preeminence which articulates the Greek cultural value of leading your men to victory. For example, the theme is made apparent when Odysseus visualizes “Bow to stem, trying to put heart into them, standing over every oarsmen, gently” (782, book 12). This shows that Odysseus knows his men can overcome the fear of dying and can save themselves. This is important because Odysseus’ trait is guidance and he strongly portrays that.

Read More

King Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey

158 Words | 1 Pages

Epic poetry, known for its grand descriptions of glorious accomplishments, revolves around an honorable protagonist. As the hero faces adversity in his journey, he triumphs in fleeting moments of bravery. He often exhibits his physical strength to overcome his hardships, manifesting a story with a violent nature. In Homer’s The Odyssey, King Odysseus of Ithaca struggles to return to his loving wife and son after having fought in the Trojan War.

Read More

Examples Of Archetype In The Odyssey

488 Words | 2 Pages

Odysseus displays multiple examples of an archetype in Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. His archetype helps develops the theme that bravery is an essential trait in people, by providing examples of the great skills of a warrior and the superhuman courage to face his enemies and return home. The first example of great skills as a warrior is when Odysseus and his men must attack a mythical foe, the Cyclops, to escape from the cave. They are in grave danger because the Cyclops has already eaten a few of Odysseus’s crewmates. So, they “[use a] pike of olive…sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and [Odysseus] leaned on it turning it…” so they could blind the Cyclops to escape (Homer 380).

Read More

How Is Odysseus A Good Leader

1541 Words | 7 Pages

Odysseus as a hero represents intelligence of the protagonist’s in the stories, who have to overcome the external and internal conflicts they

Read More

Odysseus As A Hero In The Odyssey By Homer

592 Words | 3 Pages

A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. However, a hero is not just found in modern society or movies, but they are also found in mythology. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus earned the title of a true hero by conveying many heroic qualities such as, determination, courage, and leadership. The Odyssey by Homer is about Odysseus and his 10 year journey returning back home to Ithaca after the Trojan war. On his way home he had many tough and encounters for example some were the cyclops, the Lotus-eaters, the sirens,

Read More

Examples Of Odysseus Being An Epic Hero

155 Words | 1 Pages

The Epic Hero Odysseus In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus shows determination and curiosity which demonstrates that he is an epic hero. Odysseus shows that he is determined to get home when he says, “ I grew sick with fear but presently I gave command to my officers” (Homer 388). He shows that he is determined to get home when he could leave The Land Of The Dead but he needs to talk to Tiresias. Accomplishing this task makes Odysseus heroic because he will do what it took for his men and himself to get home.

Read More

Examples Of Bravery In The Odyssey

683 Words | 3 Pages

The first epic hero characteristic that Odysseus shows is his bravery. The first way he shows bravery is when he tells his men about the prophecy of their journey home and how he has to listen to the siren’s song alone for them to be safe. " she urged that I alone should listen to their song therefore you must tie me up. " 783.

Read More

The Heroic Qualities Of Odysseus In The Odyssey By Homer

849 Words | 4 Pages

In “The Odyssey'' by Homer, an epic poem, the main character Odysseus travels with his men trying to return home. But, they run into many inconveniences. Throughout this journey, Odysseus shows bravery, loyalty, and intelligence. Which causes him to be considered an epic hero. One of Odysseus’s many heroic qualities is bravery.

Read More

The Things They Carried: Poem Analysis

568 Words | 3 Pages

Odysseus from The Odyssey is heroic because when he and his men passed through the Sirens he made his men plug their ears and he endured the pain. Homer is talking to the reader when he says ‘“Come this way,

Read More

Is Odysseus A Hero

500 Words | 2 Pages

In the epic story the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is returning from the Trojan war, and on his way home he finds many obstacles ahead of him. Odysseus is the ruler of Ithaca and he is trying to return home to his land. Many creatures try and stop him from achieving his goal of returning home, but he and his crew have to push through and get home. Odysseus portrays bravery and courage leading his crew through these tough challenges. Odysseus heroically leads his crew and himself through dangerous obstacles, but also foolishly endangers them during the journey home.

Read More

Examples Of Heroism In The Odyssey

733 Words | 3 Pages

This article explores how Odysseus' intelligence and courage help him in times when they are most needed. Odysseus' bravery can be shown to the reader as he faces many different challenges and obstacles on the way

Read More

Prometheus And The Gift To Man Analysis

425 Words | 2 Pages

Jason, tasked with the duty of stealing the golden fleece in order to take back his rightful throne, not only has to defeat the fire breathing bronze-hoofed bulls and the army of men who guard it, but also must face the dangers (Talus, harpies, sirens, etc) of simply getting to the island of Colchis where the fleece is kept. Even though the whole quest itself was a near impossible task and death or injury was certain, Jason and his crew still go out on a limb and gather up the courage to face peril, and persevere through all the hardships they encounter. Yet another example of a hero with courage in Greek

Read More

More about Examples Of Heroism In The Odyssey

Related Topics

Open Document