The epic heroes of classical mythology are larger-than-life figures meant to inspire awe among those who read their tales. They are stronger, braver, and more intelligent than the average person, and often have superhuman abilities. At various times, the hero at the center of Homer’s Odyssey shows these qualities well. Odysseus is a prime example of a true epic hero for his incredible strength and intelligence.
Among other great heroes, Odysseus stands alone for his intellect. It is his greatest skill, which he notes, describing himself “formidable for guile in peace and war” (Homer 599), an accurate depiction. His greatest use of this skill was in the cave of the Cyclops, where Odysseus convinced the one-eyed monster that his “name is Nohbdy” (Homer 608), so upon being stabbed in the eye, the Cyclops could only shout that he was being killed by nobody. Odysseus was able to predict how the Cyclops would react, so he formulated a careful plan to stab his eye and didn’t reveal his name, instead using a
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During Odysseus’ twenty year-long absence, a group of men moved into his estate to court his wife, eat his food, and trash his property. When Odysseus arrives home, he finds the suitors challenging each other to string Odysseus’ heavy old bow, yet “all fail to even bend” it (Homer 645). Odysseus takes it and “in one motion [strings] the bow” (Homer 645), a feat no other could accomplish. Later, with that same bow, Odysseus takes his revenge on the suitors, with “every shot [bringing] down one of his huddling enemies” (Homer 650). This strength shown is extraordinary. Beside stringing a rigid, old bow, no normal man could kill a person with only one arrow shot, and especially not several in the same way. When the hectic battlefield is cleared, Odysseus stands unharmed, another testament to his fortitude. Strength is a key aspect of classic heroes and a field in which Odysseus