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Examples Of Odysseus An Archetypal Hero

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Is Odysseus an Archetypal Hero?
Greek literature has given birth to highly polished and complex long epics that revolved around heroes. In the epic poem, “The Odyssey,” Homer vivified the story of Odysseus, who used his immortal intelligence and bravery to endeavor unattainable obstacles that hindered him from reuniting with his family. Although Odysseus’ return home sacrificed many, but in the ancient Greeks, people celebrated him for his intelligence. However, as time shifts, heroism seems to enhance not only the heroes’ own glory, but the significance they leave for the world. The universally-renowned modern fictional hero, Harry Potter, displays many traits in common with Odysseus, yet the distinction of their legacy proves that Odysseus …show more content…

In the epic poem, Odysseus’ voluntary stay in the cave of Polyphemus to fulfill Odysseus’ own pride resulted serious payoffs in which Homer described, “In one stride he[Polyphemus] clutched at my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out” (Homer 989.233-235). This illustrated that Odysseus didn’t serve as someone that saves his crew, but rather putting them in trouble and sacrificing them to merely fulfill his own pleasure. On the other hand, Harry Potter is a boy who hides impressive strength and knowledge under a humble exterior that desires to save the world. Mrs. Ryan emphasized in her article that “ Harry completes dangerous tasks to stop Lord Voldemort from reaching the Sorcerer’s Stone...His influence is so strong that people continued to fight and die for him even after they thought he was dead” (Ryan). This quote demonstrates Harry’s significance for the world by highlighting how other people are willing to die for him. From other people’s appreciation of Harry Potter, one can acknowledge Harry’s selflessness and his desire to live a life that’s bigger than his own. Thus, by analyzing the effect of both characters for the world, Harry Potter strongly contrasted with Odysseus, who carelessly sacrifice

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Homer was an ancient Greek writer best known for his book of epic poems The Odyssey. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is the protagonist who is meant to be the hero throughout the story; however, he does not display heroic qualities through his impulsive decisions, he is full of hubris, and displays terrible leadership. Throughout the whole journey, Odysseus makes impulsive decisions by never sticking to one plan. In the beginning, Odysseus and his men are stuck in a cyclops cave.

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The Devil in The White City is a nonfiction book, that takes place in the years before, during and after the Chicago’s World Fair in 1893. Erik Larson is famous for writing historical nonfiction; he spends weeks, maybe even months researching the interesting historical events, and writing them for the public to understand in a better context. The two main characters in this interesting historical non-fiction book are; the protagonist, Daniel Hudson Burnham; who is an architect and has built many important structures such as Union Station in Washington D.C. and the Flatiron Building in New York. The antagonist, H.H. Holmes; a doctor that is famous for being one of the most notorious serial killers of all times, especially the urban killings.

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593 Words | 3 Pages

Odysseus puts himself and his crew in grave danger while losing control over his narcissistic personality. Though a hero can spread his or her name through his actions, the mindset of a hero is to put oneself in harm’s way, not to put others in harm in order to spread oneself’s ego.

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339 Words | 2 Pages

In the Odyssey, Odysseus displays a trait of being an epic hero by portraying how ethical he is. When he arrives at the palace of Alcinous in the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus sees the queen and… “he throws himself at her feet” (summary book 7). In this moment he shows great respect and is very conscientious of the queen. Many people during this time would most likely not throw themselves at the queen’s feet, but he did because of his respect for her. Odysseus shows his great amount of ethical abilities in his personality through this action.

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463 Words | 2 Pages

it shows how his Larger than Life quality is his intelligence which makes him the hero he is, so the Larger than Life quality is a big role in a hero and this quote shows his larger than life quality. “Nohbdy, nohbdy's tricked me, nohbdy's ruined me”. This shows such Larger than Life quality because when he says this he's telling his friends so they will help him but that was Odysseus's plan. Cyclops does not get help because his friends think he is joking. This essay is showing Odysseus's Larger than Life quality and how it makes him a hero and this is just two examples so far out of

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375 Words | 2 Pages

Who is a hero? A hero takes many forms, such as an allegorical hero, a tragic hero, or an epic hero. In the age of postmodernism, there are instances where a person can be both a hero and a villain. Odysseus is difficult to identify as a hero because of his many vices.

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320 Words | 2 Pages

The description of a hero can be different among many people. Some may say a hero has to be courageous, smart, and strong, but they don’t talk about the flaws a hero may possess. Odysseus portrays very obvious flaws in the epic The Odyssey. When I look more into Odysseus’ flaws as a character, I do not see Odysseus as admirable. When reading The Odyssey, the many obstacles that Odysseus faces and defeats shows him to be courageous and clever.

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446 Words | 2 Pages

Odysseus is a hero Odysseus is a hero because all he wants to do is go home and protect his family. There is many thing that can support this claim. There are many things that can prove otherwise. One reason for this claim is odysseus is smart, brave, and kind and another reason is he wants to go home and protect his family.

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808 Words | 4 Pages

Odysseus as a Hero In Homer’s timeless epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus of Ithaca is a true hero. A hero is someone who is loyal to their country, loyal to their family and loyal to their god(s). Odysseus has proven himself a true hero as in the book and the movie, The Odyssey. The Odyssey is an excellent book to read to find out about loyalty and hero’s.

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479 Words | 2 Pages

There is a certain criteria that all Greek heroes must fit to truly be considered a hero. There are multiple heroes in Greek mythology, some heroic, some strong, and some extremely intelligent. Odysseus was a very knowledgeable hero, known for his skill in escaping the wrath of Poseidon with his many strategies. Odysseus may not have died a histrionic death, but he had a fatal flaw, suffered physically as well as mentally, was of royal birth, accomplished major feats, and fought for himself. He had many adventures like many other Greek heroes and slaughtered horrifying monsters to return home to his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus.

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688 Words | 3 Pages

this quote proves that he has godly confidence by taking down the big Cyclops to save his army. This is why I think that in the epic poem The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus is an epic

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1338 Words | 6 Pages

In addition to that, Odysseus is less merciful to others who have wronged him while Harry Potter, though he has suffered much, shows great mercy. Odysseus as soon as he comes home tells his son, “ I came to this wild place, directed by Athena, so that we might lay plans to kill our enemies” ( Homer 1080-1082). Odysseus had such vengeance on his mind that he would start planning as soon as he had come home, yet it seemed that he would spare not one of them, no matter how great or little their involvement. Harry Potter, on the other hand, could have hunted down the rest of Voldemort’s followers, but he left them alone to look for forgiveness and what is right. Finally, Odysseus was a great fighter known for his bow and arrow skills while Harry Potter was just a wizard.

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1042 Words | 5 Pages

This character is brought to light using several incidents and events that help to analyze and interpret the ancient Greek world and the values surrounding them. Each episode supports and allows for the development of Odysseus’ character and acknowledges the effects of these features. Through these specific incidents, the reader uncovers the quality of Odysseus and how his characteristics relate to those praised by Greeks and those that were criticized. Persistent components of Odysseus’ character include cleverness and pride, while major themes that are reiterated are Greek ideals and the struggle to reach home. Conclusively, definitive occasions in “The Odyssey” establish and expand upon the character of Odysseus and how it impacts himself and

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450 Words | 2 Pages

The odyssey, an epic told by Homer in ancient greece, has many major themes following odysseus’s adventures. While Odysseus is sentenced to never return home after the Trojan War. He is overcoming challenges to return home to his wife penelope and his son Telemachus. Throughout the story major themes of loyalty, hospitality and vengeance are hidden within the plot. The story continues to show his heroic side with three major traits.

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536 Words | 3 Pages

Odysseus an epic hero What makes a person an epic hero? An epic hero is someone who possesses courage, strength, and have a desire to achieve immortality through heroic actions. The only ones that are considered heroes are those who are recognized for saving the day or for doing something heroic to the world. Many is considered heroes for only some are remembered like those who made a great change. For example Odysseus is an epic hero.

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