Examples Of Odysseus Being An Epic Hero

Odysseus is an epic hero in The Odyssey and goes through many trials throughout his adventure. The hero faces many monsters, creatures, and mythological beings on his journey back to Ithaca. Brave Odysseus shows many traits of being a normal man on a mission, but also shows traits of an epic hero. He shows more traits of being an epic hero, simply because of his quick ideas and courage shown throughout the terrifying journey. An example of Odysseus being an epic hero is his loyalty and leadership skills. When Odysseus first gets on the island of cyclops, he only brings his best twelve men on the island with him, “I took my twelve best fighters and went ahead” (Homer 136). Instead of bringing all of his men on the island with him, Odysseus

Before Odysseus could get to the prophet, he saw an old friend, Elpenor, and learned, “I slept on Circe’s roof, then could not see the long steep backward…” (Homer 590). There was a Greek custom that if someone did not get buried after death, their soul would be restless for the rest of their undead life. Odysseus promised to bury his friend, so that his soul could rest, and this shows how loyal Odysseus was. The hero took time out of his journey just to bury his deceased friend. With new knowledge from the prophet, Odysseus went on his way to bury his Elpenor, and encountered Circe. Out of love for the man, she told him the dangers that were coming and how to avoid them. To avoid the sirens from luring him and his men in, Odysseus came up with a plan, “Therefore you are to tie me up, tight as a splint, erect along the mast…” (Homer 394). So that the other men would not get enchanted, Odysseus put beeswax in the men’s ears except his own. Selfless Odysseus put himself in harm's way just so that the crew could get back safely, which is another trait of an epic

Odysseus had fell asleep, and could not warn his men to fight their hunger. As soon as Odysseus got home from his journey, the goddess Athena, told him that suitors were trying to marry his wife and take the throne. So, Athena disguises Odysseus as a beggar so that he can get into his home. Only a few people knew of Odysseus’ presence one of which being his own son,“Then, throwing his arms around this marvel of a father Telemachus began to weep...” (Homer 1059). After the reunion, the two began to make up plans to get the suitors out of their home. Once the plan was made they put it into action, killing all of the suitors, with only the help of two to five men. Being the clever woman she was, Penelope made a test for Odysseus with the bed in their room. She knew he made the bed, and if it was really him would know about the sign on there. So she ended up asking the servant to, “Place it outside the bedchamber my lord built with his own hands…” (Homer 1567). Knowing that the bed could not be placed outside the chamber, Odysseus got angry and explained to her that it could not be moved and even showed her the sign he carved into it. After Odysseus showed her the sign, she really knew that it was him and claimed Odysseus as her