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Examples Of Odysseus Being An Epic Hero

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Analysts debate whether or not Odysseus can be deemed an epic hero within the Odyssey. Arguably, it is presented in the epic poem that he obtains the skills and powers to persevere through trials issued by the Gods. Odysseus endures an escapade filled with challenging tasks and antagonists, and applies his natural heroic attributes to persist on his mission to get back home. With these abilities, he is able to take on all tasks thrown at him while returning to Ithaca after 20 extensive years at sea. Thus, Odysseus possess all the attributes of an epic hero. Initially, an epic hero is depicted as one with great courageousness and strength. Ideally, Odysseus utilizes his courageous nature and great strength to persevere through the Sirens, …show more content…

Although there were some setbacks, Odysseus manifests his ability to persevere through vast setting due to great mental and physical strength. The hero is able to withstand 20 years away from home while at sea and deals with obstacles along the way, having to sacrifice himself and his men. Consequently, his intelligence and power makes it possible to navigate through treacherous conditions and adversaries while at sea and survive. Likewise, he is characterized with a “combination of wisdom and power that enables him to return home after 20 years at sea” (Ford 1). With this depiction of an enlightened and robust hero, Odysseus prospers through his endeavors undoubtedly and …show more content…

Not only does he utilize his mental capabilities, but harnesses his physical strength when in battle. Unlike Odysseus, other warriors are described as either “men of action” or “skilled in counsel” (Ford 1). However, it is the combination of the two that makes Odysseus superior to the rest. Him and his men are also described as merciless, compared to falcons who will show no remorse to “the flocks of birds they pursue and capture” (Homer 960). Evidently, it is the great warrior in Odysseus that assists him in excelling as an epic hero. Throughout his journey, Odysseus gains recognition for these attributes and his remarkable abilities. Correspondingly, the Gods and the people of Ithaca praise Odysseus as he exhibits national heroism. All know that Odysseus is capable of miraculous acts and is able to endure many obstacles and tasks thrown at him. Likewise, Odysseus recognizes these attributes himself, which is his greatest flaw. When expressing his own heroism, Odysseus states that people “hold me formidable for guile in peace and war” (Homer 896). By everyone acknowledging his greatness, it helps Odysseus excel as an epic

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326 Words | 2 Pages

So now you know why think that Odysseus epic hero trait was clever. He made important choices (ex. “I carried was along the line, and laid it thick on their ears, also when he told them nothing, as they could nothing, and when he picked to go through the Scylla way and only take 6 men lives than going through Charybdis and them all dying). The epic hero trait of Odysseus is that he is clever and has exceptional knowledge because of what he has done before he went to Ithaca and while there too he is being

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447 Words | 2 Pages

An epic hero is defined as a person who exemplifies the highest ideals of his culture. Odysseus shows he is a great hero in the epic poem written by Homer, The Odyssey. The epic is about Odysseus’ struggle to return to his homeland after the Trojan War. It took him ten years to get back to Ithaca. He displays bravery in his encounters, cleverness in his ideas, and confidence in his power.

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453 Words | 2 Pages

In the epic poem, “The Odyssey” by Homer, the protagonist, Odysseus, is an epic hero. The definition of an epic hero is a “Larger-than-life figure that undertakes great journeys and performs deeds requiring remarkable strength and cunning. An epic hero is put into situations that test their skills and bravery, along with their character. Also, a hero in an epic is vastly portrayed with good leadership qualities and a strong work ethic. However, does Odysseus really fit into this criteria?

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329 Words | 2 Pages

In Book 9 of The Odyssey, Odysseus demonstrates many qualities of an epic hero. His courage is showcased when he gets stuck in a cave with the cyclopes and manages to think of an escape route using the sheep. His quick thinking and bravery are exemplary and serve as a reminder of why he is an epic hero. Odysseus demonstrates his courage and strength of character in the first epic hero quality we see him portray. This is evidenced by his willingness to lock himself in with the cyclopes despite the danger.

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997 Words | 4 Pages

A hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. Anyone who puts themselves before others not for recognition or an award, but because it is the right thing to do, is a true hero. In "The Odyssey," written by Homer is an epic poem about a man named Odysseus and his crewmates competing against the power of the gods to return to their homeland, Ithaca. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus.

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1024 Words | 5 Pages

His name is Odysseus. In the Odyssey, Odysseus deserves the distinction of an epic hero for many reasons such as the fact that he is cunning, formidable, and resourceful. Furthermore, Odysseus deserves the distinction of an epic hero because he is a cunning man. Odysseus used much strategy to tackle obstacles and defeat many of his antagonists.

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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.

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752 Words | 4 Pages

During Odysseus’s journeys, while trying to find his way back home, he goes through many adventures showing off these characteristics of a hero. The first characteristic that Odysseus possessed, which shows he is an epic hero, is how brave he was. For instance, when Odysseus wanted to venture off to Circe and leave the island, it was Eurylochos that told him not to go without his

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435 Words | 2 Pages

Odysseus is an epic hero because he is strategic hero. For example, he was strategic by creating the Trojan Horse during the Trojan war that help the Greeks win the war with Agamemnon. In fact, he even was strategic when him and his crew were trapped in Polyphemus cave on Cyclops Island, he gave the cyclops alcohol and stabbed him in the eye with a huge spear and him and his crew were able to escape. Odysseus also escaped because Odysseus said to the cyclops “My name is Nobody. Nobody, my father, mother, and friends call me Nobody” (Homer page 9).

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222 Words | 1 Pages

Despite his superhuman characteristics, Odysseus proves to be a false hero whose human imperfections, such as pride, vulnerability, and ignorance, define character. But Odysseus shows he has traits of an epic hero. He showed his intelligence when he disguised him and his men as a sheep so that the cyclops would unwittingly let them out the cave. Also, Odysseus had the hero like quality to lead. He showed this quality by keeping his men together for the most part by earning their loyalty and devotion he lead them and they were by his side even when they fought Scylla.

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1366 Words | 6 Pages

Odysseus is truly an epic hero, he has many different perils and dangers that he must face. He is a Greek soldier who fought in the Trojan War and is trying to return home. Some of the gods and goddesses are on his side, however, some are not on his side. He was stranded for ten years before he could finally go back to his family, and home on Ithaca. Odysseus is an epic hero because of his physical strength, his mental sharpness, and his cunning ability to always get out alive.

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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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831 Words | 4 Pages

Well the definition of an epic hero is, “a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events. ”(Dictionary.com) If that doesn’t describe Odysseus, I don’t know what does. He risks his life in many circumstances, and he’s widely admired for being the one of the reasons the trojans won the war. He is also affected by lots of events throughout his adventures.

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541 Words | 3 Pages

Odysseus is an epic hero because of his bravery and confidence during every obstacle throughout his journey In Part 1 whie Odysseus is about to come across cyclops cave, he says “I brought along and victuals in a bag, for in my bones I knew some towering brute would be upon so soon- all outward power, a wild man, ignorant of civility. “ Odysseus is showing his bravery of not being petrified of what he might come across, like the cyclops. Odysseus has no intention of harming them, but he is not sure what their intention is. This example is important because not only does it show confidence in himself, he also shows confidence in his men. In Part 2 Odysseus also shows his confidence in his men in part 2 where Eurylochus says, “Are you flesh and blood, Odysseus, to endure more than a man can?

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1058 Words | 5 Pages

The Epic Hero of The Odyssey The Odyssey is a tale of a great hero trying to get home. An epic hero. An epic hero is a courageous and honorable person. Homer’s character Odysseus exemplifies this in many ways.

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