How Is Odysseus A Hero

Odysseus-The famous Greek hero Everyone wants to be a hero, because that is a honor. But no one exactly knows what a hero is and what their life like? Homer, the famous Greek poet, he writes a famous epic the "Odyssey" to record and praise the famous hero Odysseus, who is the king of the Ithaca. For the Troy war, Odysseus has to leave his family to lead his army to fight the war for 7 years. After the war, Odysseus and his men try to find their way back to their island, but many troubles show up, Odysseus uses his talent to overcome all kinds of troubles. Finally, he is the only survivor who returns to Ithaca. From the start to the end of his journey, Odysseus leaves home, and he is gone for a total of twenty years.

He will overcome all the problems. Because he is away from home for a long time, he misses his family very much. This becomes the source of Odysseus 's bravery. If Odysseus and his men want to come back to Ithaca, then they must go through many ordeals, even their enemy is Polyphemus, the cyclops. Otherwise, they never have a chance to see their families. When Polyphemus talked with Odysseus and his men, "we felt a pressure on our hearts, in dread of that deep rumble and that mighty man." (Odysseus 246-248) Odysseus makes a plan , “Now came the time to toss for it: who ventured along with me? Whose hand could bear to thrust and grind that spike in Cyclops’ eye, when mild sleep had mastered him? As luck would have it, the men I would have chosen won the toss-four strong men, and I made five as captain.” (Odysseus 324-329) Other men, who are Odysseus’s shipmates are scared of Polyphemus, only Odysseus has a idea and bravely leads his men to fight with Polyphemus, and leave Polyphemus’ home successfully. Odysseus is a brave

But it does not mean the adventure is over. The problems show up one by one just like waves in the sea. There are other troubles and ordeals waiting for him. Hundreds of suitors want to marry Odysseus' wife, Penelope. And they ruin his palace. Odysseus is the king of Ithaca, how can he tolerate their rule. Odysseus angrily says “You yellow dogs, you thought I’d never make it home from the land of Troy. You took my house to plunder, twisted my maids to serve your bed. You dared bid for the gods who rule wide heaven, contempt for what men say of you hereafter. Your last hour has come. You die in blood”(Odysseus 1254-1260) Their behaviors make Odysseus so mad. He has to fight with them to protect his family and his dignity. He must use his wisdom to find a way to kill suitors and save himself. The suspense builds as Odysseus, once again disguised as a beggar.(the beggar and the faithful dog) Thousands of suitors can not scare Odysseus. It shows he is brave again. After Odysseus gets his bow, he start killing the suitors who are without weapons, he drew to his the cruel head of an arrow for Antinous… Odysseus’s arrow hit him under the chin and punched up to the feathers through his throat. (Homer 1227-1235 ) It shows he is cautious and smart. No one can imagine that one man can resist a big group of man. It also shows Odysseus is a man of prowess.