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Greek religion and mythology
Literary analysis of homer the odyssey
What is the definition of a hero
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Greek religion and mythology
Literary analysis of homer the odyssey
What is the definition of a hero
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Even though everyone perceives Odysseus, main character of Homer’s Odyssey as the ideal hero, Superman is obviously the real hero. So what Odysseus went away from home for 20 years? Superman left his home 35 years ago, and can’t even return home because his is completely destroyed. Odysseus can only use his “special bow” only he can string while Superman has superhuman hearing, sight, and strength.
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.
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.
Odysseus isn't a hero at all. There are a lot of reason to throw out that will prove he ist a hero. Therefore .Odysseus reminds me of batman. The reason why, is batman doesn't have superpowers as a mortal god.
Merriam-Webster’s definition of a hero is a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities. Using that definition, yes, Odysseus is a hero. He was admired for his great bravery, and cunningness, but nowhere in the definition does it say that doing wrong things may have disqualified Odysseus from earning the title “hero”. Does plundering the island of Cicones, or staying back with Calypso and being untruthful to his wife make him a bad candidate for the title? If Odysseus were doing the things that he did today, he would certainly not be a hero in my eyes.
If Odysseus where to be using modern day standards by being a hero. He would be more of saving things than to harm them. Odysseus is a old hero and if he were to be in the new days. His actions would have put him in prison or in jail. Odysseus is a Greek hero that traveled and fought many challenges for over twenty years.
Odysseus a Greek Hero After completing Homer ’s The Odyssey, many people debate over whether Odysseus is actually a hero. Odysseus is definitely an example of the ideal Greek hero.
Odysseus Essay: Odysseus of Ithaka. Some historians have argued for years that he is a noble hero, and others say he is just a man trying to get home from many hardship and challenges, however Odysseus is the definition of a hero. During Odysseus’s journey it becomes evident that Odysseus is a hero like the legends say, he meets all the criterias of being a hero such as being brave, smart, fighting against evil, and protecting others from danger. For generations people have been correct to honor the great Odysseus, for his actions along his adventures. Although there has been some evidence that points to Odysseus not being a hero, this essay will give three reasons why Odysseus should be respected as a hero.
What do we consider a hero? In modern society you might think of a hero as a firefighter or a soldier. Values of modern day U.S.A have strayed from those of the Ancient Greeks. Although Odysseus was a hero by Greek values, today he would be nothing of the sort. Odysseus would not be considered a hero by modern standards because he has no regard for anyone for himself, he is too stubborn and prideful, and he ignores all consequences.
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.
Heroes are, “People who take risks despite fear”(Source 2). In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus faces many challenges that make him a hero. He battles monsters, goddesses, and enchantresses. Odysseus is a hero in the way that he uses his brain to think about and approach dilemmas. When he and his men are on the Cyclops’ island, Odysseus tells the cyclops that his name was Nobody.
The concept of hero has been interpreted in many ways throughout the ages. Hero have gone from knights slaying dragons and rescuing the princess, to heroes who save the world with their supernatural-like powers, to a modern day hero who is someone who has noble qualities and is regarded as a role model. In the epic, The Odyssey, by Robert Fagles, the heroic Odysseus is a well known in Greek mythology. However, although Odysseus is the most respected, honorable hero of Greek mythology he is not a modern hero. A modern day hero is someone who puts their life on the line to save the lives of other innocent people.
The interpretation of a Hero is exclusive for every individual; however there are several foundations on which a preponderance can comply on. The foundation of basic traits within a heroic tale exemplify traits such as leadership, humility, chutzpah, benevolence, and courage. The aspirant shows egotism, displays cruelty or deceitful trickery, or departs from an impregnable foe he is no longer considered an aspiring hero. Furthermore, a candidate must benefit the society as a whole, instead of the individual. These traits were an important aspect of Homeric culture, but they were paramount to a Hero.
Odysseus: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Odysseus, he’s known as a war hero on his way back to his homeland, who ends up going on a ten year long journey due to unforeseen circumstances. On this journey, he encounters many monsters, many ladies, and we see his good side and his bad side. Due to the fact that he’s very noble and brave (and in an epic poem), that makes him an epic hero. He’s also a very famous archetype for The Hero.
Some think Odysseus is a hero for many reasons, mainly because he helps many people including his family and his crew. Even when terrible things happen to him and his crew he perseveres and continues on his journey home. Even though Odysseus and his men do bad things like eating the sun god’s cattle there still are many reasons why he is a hero. One reason to support my claim is that he saves his crew many times. One example is when they sailed by the Sirens.