Odysseus is a hero like no other. He battled at Troy, survived storms at sea, fought horrible monsters and saved his family. His adventure paints a perfect image of a hero in so many ways. Odysseus has many hero-like characteristics: strong, courageous, cunning and loyal. The gods even think very high of him. Zeus, the almighty god speaks highly of Odysseus by stating, “‘how could I forget Odysseus? No other mortal has a mind like his, or offers Sacrifice like him to the deathless gods in heaven’” (Book 1 Line 71-73). Being recognize by the gods shows how worthy Odysseus is and how they will protect him through troubles. Textual evidence provides further detail of the safety of Odysseus by the gods when Zeus sent Hermes to save him from Calypso. …show more content…
He displayed strength and strategy to help the Greeks defeat the Trojans and became a hero. Nestor, the Gerenian horseman, speaking to Telemachus showed how cunning Odysseus was by stating, “‘No man could match Odysseus for cunning. Your father was the master of all strategies’” (Book 3 Line 132-133). Nestor and Odysseus helped advised the Argives to sack Priam’s tall town by penetrating with the wooden horse, helping them win the war. The war started the reputation of a hero for Odysseus and gave him a lot of respect among his people. Menelaus, a king, showed much praise to Odysseus and showed the strength that he had by boosting to Telemachus, “‘By now I have come to know many heroes, and have travelled far and wide, But I have never laid eyes on anyone who had an enduring heart like Odysseus’” (Book 4 Line 286-289). Menelaus also described Odysseus strength, “O Father Zeus, And Athena and Apollo, bring Odysseus back with the strength he showed in lesbos once he wrestled a match with Philomeleides And threw him hard, making all of us cheer- That’s the Odysseus I want the suitors to meet” (Book 4 Line 365-370). Odysseus with a great mind and strength with respect from numerous warriors provides great evidence of a …show more content…
He was stuck on an island with the beautiful Calypso (beautiful goddess) and was having a very good time with her (just like a hero should) but the gods let him leave. He fought through many storms and nearly died. Athena made sure the hero didn’t and with Odysseus quick thinking escaped a huge storm, the text provides more detail, “Odysseus’s strong hands clinging to the rocks until the skin was ripped off. The wave pulled him under, and he would have died Then and there. But Athena was with him” (Book 5 line 437-440). Heroes survive tough trials and come out victorious and Odysseus is a perfect