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Odysseus: An Epic Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

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When you think of heroes, Superman, Batman, and WonderWoman come to mind. When you think about war heroes, a different picture comes to mind: successful battles, weapons, glory. Homer’s character Odysseus may not fly, but he is considered both. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus gradually develops from a boastful war hero into an epic hero through the stages of the Challenges, the Transformation, and the Atonement.
Odysseus begins his transition by showcasing his wit and intelligence through his success in the Challenges, but he makes foolish mistakes. This is evidenced when Odysseus and his crew encounter Polyphemus, the cyclops. Homer displays Odysseus’s intellect when he decided to use the pseudonym “Nobody,” and as a result displays quick …show more content…

Odysseus’s main goal throughout the first half of the epic is to complete his journey home to Telemachus and Penelope. However, when Athena informs him of the suitors, he exclaims, “Come, weave us a scheme so I can pay them back! Stand beside me, Athena, fire me with daring” (Homer 299). Odysseus’s dependance on Athena for his success rather than fighting alone for the sake of glory against the suitors reveals a more humble side of his character. Divine Intervention is displayed when Athena disguises him as a beggar so he can carry out their planned revenge. Odysseus now has new determination to complete his journey and defeat the suitors. Bloom states, “This becomes crucial in his triumph over the suitors of Penelope, where his heroism is directly aided by Athena. Yet his heroic agon to assert and to reestablish his identity is very much his own enterprise” (Bloom). Although his perseverance contributes to his victory, it would not have been possible had Athena not interfered, and Odysseus acknowledges that. Odysseus uses Athena’s guidance in the Transformation to aid his development and become more

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Without these peculiar, but precious traits, Odysseus would never had made it home. Odysseus’s quality of craftiness and quick thinking contributes to his intelligence. When he fought the cyclopes in “Book 9,” he had to think quick on his feet to help save him and the

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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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Odysseus’s Traits Throughout the Odyssey, the main character Odysseus goes on an epic adventure with his focus being to get home to his wife Penelope, and his son Telemachus. He faces many obstacles dealing with characters such as the Cyclopes, Poseidon, Aeolus, Athena, Helios, Calypso, Zeus, Hermes, Scylla, and Circe. Odysseus’s men are some of the most valuable people to him throughout the Odyssey. He always puts himself in front of danger for them to protect them even though they all died from an unexpected turn of events soon before he returns home. When Odysseus comes home he greets his twenty year old son and straightens things out on his homeland, Ithaca.

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Athena is a major character throughout the book of The Odyssey and is known as the goddess of wisdom and battle. Throughout the course of the book, it is evident that Athena has a weak spot for the main character, Odysseus. Odysseus is trying to return home after the Trojan War, as the other Greek hero’s have already done, however he faces multiple challenges a long the way. Fortunately, for Odysseus, Athena was there to guide him through a few of these troubling situations.

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Although Odysseus is a strong, smart man, his heroic stature depends on the gods in every situation, particularly Athena and Zeus. * Athena plays

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Even Though Odysseus says he wants to get back to his wife, his inconsiderate attempts keeps him away much longer the he should've. If it was not for Athena and the disguises the story would've ended sooner, and more harsh than the story did for Telemachus and Odysseus. Athena is Odysseus’ guardian throughout the story and they both use different Disguises to help out no just themselves, but directly and indirectly helps the others around them. Odysseus is given a disguise by Athena. All of the disguises Odysseus and Athena use benefits not just them but those around them

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Naturally, he has much to be proud of: his sexy and loyal wife, his bravery, and his victorious battles from the Trojan War and beyond. However, his arrogance creates a weakness in his character that negatively impacts himself and the people around him. The evolution in Odysseus’s personality turns him from an arrogant flaunter to a humble man, and demonstrates that the strifes he encounters during his journey home is not simply new experiences, but also his beginning of a profound revelation. Starting from the middle of the mountain, Odysseus’s new transformation will allow him to soar to the top with eagle

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On his way home from the Cyclops’ island, Athena comforts Odysseus and assists obstacles he will encounter. Athena wants Odysseus to finally be able to rest, so she tells him “Odysseus, great strategist, it is time for your son to know the truth; together you have to plan to kill the suitors. Then both of you go into town. I will join you there soon myself; indeed I am itching to fight” (16.167-172). Athena is helping Odysseus plan the final battle on his journey.

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For example, Athena uses her power of disguise to help Telemachus on his journey to find his father. She continues to use this power to disguise Odysseus as a beggar to allow him to reunite with his family and prove his power and worth to Penelope among the suitors. Telemachus and Odysseus are ultimately victorious because of Athena’s power; in fact, Athena is the hero of this epic poem. With Athena’s guidance and help, both Telemachus and Odysseus ultimately prove

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He also provides the leadership characteristic with making men follow his every move and really questioning him. Most importantly he almost perfectly follows Joseph Campbell's hero cycle. Odysseus call to adventure is ten years after the trojan war has ended and odysseus is helplessly trapped on Calypso's island, Ogygia. Calypso is madly in love with odysseus and unwilling to let him leave and furthermore Odysseus has no ship or crew to help him get home. As Odysseus dreams of being home with his wife and son they are fighting off suitors who have come to pillage odysseus land and try to marry his wife penelope.

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After she reveals herself to Odysseus, Athena tells Odysseus what needs to be done to get rid of the suitors at his palace. Odysseus also depends on Athena as him mentor. He ask Athena to "Weave a plan so I can pay them back!" (Homer 332). Odysseus trusts goddess Athena's plan to get rid of the suitors and having her as his mentor, he is more confident to take down the suitors.

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Just as Achilles is confronted in the Iliad with the problem of balancing his honor with his pride, Odysseus repeatedly faces situations in which self-restraint and humility must check bravado and glory-seeking. In his early adventures, he fails these tests, as when he taunts Polyphemus, inflaming Poseidon. As the epic progresses, Odysseus becomes increasingly capable of judging when it is wise to reveal himself and when it is appropriate to rejoice in his

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Here, Odysseus tells Athena that she is all he has left and through her immortal powers, she is the only god still on his side who can help him in his time of need. Therefore, through Athena’s encouraging words, she is able to make Odysseus feel uplifted and more useful, especially as Odysseus is, at this point, very hopeless and miserably

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Odysseus has grown from the man he was before, as now he finds comfort and safety in obeying the gods when in the past he did not consider their wishes. Odysseus has only returned due to Athena and he has recognized that and his compliance is founded in his appreciation and respect for her. Odysseus is now a hero due to the obedience he now has to the gods, founded in a sense of humility. Through Odysseus’ experiences on his journey, he learns the value of obedience and dangers of arrogance and ultimately, become a hero through the lessons learned.

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Also, she helps him stand up against the suitors and become a man. Athena watches over Odysseus the whole time. She is the reason why he gets off Calypso’s island. Athena helps Odysseus and Telemachus kill all of the suitors by forming an elaborate plan. She tells Odysseus to return to Ithaca dressed

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