ipl-logo

Odysseus: An Epic Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

922 Words4 Pages

In Greek society, there are many valued characteristics of the hero Odysseus which are still valued today. These traits may not be as important in today’s modern world, but there is no doubt that Odysseus is an epic hero. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus proves that he is an epic hero through divine intervention in the Call, where he blinds Polyphemus in the Challenges, and the Atonement, where he goes through a transformation. Odysseus reveals the help of the gods as he plots with Telemachus against the suitors who are plaguing his home to take back what is rightfully his in the Call. Odysseus says “...and Athena’s inspiration spurred me here, now, so we could plan the slaughter of our foes. Come, give me the full tally of these suitors …show more content…

Odysseus was very prideful in the beginning, as he had to credit himself for blinding Polyphemus. However, Odysseus’s character is developed on his difficult journey home. Heatherington says “Odysseus must deal not only with arrogant suitors and bad servants, but also with his own anger, pride, and sorrow” (Heatherington 227). This quote shows how Odysseus must deal with internal and external problems throughout his quest and on Ithaca. His transformation in character is visible when he lets himself be embarrassed in his own home as a beggar. When Odysseus asks to see if he can attempt to string the bow the suitors act immaturely, “Modest words that sent them all into hot, indignant rage, fearing that he just might string the polished bow. So Antinous rounded on him, dressed him down: ’Not a shred of sense in your head, you filthy drifter! Not content to feast at your ease with us, the island’s pride?” and are furious with Odysseus (Homer 346). The suitors all get furious with Odysseus, and Antinous personally humiliates Odysseus with the phrase “filthy drifter”. In addition, it says that Odysseus spoke with “modest words” which shows that he was being humble and not bragging about what he can do. This shows a transformation in Odysseus’s character compared to earlier in the book, where he was prideful and bragged about his accomplishments.

Show More
Related
682 Words | 3 Pages

At first, he was rash, impulsive, and prideful. However, the changing point in his life was the enormous journey he had to undertake. By the end of the epic, Odysseus was patient and humble. An example of his former self was when he set sail for home right after the war. He felt as though he didn’t need the gods, and he didn’t sacrifice anything in their name.

Read More
290 Words | 2 Pages

Overall, Odysseus is often portrayed as a “model hero”, but in reality he has many faults such as being untrustworthy, arrogant and

Read More
920 Words | 4 Pages

Now, Odysseus comes to realize that all of his journey, and all of his trials had prepared him for this one moment, for this moment of humility. Odysseus in his own kingdom was able to humble himself even before the lowest in his realm thus showing his vast change in character from the commencement of this

Read More
144 Words | 1 Pages

One example from the text that shows odysseus does not have the incredible heroic trait of humility is found in book 101 the odyssey . in lines 416 -419 , odysseus says,”cyclops if ever mortal man inquires how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him odysseus,laetres son. whose homes on ithaca “ (384). odysseus wanted the cyclops to know who to credit for bringing him. his bragging almost cost him and his men their lives.

Read More
491 Words | 2 Pages

Odysseus bares the detriment of Kenodoxia, or boasting, of which is entangled in the flaunting of one’s accomplishments

Read More
1161 Words | 5 Pages

Cowardice and concealment reject the conventions of a Homeric hero. It is important to realise that a man possessing this intelligence can be condemned for “slipperiness and cheating as much as he may be praised” for impressively quick thinking. However, each proves Odysseus’ ability to change and adapt to situations and seize and exploit moments to his own

Read More
418 Words | 2 Pages

The eight Greek evil thoughts held a key part in how a person lived their daily lives and how a person lived by those rules that they held to a crucial part of their lives. These rules were the moral code of a Grecian daily life and were expected to be followed until the day that you die. The epic, The Odyssey, is written by the scholar Homer. When Odysseus travels to the Cyclops cave he does not expect that in a short amount of time that he would lose some of his men because of the Cyclops devouring them. Through, cunning wit and manipulation, also the use of alcohol, Odysseus and his men stab the Cyclops in his eye and escape the island with the stolen herd that had belonged to the now blind Cyclops.

Read More
856 Words | 4 Pages

He tells them, “I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, know to the world/ for every kind of craft–my fame has reached the skies” (9. 21-22). Odysseus shows his arrogance in this quote. Odysseus is so full of arrogance in the beginning of the book that he cannot let anyone but him get recognition for the stories. Odysseus says himself that he is “known to the world” and his “fame has reached the skies”. These statements show someone who is full of themselves and doesn’t want any point of recognition off of them.

Read More
445 Words | 2 Pages

During Odysseus’ twenty year-long absence, a group of men moved into his estate to court his wife, eat his food, and trash his property. When Odysseus arrives home, he finds the suitors challenging each other to string Odysseus’ heavy old bow, yet “all fail to even bend” it (Homer 645). Odysseus takes it and “in one motion [strings] the bow” (Homer 645), a feat no other could accomplish. Later, with that same bow, Odysseus takes his revenge on the suitors, with “every shot [bringing] down one of his huddling enemies” (Homer 650). This strength shown is extraordinary.

Read More
688 Words | 3 Pages

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

Read More
388 Words | 2 Pages

Athena was with the suitors, but she never gave both sides an easy way to win. Athena would let the suitors miss Odysseus and in return, she tested Odysseus knowledge of how to win in a battle based on his experiences. Every one of the suitors tried, at least tried to kill Odysseus and one of them was the son of Damastor named Agelaus who was killed by the spear that Odysseus had used in the battle (“Homer”). Odysseus would never harm anybody without any reason, but in this case, he needed to protect his family and carry what the deities wanted him

Read More
786 Words | 4 Pages

Throughout Homer’s The Odyssey, characters develop opinions on others based on how they perceive them. As well as viewing others in certain ways, these characters perceive themselves in certain ways. Based on how characters view themselves and are viewed by others, the characters make certain decisions to drive the story of The Odyssey forward.

Read More
591 Words | 3 Pages

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

Read More
574 Words | 3 Pages

In the book The Odyssey, the main character, Odysseus, is a man who is loved and respected by many. In the beginning of the book, we learn that Odysseus has left on a journey and, since it has been many years since his departure, many people assume that he has passed. On his journey, he portrays his many traits, not all of them being good ones either. Some of his good traits include his cunning, bravery, and hard work ethic. On the other hand, his negative traits are his excessive pride, immense curiosity, and rather large temper.

Read More
846 Words | 4 Pages

Odysseus’ reverence to the gods is shown again after the suitors families and the town learns of Odysseus’ homicide, they come after the royal family. Athena and Zeus come to Ithaca, ordering a peace. Homer describes the event and Odysseus’ reaction, “So she commanded. He obeyed her, glad at heart." (Homer 24.598).

Read More

More about Odysseus: An Epic Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

Related Topics

Open Document