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Odysseus the hero in the odyssey
In what part of the odyssey does odysseus show that he is a hero
Odysseus the hero in the odyssey
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As a leader Odysseus should be careful to do exactly what will benefit his crew the most. The lack of communication throughout the whole journey home will eventually lead to mistrust and betrayal of Odysseus by his crew. Following Scylla and Charybdis they reach the island of the god of the sun, and because of the crew’s spite for Odysseus they don’t follow his directions not to harm the cattle of the Sun. Just in the events of the journey back to Ithaca alone the reader can see how Odysseus’ inability to be a strong leader leads to the dismantling of a good relationship between him and his crew, which leads to a much more difficult trip. Odysseus’ inability to be a great leader for the group leads to a lot of conflict among the crew members.
In the novel “The Odyssey” Homer displays the main character Odysseus with god like qualities which results in him judging others through tone and actions. When the main character Odysseus came from his confrontation with the goddess Circe his group of men are happy and grateful to see him. His men are gathered around him as if they are the sheep and he is the Shepard that guides them through every step of the way. Odysseus is a well respected man who is admired by his men and is like a higher power to due his god like qualities . While odyssey’s crew is stranded without his leadership and advice, they are unsure where to go due to lack of knowledge and no mentor to lead them.
Usually, epic heroes share common character traits such as braveness, courage, and leadership. In Homer’s Odyssey, it is my belief that Odysseus is a hero because he demonstrated leadership qualities by leading his group to fight the suitors by being disguised as a beggar so that nobody would suspect him as being Odysseus. For example he fought the suitors, the three headed monsters, and a giant.
Odysseus’s Leadership In Homer’s famous epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus, the protagonist who spends the book traveling home after the Trojan War while encountering different obstacles along the way, shows many different admirable qualities. He shows that he is prepared to sacrifice his life to be a good leader for his crew after his success in Troy, and not only wants to return home himself to his family, but also wants his crew to be able to do the same. Though some might argue that he is a flawed leader, his positive traits outnumber his understandable mistakes. Though some might argue that Odysseus shouting at Polyphemus, saying “Odysseus… took your eye:/ Laertes’s son, whose home’s on Ithaka” (9.551-9.552) was a sign of foolishness, he had a right to this anger, as Polyphemus had just devoured many of his friends.
When Telemachus encounters Menelaus, readers learn more about the heroic status of Odysseus through a set of epic conventions. Menelaus and Telemachus’ exchange in particular gives insight on the epic conventions that are used to praise Odysseus for his heroism. After listening to Telemachus troubles and pleas for help, Menelaus begins his speech with praise for Odysseus through an epithet, calling him a “great captain” (359). By saying this Menelaus shows respect for Odysseus’ leadership and skill. Menelaus continues with an epic simile, which doesn’t contribute much to the plot, but can reveals more about Odysseus’ heroic status.
In The Odyssey there are many characters who could be defined as a hero. Odysseus is not one of these characters due to his loose morals leading him to be disloyal and have impulsive behavior. Throughout Odysseus’ journey home, he exhibits his loose morals as he is disloyal. Odysseus and Calypso make love one last time after receiving the news from Mt. Olympus that it is time for Odysseus to leave. Homer says, “And now, withdrawing into the cavern’s deep recesses, long in each other’s arms they lost themselves in love” (Homer 5.250-251).
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.
Douglas MacArthur once said “A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others,” His saying points out that in order to be a true leader, they shall be confident and independent as well as courageous through difficult decisions and open-minded. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus shows all of these traits during his journey returning home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Odysseus as a human makes foolish mistakes, many important choices are made during his trip to Ithaca, he truly is longing for his return home and does whatever it takes whether it is good or bad. Odysseus shows elements of good leadership throughout book IX. In the beginning,
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.
Even though Odysseus has many things to worry about through his adventure, he manages to make tough decisions for the best interest for him and his men to survive. According to the article, “The Nine Traits that Define Great Leadership,” “ All leaders must make tough decisions”(1). In other words, the best leaders are capable in making difficult decisions in a difficult situation. Odysseus is certainly a decisive leader. Whatever situations come his way he thinks about what him and his men need to do for their best interest and make a decision quickly.
In Greek mythology there are over a thousand stories about heroes and their adventures against nature and mystical and dangerous creatures. But there are always a few traits in the heroes that are repeated in all of these stories. And the Odyssey is not different. Through out the Odyssey the main character, Odysseus, shows a number of heroic qualities. Some of those qualities he shows is his kindness for his men, and bravery when facing all of the hardships in the Odyssey.
Odysseus faces a Cyclops, named Polyphemus, in the Odyssey. Polyphemus is a giant with one eye, has no manners, and eats people when he gets cross. Odysseus is the most heroic in the poem against this beast. Odysseus had to be clever and cunning to get himself and his men out of Polyphemus's cave alive. This act of heroism and leadership shows that Odysseus was the very heroic while fighting the Cyclops.
But sometimes, his choices raise questions about whether he’s a hero or just looking out for himself. Odysseus stands as a constant leader who prioritizes the safety of his men from the numerous perils they face. Odysseus throughout the story of, The Odyssey, exemplifies heroic qualities such as courage, cunning, and leadership to prioritize the well-being of his men. One notable example that displays Odysseus’ courage occurs when he encounters the enchantress Circe on the island of Aeaea.
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.
The Odyssey by Homer is a book that involves the Journey of Odysseus and his men and the Obstacles they come across. The Odyssey portrays many themes including vengeance, hospitality, courage, bravery and more. Odysseus experiences some good and bad during his journey. He comes across people who help him, but also comes across creatures who hold him back. Odysseus is an Epic hero because of his quick thinking skills, bravery, and confidence for himself and his men.
