Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

Heroes are not invulnerable, every Superman has his kryptonite, and all light is born from darkness. These traits of a hero are evident in life, and in the 3000-year-old epic poem, The Odyssey, written by Homer and translated by Robert Fitzgerald. In The Odyssey, Odysseus, Master Mariner and Soldier, is attempting to return home after the Trojan War, to his wife Penelope, son Telemakhos, and his throne as the king of Ithaka. With Poseidon desperately trying to halt his journey, Odysseus faces a multitude of monsters, and distractions on his travels. “The Odyssey-- the return of Odysseus from troy to reclaim his threatened home on Ithaca-- is a superb story, rich in character, adventure and incident… and making the household, rather than the

One of the more conspicuous examples of Odysseus showing prudence was when he goes back to his kingdom disguised as a beggar. He could’ve easily stormed his castle and killed the suitors, but he decided to air on the side of caution. “Count up the suitors for me, let me know what men at arms are there, how many men.” (Book XVI Lines 278-279). This quote is Odysseus telling his son Telemakhos to count up the suitors so he can make a plan of action; it shows the caution in his new technique of battle. Also during his battle with the suitors, Odysseus accepts help from Telemakhos and Athena during the fight. “At this moment that unmanning thunder cloud, the aegis, Athena’s shield, took form aloft in the great hall.” (Book XXII Lines 330-332). This is a quote from The Odyssey, at the exact moment during the battle against the suitors that Athena joined in on the fighting, and swiftly ended it. Furthermore, Odysseus is very emotional about his family. crying throughout his journey because of the misery he felt from being separated for so long. This emotion is highlighted upon his return to Ithaka. “ Held back too long, the tears ran down his cheeks as he embraced his son.” (Book XVI Lines 223-224). “Cries burst from the both as keen and fluttering… so helplessly they cried, pouring out tears.” (Book XVI Lines 255-260). These quotes show that Odysseus is no longer only self-centered

Odysseus was egotistical, and as a result, it cost him and his allies great losses. However, by the end, Odysseus becomes a selfless person, someone who can be deemed a true hero. “Odysseus doesn’t have a linear growth pattern like Telemahkos; he already exhibited his manliness and his warrior self during the Trojan War. His trials have more to do with the gaining of wisdom and judgement beyond the heroic code, which will make him a better king. He gradually learns prudence and self-restraint. He learns to act less on impulse and to follow a strategy. By the end of the epic, Odysseus seems to be wiser and more perceptive than in the beginning of his travels.” (Reading the Odyssey - Kristina Passman - Page 15). Human nature says that nobody is perfect. Whether it be impulsiveness, greed, or impertinence, not a single person can honestly say that they have no downfalls. But, with a little work, and a little time to mull these imperfections over, you can improve them. Heroes are not perfect, but that is ok, because that means that they can improve, just like