Odysseus As A Hero In The Odyssey By Homer

Hero or Not? What is an archetypal hero? Superman, Batman, the police, firefighters, your mom or dad? Many think a hero is one who has super powers or a special ability, but there is a lot more to being a hero. A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. However, a hero is not just found in modern society or movies, but they are also found in mythology. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus earned the title of a true hero by conveying many heroic qualities such as, determination, courage, and leadership. The Odyssey by Homer is about Odysseus and his 10 year journey returning back home to Ithaca after the Trojan war. On his way home he had many tough and encounters for example some were the cyclops, the Lotus-eaters, the sirens,

While his family was back home his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus shoo away the suitors that want Penelope‘s hand. In the end Odysseus becomes a hero and re-takes the throne of Ithaca. In order to be a hero one must be fearless and have a lot of courage, meaning they must have to act confident in their actions. Looking back at the text of the odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus did have many fearless traits. For instance “Hear me, my lord, whoever you are. I came in great need to you, a fugitive from the sea and the curse of Poseidon; even for the immortal gods that man has a claim on their mercy who comes to them as wondering man in the way that I now come to you current and to your knees after much suffering pity me then, my lord I call myself your supplicant.” (Homer 1012. 895-905) This shows that Odysseus is fearless and had the courage to talk to the gods to forgive his men. He thinks about others. Instead he could have not talked to the gods and left his men in