Odysseus Flaws

Odysseus showed many traits of an anti-hero. He isn't are average strong, and brave hero he had many flaws. We see him many time break down, and be very weak. When we think of heros , they don't really have those moments. They are strong both mentally and physically.

For example, “Odysseus with massive hands drew his rich mantle down over his brow, cloaking his face with it, to make the Phaiakians miss his secret tears that started in his eyes.” (127 line 90)Odysseus was yet again showing a weak side of himself. Another example would be, “... went to find odysseus in his stone seat-tear on tear brimming his eyes.”(page 85 line 157-158) In both scene we see odysseus completely breaking down. The definition of a hero is, “a person, typically

“ stranger, you are no longer what you were just now! Your cloak is new; even your skin! You are on of the gods who rule the sweep of heaven!” (book Fitzgerald line 216-219) Even his son didn't recognize him because of how much the gods empower him. Even though he does have flaws he does show some quality of a hero. Many people look up to him because he is intelligent and a good leader, we see him many time proving them right. When they were challenged by Scylla, he showed the admirable quality of a hero by sacrificing his men. It may not sound all that heroic but that is a job of hero, he must do what other won't. Even with all his heroic quality I don't think there is much to admire about him. He was seen as a leader so he does as his image ask of him to do. There are many leader that do greater good for the world than odysseus. He lead a war, which is amazing, but their many other in the war as well and other leaders in the war. Odysseus was doing as he was supposed and that was it. Also probably wouldn't have been able to go home without the help of the

Current issue that was addressed in the odysseus was the horrible treatment of great heros. In the current day we see the little that veterans get. Most come back with mental illness and some of them even become homeless. The government does a poor job at providing the help the veterans need. In 2012 presidential election no candidate bothered to address the problem of veterans, “Kayyem said it’s too easy for the public to forget veterans, because they comprise such a small and often isolated segment of the population.” (Dan Froomkin)This is similar to the odyssey, because when odysseus was gone the suitors just completely disrespected him. They come and take his food and even try to take his wife away. “ My distinguished father is lost, who ruled among you come, mild as a father, and there is now this greater evil still: my home and all I have are being ruined.” (book__line 49-52) In this quote telemachus talks about the problem of the suitors. Odysseus used to be so respected but now his own house is being trashed by the sutors. Another example of the disrespect for heros would be odysseus father. When we first get to see him, he looks terrible, the cloth he wore were not the cloth that a used-to-be great general should wear. “ He wear a tunic, patched and soiled and leggings-oxhide patches, bound below his knees against the brambles; gauntlets on his hands and on his head a goatskin cowl of