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Odysseus Is A Hero Essay

678 Words3 Pages

Odysseus was a man of great proportions, meaning it is his combined qualities that made him a hero- not merely one of his attributes alone. Unfortunately, one of his lesser qualities was his disproportional ego, which seems to get in the way of his crafty schemes and instead shows what can happen when someone give themselves too much power and / or credit. What's interesting is that Odysseus himself is one to boast this grand and alluring title, as this means he gives himself his own credit to his all-mightiness. This sheds light on his true character and his narcissistic qualities, as he certainly believes himself to be a worthy hero.
'Raider of cities' is quite the hefty title. In this case, Odysseus does indeed fulfill the role. Having proved successful with his cunning actions in the Trojan War, he does prove to be quite literally, a 'raider of cities'. …show more content…

While trapped in the cave, Odysseus devises a ruthless plan to escape and puts the Cyclops in his place by proving to be smarter than him, despite his size. “‘O Cyclops! Would you feast on my companions! Puny, am I, in a Caveman’s hands? how do you like the beating we gave you, you damned cannibal? Eater of guests under your roof! Zeus and the gods have paid you!” (502) Even though Odysseus may be one to assume that he is the greatest, he does provide tact and strategy to the game he plays. Polyphemus is larger than Odysseus and should have been able to defeat him easily, but Odysseus proves that it is his intellect that guides him, not just his physical body and stature. Odysseus helped win the Trojan War with the same sharpness and wit that helped him escape Polyphemus’s cave. In this respect, he delivers and conquers the challenges he faces, as any powerful hero would do. An epithet such as ‘raider of cities’ is one that befits Odysseus

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