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Examples of heroism in the odyssey
Odysseus being a hero
The good and bad of odysseus
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Examples of heroism in the odyssey
Odysseus being a hero
The good and bad of odysseus
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
One of the reasons those people might say that is because Odysseus has a hero’s key traits: he was loyal, compassionate, and cunning. Odysseus was loyal to his family by trying his best to get home and succeeding. Compassion was shown by Odysseus when he was patient while plotting against the Trojans. Last but not least Odysseus was cunning when he defeated the Cyclops in the cave whilst escaping.
Fourth reason, in the beginning of the book, Homer wrote, “he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home” (Homer 5). But what good is Odysseus saving himself for when in the end he couldn't even control his members in the end. That's why he shouldn't have recklessly sacrificed so many of his members and had a big ego. When Odysseus went back home, he saw that his son and his wife were not safe, so he killed the man’s who were trying to win Penelope heart to gain power. Penelope was so happy that he was back, but really, if Odysseus never left, Penelope and his son would've never be in danger in the first place, that's why he is not a hero.
It is clear that Odysseus is not a hero through his terrible leadership. In conclusion, Odysseus is not a hero because of his impulsive decisions, his hubris, and terrible leadership. He does not plan ahead, he is not humble and a sore loser, and he strays away from telling important things to his men. Though in Greek society Odysseus is seen as a hero, he can not be called one now.
Heroes are often thought of as very powerful and superhuman, but would someone be a hero if they led many men to their deaths? In the many parts of the story “The Odyssey” By Homer, Odysseus shows unheroic characteristics in several of his actions. Odysseus is the leader of Ithaca and he must go on a 20-year journey to arrive back home after fighting in the Trojan war. Odysseus and his men get stuck at several places for several years which elongates the journey. Odysseus is not a hero because he does several things to get his men hurt to help himself get home.
According to Christopher Reeve, “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure despite overwhelming obstacles.” In The Odyssey, Odysseus tries to return to his home Ithaca from Troy but lets his pride get to him. Throughout the journey, he faces many obstacles because of his pride. Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus shows that he is not a hero because of his pride, arrogance, and emotions. Odysseus shows that he is not a hero when he takes pride in himself when he is about to leave the island of the Cyclops after blinding him.
There is no excuse for his behavior, except his own selfish pride and hubris. So no, Odysseus is not a Hero.
As the popular American poet and author, Maya Angelou, said, “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” Odysseus is revered by few as a hero, to many others he’s a pirate who loves to boast of his victories. And if the quote holds true, only caring for a handful of people is no heroic quality. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus displays few heroic qualities but loves acting like a pirate. Odysseus is no hero, an unreasonable man who has few heroic traits and protects only a handful of people.
Joseph Campbell once said, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, the author shows the reader the true significance of honor and immortalization. The raging Trojan War of 1200 BC started to break out after Paris (Prince of Troy) kidnapped Helen (most beautiful women in the world) from her husband Menelaus (King of Sparta). Her husband called upon numerous soldiers to rescue her, one being Odysseus the great King of Ithaca. The epic poem demonstrates the adventures as he returns from Troy to Ithaca traveling with 12 fleets, encountering antagonistic monsters and enchanting women/ goddesses from getting home to his wife Penelope and his son.
In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus should be considered a hero! Odysseus has done more good deeds than bad deeds throughout the years of the Odyssey. Odysseus has saved lives more than he has taken them for no good reason. Odysseus has honored people more than dishonored people. Today’s hero code is completely different than in Odysseus’s time.
I think Odysseus is not a hero. Most people would say he is but I think this because he is a selfish man and kills people. At first he sounds like an okay person who is a nice man. Wait till you find out what he has done. Odysseus is a very Selfish man.
Odysseus is not a hero because he stabs Polyphemus in the eye and blinds him. Odysseus is still a hero because he is a leader. Moreover, after Odysseus and his men fight the Cicones, he orders ¨Back and Quickly! Out to sea again!” (Homer 984).
In The Odyssey Homer makes Odysseus’ journey to his beloved Ithaca excruciating. Odysseus encounters many friends and foes throughout his journey and has to be a leader throughout his experiences. As an example, he encounters Polyphemus and Poseidon, both of whom make his journey mentally and physically painful. Odysseus faces countless scenarios in which he has to save multiple people in those situations. He also encounters the suitors, who are a group of men that try to marry Penelope, when he returns to reclaim his home.
Was Odysseus a hero? The definition of hero - “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” In Homer's Odyssey Odysseus was a major part in the victory of the Trojan war, he was the one who came up with the idea of the Trojan Horse which should make him a hero only for that. All Odysseus wanted to do was to get home but some obstacles were placed in front of him preventing him from getting home, yes it was bad decisions that led these obstacles to be put there but everyone makes mistakes. But instead of falling to these obstacles he persevered and got home to his Mom, wife and son.
It could be said that he is not a hero because after he defeats Polyphemus, he yells to him, “If I could take your life I would and take your time away, and hurl you down to hell! The god of earthquake could not heal you there!”(479-481). By saying this, he was challenging a god and belittling Poseidon's power, which does not aline with Greek values. Still, this does not make Odysseus less of a hero. What he said was wrong, but he was punished and he changed his ways.
Some think Odysseus is a hero for many reasons, mainly because he helps many people including his family and his crew. Even when terrible things happen to him and his crew he perseveres and continues on his journey home. Even though Odysseus and his men do bad things like eating the sun god’s cattle there still are many reasons why he is a hero. One reason to support my claim is that he saves his crew many times. One example is when they sailed by the Sirens.