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Odysseus: The Traits And Values Of An Epic Hero

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When thinking of the term hero, many words may surface to one’s head, such as strength, perseverance, courage, and integrity. These core characteristics are what define a hero and make them not just a regular human, but a beacon and symbol of strength. While there are many different interpretations of what is truly meant by the word “hero”, there is one trait that is never often touched upon—wisdom. Afterall, without wisdom, a hero could not possibly be able to survive on the battlefield. One character that excellently portrays all of the traits and values of a hero is Odysseus, using not only his strength, but his wits and cunning strategies to defeat his foe. Throughout Homer’s epic, Odysseus embodies traits of an epic hero with his courage, …show more content…

Telemachus warns Odysseus that the suitors are “no affair of ten or even twice ten men, but scores, throngs of them. You shall see, here and now. The number from Dulichium alone is fifty-two picked men…If we go in against all these I fear we pay in salt blood for your vengeance” (Homer l 1094-1105). Despite this, Odysseus easily defeats all of the suitors, conveying his peak martial prowess. The suitors’ bodies are even compared to “a catch that fishermen haul in to a half-moon bay…how all are poured out on the sand, in throes for the salt sea, twitching their cold lives away in Helios’ fiery air: so lay the suitors heaped on one another” (Homer l 1535-1539). Although outnumbered, Odysseus is able to slay all of the suitors. He does this only using his physical strength, and wits. Nonetheless, even though all of the suitors were trained fighters, they all died gruesome deaths. This episode is a testament to Odysseus’s formidable strength, and reinforces his status as an epic …show more content…

According to James Ford, “Odysseus's return to Ithaca is a series of disguises, ploys, and careful tests of identity. He pretends to be a foreigner, but he meets Athena, who knows the truth. She counsels him not to reveal himself to anyone (advice that hardly seems necessary, given how cautious Odysseus is)” (Ford 4). In order to not let anyone know he has returned to his homeland, Odysseus disguises himself to give himself the advantage of surprise when attacking his enemy. For if Odysseus reveals himself, he would be hunted down, due to the suitors feeling threatened by him returning. This strategy by Odysseus proves him to be a master of disguise, due to none of the suitors suspecting that the foreigner was in reality Odysseus. When creating an elaborate scheme in order to easily defeat the suitors, he informs Telemachus that “I shall signal to you, nodding: at this point round up all arms…and stow the lot away back in the vaulted storeroom” (Homer l 1134-1138). By hiding the weapons, Odysseus ensures that he and Telemachus have an advantage—due to all the suitors being unarmed, and not on

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Pride and honor The suitors seem dangerously proud, especially when Odysseus returns. In the end, the suitors have dishonored Odysseus and must pay for this. Justice Odysseus, like Orestes, will eventually be a deliverer of justice. Justice takes time. Neither Orestes nor Odysseus can act immediately.

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These statements illustrate that although the death of the suitors was unfortunate, it was brought on by the suitors themselves. Because the suitors and their kinsmen had been warned beforehand about the possible dangers their actions may bring, there is no reason that they should’ve remained around the home of Odysseus. The many warnings expressed towards the suitors leaves their actions inexcusable and provides evidence as to why Odysseus and Telemachos’ actions reached the severity that they

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He battles Polyphemus, Scylla, and Charybdis, and has his crew’s ships destroyed by Laestrygonians. Once Odysseus returns home, he faces the challenge of fighting the suitors who have overrun his home. First, he must, “lineup twelve axes with their handles in the air and fire his arrows through the rings.” This task is hard to suitors but easy for Odysseus. At this point it is clear Odysseus is significantly more powerful than the average man.

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Odysseus and Telemachus’ final conquest over the suitors is used to show the importance of cunning, and the occasional insignificance of physical power. Odysseus, Telemachus, Eumaeus, and Philoetius (the cowherd), face 108 suitors. The suitors are in their prime years, the best men in all of Ithaca. By sheer might alone, Odysseus and Telemachus would not have stood a chance. Yet their cunning defeats the suitors.

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This quote shows Odysseus telling the suitors that he will kill all of them. This takes an immense amount of bravery, as there are so many suitors to fight. Telemachus even believed that he couldn’t do it. The bravery and skills of Odysseus led him to victory and he defeated all the suitors who took his

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The suitors have plagued his house, overstaying their visit and taking advantage of the xenia that Penelope and Telemechas prove. Odysseus is infuriated, and as a response to this, “He’s killed the suitors, swaggering young brutes who plagued his house, wolfed his cattle down, rode roughshod over his son!” (Homer, 23.8-10). When confronted with the suitors, Odysseus’ only response is to slaughter them all, showing how ruthless and irresponsible he is. Although some may argue that Odysseus’ response to this is reasonable because of what the suitors have done to his palace and family, Odysseus’ response is exaggerated and unjust.

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Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, is a complex character with a range of virtues and flaws. While he is widely regarded as a hero, some scholars argue that he is actually an anti-hero. In this essay, I will examine Odysseus's character and actions throughout the epic, using textual evidence to determine whether or not he can be classified as an anti-hero. One of the key arguments in favor of Odysseus being an anti-hero is his tendency to engage in deceit and trickery.

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In Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," Odysseus is portrayed as a complex and multifaceted character, and the question of whether or not he is a hero is one that has been debated by scholars for centuries. On one hand, Odysseus possesses many admirable qualities that are typically associated with a hero, such as intelligence, courage, and leadership. On the other hand, he also has many flaws and makes many questionable decisions that call into question his heroism. One of the main arguments for Odysseus being a hero is his intelligence and cunning.

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These suitors plan to kill Odysseus if they see him. Odysseus expecting this poses as a beggar and sneaks into the suitors contest disguised he is allowed to attempt the challenge he completes it first try before turning the bow on the the men watching and with the help of Telemachus the cowherd and swineherd successfully kills all the suitors.(22.1-129) Odysseus is outnumbered one to a hundred but with his love for Penelope driving him forward to complete this final trial.

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Odysseus says, “I drew it from the coals and my four fellows / gave me a hand, lugging it near the Cyclops / as more than natural force nerved them; straight / forward they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it / deep in his crater eye, and I leaned on it / turning it as a shipwright turns a drill / in planking, having men below to swing / the two-handled strap that spins it in the groove” (Homer 479). Another example of him being brave is when he faces the suitors. Odysseus says that the suitors will pay in blood for what they did to his property and wife. The fight begins and Odysseus and his men get support of Athena. Odysseus and his men show no mercy and kill all the suitors.

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Andrew Son Mrs. Slater English 1 April 3, 2023 Odysseus Cannot Be A Hero Poseidon keeping Odysseus away from his family would have saved all of Ithaca. Odysseus’s poor behavioral attitude of Hubris that both violates Greek values and modern standards shows how he should not be considered a hero. According to the Long Island Psychology Center, Atara Wertentheil explains that “arrogant thinkers are likely to have less adequate performance at work, in daily tasks, or in their personal endeavors” (Wertentheil). A hero’s strife to protect their fellow men has not been shown in most of the epic poem yet shows off violence to the people he loves most. In Gareth Hind’s adaptation of Homer’s

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752 Words | 4 Pages

During Odysseus’s journeys, while trying to find his way back home, he goes through many adventures showing off these characteristics of a hero. The first characteristic that Odysseus possessed, which shows he is an epic hero, is how brave he was. For instance, when Odysseus wanted to venture off to Circe and leave the island, it was Eurylochos that told him not to go without his

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There are few fictional characters who so accurately depict the ancient archetype of a hero as Odysseus. In Homer’s The Odyssey, translated by Robert Fitzgerald, Odysseus is departing from the Trojan city of Troy in order to reach his home country of Ithaca. Throughout the course of his journey, Odysseus is faces multiple challenges testing his leadership, vigor, and wit in order to prove himself to be a true hero. He accomplishes this by bringing about multiple heroic feats and upholding the impuissant and helpless.

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Odysseus came home to find suitors who were trying to marry his wife when he was away at war for 20 years. They have ruined his home and made it into a place of their own, all they wanted was the fame and power that Odysseus had and did not care to respect Penelope and Telemachus. When Odysseus finally revealed himself in the epic, he was able to get his revenge against the suitors. It has been long awaited but was able to kill them all including the fact that justice was served after all those years of their disrespect. Odysseus was able to put his revenge on the suitors when he found the opportunity after finding a way to disguise himself that way to gain trust from his people in his home.

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The issue of gun ownership has been mentioned for many times. The greatest reason of it is that many people are worried about their safety, and carrying firearm is one of the most certain way to keep their safety. Korean National Police Agency (2016) stated that the three most common places which frequently occur violent crimes during 2011-2014 were street, Apartment, and detached house. This statistics implies that recently serious offences such as murder or robbery were arisen in ordinary spaces. People would concern about protecting their lives from various attacks, and some people might think that the gun ownership need to be allowed in Korea.

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