Odysseus's Heroic Values In The Odyssey

Success reinforces heroic values because it builds one’s confidence in themselves. This is supported in The Odyssey, after Odysseus and his crew faced many trials, including one where Odysseus successfully got them out of a near death situation with the cyclops, Polyphemus, they had to face another one with Scylla and Charybdis. Before facing these two monsters, Odysseus inspired his crew by declaring, “When Cyclops penned us up in his vaulted cave...my courage, my presence of mind and tactics saved us all and we will live to remember this one day… up now, follow my orders,/ all of us work as one!” (Homer, 12. 228-231). Odysseus emphasizes his success when facing Polyphemus by stating that “[his] courage, [his] presence of mind and tactics saved [them]

This also shows his confidence in his ability to keep him and his men alive. Odysseus’ success with Polyphemus strengthens his certainty in himself, and makes him more courageous and brave when facing other obstacles. The more willing Odysseus is to risk his life as a result of these attributes, the more heroic he becomes. In addition, the article “ The Young and the Riskless” verifies the idea that having high self-esteem can lead to a more heroic person through its conclusion that “[people] who rated as high in self-efficacy… [took] additional risks” (Sukel , 48). People that are “high in self-efficacy” have been quite successful in their past experiences. Taking “additional risks” means having faith in oneself, and trusting themselves to accomplish their goals. People with high success rates are more likely to try challenging things because they believe in themselves, and are confident enough in their abilities to push themselves. These risks also add to the idea of heroism, as heroes are people who do extraordinary