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Odysseus's Heroic Values In The Odyssey

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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] …show more content…

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

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288 Words | 2 Pages

Last but not least, Odysseus and I show confidence in lots of different ways. During the Odyssey, Odysseus is put into many situations where most people would just hang their head and give up. However, he stayed pretty positive. First, after Odysseus and his men escaped from the cyclopes by making a huge wooden spear then they “rammed it straight in his crater eye” (906) Once Odysseus was safe on his ship, he started yelling back to the Cyclops, “tell [them] Odysseus, raider of the cites, took you eye”. He had no problem with owning up to what he did.

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166 Words | 1 Pages

On Island #3 in Homer’s The Odyssey, the epic hero trait that Odysseus displays is being clever. Odysseus and 12 of his men go into a cave on Kyklopes Island. The cave is owned by Polyphemus, the kyklopes. Odysseus and his men are trapped in the cave and Odysseus comes up with a very clever idea.

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1116 Words | 5 Pages

In achieving a set goal one may be overcome by pride, feeling as if they are superior. The self assurance of finally completing something boosts ones self righteousness. Homer presents this in The Odyssey, as the protagonist, Odysseus, becomes overwhelmed with pride on several occasions. His actions are ultimately the cause for the loss of his crew and his prolonged absence from Penelope. Odysseus displays hubris, which is excessive pride and self-confidence, upon landing on the island of the Cicones, his encounter with the Cyclops, and the way in which he looks down on his crew.

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349 Words | 2 Pages

When people envision a hero, they assume a hero is how they are in the movies: supernatural, magical, and powerful. Through Odysseus’s reactions to the complications during his given quest, Odysseus shows that there is more than one way someone could be labeled as a hero as he ventures into his journey. To express his heroic qualities, Odysseus acts intelligently. He is constantly a quick decision maker, he lies at the correct times, and he is “a man of twists and turns” (Cyclops 606). Even when Odysseus and his men are panicking and want to escape the cave, Odysseus, thinking quickly, offers the Cyclops to “try some wine” (Cyclops 608).

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335 Words | 2 Pages

In The Odyssey there are many characters who could be defined as a hero. Odysseus is not one of these characters due to his loose morals leading him to be disloyal and have impulsive behavior. Throughout Odysseus’ journey home, he exhibits his loose morals as he is disloyal. Odysseus and Calypso make love one last time after receiving the news from Mt. Olympus that it is time for Odysseus to leave. Homer says, “And now, withdrawing into the cavern’s deep recesses, long in each other’s arms they lost themselves in love” (Homer 5.250-251).

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997 Words | 4 Pages

A hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. Anyone who puts themselves before others not for recognition or an award, but because it is the right thing to do, is a true hero. In "The Odyssey," written by Homer is an epic poem about a man named Odysseus and his crewmates competing against the power of the gods to return to their homeland, Ithaca. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus.

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1080 Words | 5 Pages

The first quality a hero must display is courage. Second, a hero must be intelligent and understand the workings of the world. Finally, a hero must be a leader, someone who can bring forth the best in others. On numerous occasions, Odysseus demonstrates his courage, intelligence and leadership

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373 Words | 2 Pages

His actions prove that he is courageous because although he knew of the danger ahead he decided to proceed. Self discipline, just like courage, is a strength that was continuously shown by Odysseus in the selection in which he reveals himself to his son. For instance,  it is stated in lines 1124-1128 of page 599, “If they make fun of me in my own courtyard, let your ribs cage up your springing heart, no matter what I suffer if they pull me by the heels or practise shots at me, to drive me out.” This quote helps one understand why Odysseus could be categorized as disciplined by illustrating a way in which Odysseus’ self-discipline was enhanced, after all, not all people would be able to control their emotions after being humiliated in their

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865 Words | 4 Pages

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.

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199 Words | 1 Pages

The Odyssey and The Outliers portray that perseverance is essential to living a happy and successful life because conflicts are overcome and dreams are followed. Some will argue that overcoming conflicts does not take perseverance; However, in The Odyssey, after Odysseus and his men defeat the cyclops, Odysseus gives his men a pep talk to help encourage and inspire them. When Odysseus says, [“by courage, council and intelligence, we escape away”](210-211). He is reminding his men that they persevered through the trials they faced against the cyclops.

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811 Words | 4 Pages

In the Odyssey by Homer, one heroic trait that Odysseus shows his preeminence which articulates the Greek cultural value of leading your men to victory. For example, the theme is made apparent when Odysseus visualizes “Bow to stem, trying to put heart into them, standing over every oarsmen, gently” (782, book 12). This shows that Odysseus knows his men can overcome the fear of dying and can save themselves. This is important because Odysseus’ trait is guidance and he strongly portrays that.

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1332 Words | 6 Pages

Heroism, tends to be difficult to define and remarkably ambiguous in literary works. In the Odyssey, however, Homer clearly defines a hero as a humble, determined, and loyal individual; thus, according to Homer, it is not enough to claim to be a hero, but it is also important to exhibit those qualities that Homer values as heroism. Odysseus, despite claiming heroism, upholds these traits inconsistently, as seen in his taunting of Polyphemus. In contrast, Telemachus, Odysseus’ overlooked son, dramatically grows up over the course of the epic and ultimately reveals his truly heroic qualities by the end of the poem. Thus, because Odysseus claims to be a hero, but fails to remain humble, determined, and loyal throughout the epic, he is not a hero.

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591 Words | 3 Pages

Just as Achilles is confronted in the Iliad with the problem of balancing his honor with his pride, Odysseus repeatedly faces situations in which self-restraint and humility must check bravado and glory-seeking. In his early adventures, he fails these tests, as when he taunts Polyphemus, inflaming Poseidon. As the epic progresses, Odysseus becomes increasingly capable of judging when it is wise to reveal himself and when it is appropriate to rejoice in his

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574 Words | 3 Pages

Odysseus was a man of great stature and strength; however, Odysseus was not only physically strong, but mentally strong as well (Olson). We can see Odysseus’ mental strength, or cunning, and bravery when he is in the den of Polyphemus and devises the plan to save him and his crew by calling himself nobody and stabbing out the cyclops’ eye. He also recognizes that he

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541 Words | 3 Pages

Odysseus is an epic hero because of his bravery and confidence during every obstacle throughout his journey In Part 1 whie Odysseus is about to come across cyclops cave, he says “I brought along and victuals in a bag, for in my bones I knew some towering brute would be upon so soon- all outward power, a wild man, ignorant of civility. “ Odysseus is showing his bravery of not being petrified of what he might come across, like the cyclops. Odysseus has no intention of harming them, but he is not sure what their intention is. This example is important because not only does it show confidence in himself, he also shows confidence in his men. In Part 2 Odysseus also shows his confidence in his men in part 2 where Eurylochus says, “Are you flesh and blood, Odysseus, to endure more than a man can?

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