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The Heroic Journey Of Odysseus As An Epic Hero

733 Words3 Pages

Joshua Virzi
Ms. Hicks
9 CP1 English
27 March, 2023
The Greek epic poem, The Odyssey, showcases the heroic journey of Odysseus, who is known as an "epic hero," a person of noble birth whose accomplishments are brought about by his traits and skills. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is an ideal hero and embodies various traits that define heroic individuals in Greek culture. This essay examines the heroic characteristics of our protagonist, the personal weaknesses that Odysseus must overcome, and ultimately, the importance of Odysseus' strength of character compared to the favor of the gods that he sometimes receives.
One of the primary traits that define Odysseus as a hero is his intelligence and nature. As Homer writes, "Odysseus’ sharpness of mind …show more content…

These characteristics are evident when Odysseus faces the dangers of the sea with determination to make it back home to Ithaca. As Homer writes, "Thus the hero agitated, wrestling with land and sea, / but even so, he persevered, hauling his heart into flight" (Book 5, lines 141-142). In Book 12, despite his crew's protest, he bravely sails them past the Sirens' song, Scylla, and Charybdis, which are known for their destructive nature. His display of courage and bravery on this journey showcases his heroism and his commitment to returning …show more content…

One of his main weaknesses is his pride, which often leads him into trouble. In Book 9, Odysseus reveals his real name to Polyphemus, which leads to him being cursed by the cyclops. In Book 10, Odysseus' pride causes him to lose most of his crew members when he decides to explore the island of Aeolus to see what gifts Zeus had given him. As Homer writes, "But I slept in the halls of Circe how else would / the steadfast Odysseus have seen the daylight?" (Book 12, lines 47-48). Odysseus' imprudence shows how his pride can sometimes cause him to missteps along his

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