Thoughtfulness In The Odyssey

Kailee Paquin

Cassie Wendt - 3

Odyssey Essay

June 9, 2023 Tamora Pierce once said “It's not just children who need heroes.” and that is why readers still need and read mythology today. Specifically, readers need heroes who are thoughtful, altruistic and consider the consequences of their actions. Such is the case with the Odyssey, an epic poem written by Homer that shows Odysseus the main character trying to get back home from the Trojan War. Nevertheless, the main traits of a hero are bravery, thoughtfulness, and courage. Odysseus does show recklessness, rashness, and crudeness in this epic poem. In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey it is undoubtedly clear Odysseus is not a hero, because he shows poor judgment, is irresponsible, and is

Poor judgment means or refers to the inability to make appropriate decisions. Odysseus and his crew found themselves in a Cyclops cave, and his crew wanted to leave and take his belongings, but Odysseus wanted to stay and see “The Caveman”. One occasion where poor judgment is evident is when Odysseus says “Ah, how sound that was! Yet I refused. I wished to see the “cave-man”, what he had to offer-no pretty sight, it turned out, for my friends”(Homer 968). His crew wanted to take the “cave-mans” possession from the cave and leave but Odysseus wanted to meet the “caveman”and it cost him. The Phrase “how sound that was”(Homer 968), so this phrase shows that Odysseus's crew wanted to leave but Odysseus wanted to stay and meet the caveman. So the trait of poor judgment is something you don’t want to see a lot of in a hero, so in this case it can pose a threat to others around odysseus because he is the crew

Irresponsibility means showing a proper sense of responsibility. They found themselves near an island and Odysseus was warned not to go there, but his crew went anyway he tried to stop his crew, but he turned out to be a failure. One instance of irresponsibility is seen when Odysseus states “I had forewarning from Tiresias and circle to both told me I must shun this island of the sun, the world's delight. Pull away, then, and put the island astern” (Homer 986). And he could not stop his crew. Odysseus was warned not to go to the island but his crew went anyways. To start with the Phrase “forwarning from Tiresias and Circe too” (Homer 986). Odysseus is showing how irresponsible he is when he can’t even stop his crew. Another part of this is irresponsible is one specific trait you do not want in a hero because it could be very bad in the end for