One of the reasons those people might say that is because Odysseus has a hero’s key traits: he was loyal, compassionate, and cunning. Odysseus was loyal to his family by trying his best to get home and succeeding. Compassion was shown by Odysseus when he was patient while plotting against the Trojans. Last but not least Odysseus was cunning when he defeated the Cyclops in the cave whilst escaping.
One bad decision that Odysseus was made when he decided to sail towards Scylla and Charybdis when he could have sailed the other option, “One ship alone, one deep-sea craft sailed clear,/ the Argo sung by the world, when heading home/ from Aeetes’ shores” (12. 76-78). This quote shows that there was one ship that sailed past the Clashing Rocks unharmed. Odysseus could have chosen to sail this path, but he didn’t. A real hero would have taken the route that wouldn’t have killed any of his crew like the route with Scylla and Charybdis did.
The famous American president Calvin Coolidge once stated, “Heroism is not only in the man, but in the occasion.” In other words, a person may have heroic qualities but is not necessarily a hero, since the true indication of heroism in an individual is shown by his or her behaviors in different situations. In Odyssey by Homer, the protagonist Odysseus uses his godlike charm and cunning to return to his homeland, despite the fact that the mighty god Poseidon wishes that he never returns. Though Odysseus is developed as a character with heroic qualities, his use of said qualities within certain situations cause him to be portrayed as an antihero, as shown through his lack of control, self-centered actions, and excessive bloodshed.
Heroes are often thought of as very powerful and superhuman, but would someone be a hero if they led many men to their deaths? In the many parts of the story “The Odyssey” By Homer, Odysseus shows unheroic characteristics in several of his actions. Odysseus is the leader of Ithaca and he must go on a 20-year journey to arrive back home after fighting in the Trojan war. Odysseus and his men get stuck at several places for several years which elongates the journey. Odysseus is not a hero because he does several things to get his men hurt to help himself get home.
In addition to being loyal, he is also caring towards his crew. He exhibited this trait throughout the story as he” fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home.” (line 8-9 Pg. 981) As there are two sides of a coin there are two sides to numerous things and Odysseus’s traits are one of those things. There are many atrocious non-heroic traits Odysseus exhibited throughout the story.
According to Christopher Reeve, “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure despite overwhelming obstacles.” In The Odyssey, Odysseus tries to return to his home Ithaca from Troy but lets his pride get to him. Throughout the journey, he faces many obstacles because of his pride. Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus shows that he is not a hero because of his pride, arrogance, and emotions. Odysseus shows that he is not a hero when he takes pride in himself when he is about to leave the island of the Cyclops after blinding him.
Odysseus: My point of view Odysseus is seen to be a hero in Homer's Odyssey. While many would agree to that statement, I disagree. Odysseus traits of being egotistical, narcissistic and Standoffish hold him back from being a true hero Odysseus is egotistical.
The first reasons why Odysseus is a hero is because he risks his life for crew multiple times throughout the story. In the story, ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer, Odysseus and his crew sail to Aeaea, home
Odysseus is not a hero because he stabs Polyphemus in the eye and blinds him. Odysseus is still a hero because he is a leader. Moreover, after Odysseus and his men fight the Cicones, he orders ¨Back and Quickly! Out to sea again!” (Homer 984).
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.
“ A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Is the definition of a hero. In modern society, Odysseus is not a hero. Odysseus should not be considered a hero in modern day because he is not a good leader,Odysseus also does not have a good heart like heros should, and he was disloyal to his wife. One of the reasons Odysseus is not a hero is because he is selfish and does not care about other people's lives.
Although he never tried getting home to Penelope and Telemachus, he slept with so many women and goddesses along his way. While back at home, Penelope was very faithful. She had many young good-looking suitors at her door, she never slept with any of them, even when everyone said Odysseus was dead. Because Odysseus was not loyal to his wife shows he was not a very good man. He's not a "hero", the one thing he was meant to do was get back to his home
Third reason, when they met the Cyclop who lived in the cave, the Cyclop “caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out, splattering the floor” (Homer 275-280), Odysseus knew about them, but still decided to bring his crew mates into the cave. Which proves that he is not a hero because letting people in danger is not what a hero would do. Then later when he got the Cyclop drunk, he stabbed the Cyclop and escaped to his ship, but got cocky and revealed his real name, “tell him Odysseus, raider of cities took your eyes” (Homer 500), which provoked the Cyclop to put a curse on them, “let him lose all companions, and return under strange sail to bitter days at home” (Homer 535). A hero would never provoke
Some think Odysseus is a hero for many reasons, mainly because he helps many people including his family and his crew. Even when terrible things happen to him and his crew he perseveres and continues on his journey home. Even though Odysseus and his men do bad things like eating the sun god’s cattle there still are many reasons why he is a hero. One reason to support my claim is that he saves his crew many times. One example is when they sailed by the Sirens.
The Odyssey by Homer is a book that involves the Journey of Odysseus and his men and the Obstacles they come across. The Odyssey portrays many themes including vengeance, hospitality, courage, bravery and more. Odysseus experiences some good and bad during his journey. He comes across people who help him, but also comes across creatures who hold him back. Odysseus is an Epic hero because of his quick thinking skills, bravery, and confidence for himself and his men.
