Heroes are expected to have certain character traits that help them through each step of their journey, but what traits make a hero a hero? By comparing two heroes, Odysseus from The Odyssey and Mary Seacole, a Crimean War nurse, one can discover three important traits that all heroes should possess. Heroes should be brave so they are able to do what needs to be done in the face of danger. Heroes should also be determined so that they will not give up when things get difficult for them. Finally, heroes need to be mentally strong so they can avoid temptation and think of a solution when they are in a dilemma. Odysseus and Mary Seacole are two heroes who possess all three of these traits. Odysseus is a fictional character from the epic The Odyssey…show more content… Odysseus is mentally strong because even after twenty years he never gives up hope that he will return home to his family and he has the willpower to resist temptations from Circe and Calypso. He is also able to keep a level head in difficult situations so that he can come up with a solution. In Book 9, Odysseus and his men are trapped by the Cyclops Polyphemus after they obtrusively try to steal some milk and cheese. This is yet another trial Odysseus must endure during the initiation stage of a hero’s journey. Odysseus "[keeps] on puzzling to think how [he] could best save [his] own life and those of [his] companions.” He thinks long and hard, knowing "that his life depends upon it, for the danger was very great,” but he doesn’t let the impending doom distract him (“The Odyssey Book IX”). He keeps a level head and uses his guile to think of, and execute, a successful plan to get them out of Polyphemus' lair. Like Odysseus, Mary Seacole is also mentally strong. Being both of mixed race origins and a female, she faced a lot of discrimination, but she never let it bother her. In response to one American's comment, she claimed that "if [her skin] had been as dark as a nigger’s, [she] should have been just as happy and useful,” as well as “respected by those whose respect [she] values,” showing everyone that she was proud of her heritage and didn’t care what anyone thought of her (“Mary Seacole Biography”). Many people would have let danger or mean comments distract them from their goals, but Odysseus and Mary Seacole never let anything deter them from achieving their
