How Is Odysseus An Epic Hero

Submitted By Beccacoyote
Words: 483
Pages: 2

Monica Mulligan
Odysseus is an epic hero because he undertakes tasks no one else dare attempts, and because he takes a long journey and barely makes it home alive. In Homer’s, The Odyssey, we are introduced to Odysseus, the, main character. Napoleon once said, “True heroism consists in being superior to the ills of life, in whatever shape they may challenge us to combat”. Napoleons quote is relative to the odyssey because Odysseus overcame any challenge that stood in his way so that he could get home. Odysseus is an epic hero because he takes on tasks no one else dare attempt. There was a Cyclops that Odysseus had tried to get because they were trapped. “A wineskin full I brought along, and victual in a bag, for in my bones I knew some towering brute would be upon us soon – all outward power, a wild man, ignorant of civility.” Odysseus was fighting the Cyclops because he and his men were trapped inside Polythemus’ cave and they needed to get home. Odysseus was not a very big fan of the Cyclops. “Cyclops have no muster, and no meeting, no consultation or old tribal ways, but each one dwells in his own mountain cave dealing put justice to wife and child indifferent to what others do.” Odysseus didn’t like Cyclops because Poseidon was his father, so he wanted to hurt him. After he had escaped, he had a very tough time getting home. Odysseus was trying to get home after his journey, from the Trojan War. He was going through many hardships on his way home, like Charybdis, A giant whirlpool that would try to take the ships in. “But when she swallowed the sea water down, we saw the funnel of the maelstrom, heard the rock bellowing all around, and dry sand on the bottom far below. My men all blanched against the gloom,