Odysseus: A Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

Words: 902
Pages: 4
Open Document
Over the time humans have always had heroes. Whether they be fictional heroes or human heroes. Some of these traits a hero has, Odysseus simply doesn’t have. In The Odyssey there are a lot of moments when Odysseus has a chance to show his true character traits. In most of these moments, Odysseus tries to get himself out first, then the rest of his crew. In The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus should not be considered a hero. This should be the case because on numerous occasions he gets his men killed due to his pride in himself or his concern for his own safety over his men’s.
Odysseus pride gets his crew killed multiple times throughout The Odyssey. A prime example of this is when Odysseus and his crew could escape the cyclops without …show more content…
Too many times throughout the story Odysseus sends his men ahead to scout out the island while he hangs back at the ship in safety. An example of this is when they arrive on Circe’s island and Odysseus sends half of his men ahead to scout out the island. “The lot of brave Eurylochus leapt out first. So he moved out with his two and twenty comrades,” (Homer 236. 226-227). This is showing Odysseus is just throwing his men out there for his own personal safety. When only one of the crew comes back with danger as the only report, Odysseus is still alive and half of his crew is gone. Another example is when they come to the land of the Lotus Eaters and Odysseus does not know what is on the island. So instead of him going himself to scout out the land, he sends two scouts ahead instead to see what’s on the island. Odysseus says “I sent a detail ahead, two picked men and a third, a runner to scout out who might live there,” (Homer 214. 99-101). Again Odysseus is safe and out of the way while his men are out in the unknown risking their lives. In both of these examples anyone could see whose life comes first in Odysseus’s life and that is his
Show More

Related Documents: Odysseus: A Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

Odysseus: The Heroic Hero Of Homer's The Odyssey

Homer’s The Odyssey follows the titular king of Ithaca, Odysseus. In the epic poem, Odysseus is returning home from fighting in the Trojan war. While on this journey home, Odysseus begins to show his true nature. Not to convinced by these so-called “heroics”. Homer’s “hero” Odysseus is nothing of the sort: he is an incompetent leader, prideful, unwise, and is not a hero. For a man with the title, “king of Ithaca” His leadership is not on par with that of someone held to such high esteem. In the…

Words 229 - Pages 1

Odysseus As An Epic Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

defines an epic hero. The main character of Homer's The Odyssey is a well-known example of this. Odysseus is a well-respected man and through his trials we see heroism shine through. Human characteristics depicted throughout the many trials Odysseus faced makes him an epic hero. Odysseus shows his cunningest the most throughout the book. The man of twists and turns tends to use his tricks and craftiness to get what he wants, however, that does not go as planned in the first trial. Odysseus becomes very…

Words 940 - Pages 4

Odysseus As A True Hero In Homer's Odyssey

In Homer’s epic The Odyssey, a hero is defined by extraordinary abilities that they possess throughout seemingly impossible situations. Odysseus is repeatedly in what appears to be knowing situations, and not only does he overcome them, but helps his family, his men, and himself. It is his loyalty to his friends, bravery, and clever strategies that allow him to be recognized as the true hero, and restore peace in Ithaca making his broken family whole again. Odysseus puts aside his personal needs…

Words 624 - Pages 3

Odysseus: The Tragic Hero Of Homer's Odyssey

the egotistical, selfish, and cunning Odysseus. Odysseus, although selfish, was brave and ventured all around the world in search of his home after he fought and won the Trojan War. The Odyssey was one of the first hero’s journey plot lines ever made and recorded, and so we get to see how Homer’s rendition of this fantastic journey represents this egotistical king as rightfully epic hero. It’s safe to say he went to hell and back, literally. Book 11 of the Odyssey states, “-and my neck was broken away…

Words 909 - Pages 4

Why Odysseus Is A Hero In Homer's Odyssey

heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed”. Odysseus is a character in Homer’s The Odyssey that during hard times does not demonstrate heroism. Odysseus is a zero because he is a horrid leader, he’s a fickle lover, and he is a prevaricator. Odysseus is the most horrid of leaders. Before he even gets home his whole crew dies because he fails to show how important it is to listen to him. Take a look at what Circe tells Odysseus, “Leave the beasts unharmed, your mind set…

Words 1122 - Pages 5

Odysseus As The Modern Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

Oftentimes, when the word “hero” is mentioned or thought of, the attributes of strength, bravery, and superhuman powers automatically come to mind. However, this concept of a hero is old. In modern days, the definition of a hero has changed from a superhuman figure, to a person who possesses the traits of selflessness and forgiveness. In Homer's well known epic, The Odyssey, he portrays the out of date idea of an epic hero as a figure who was helped or harmed by the gods and contains superhuman strength…

Words 589 - Pages 3

Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's Odyssey

Is Odysseus a hero in the Odyssey? In the Epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus is traveling back from the Trojan War. He has to fight creatures and travel to several different islands to get back to his kingdom in Ithaca. Odysseus fights a cyclops when he is going to the several islands. I think Odysseus is a hero when he fights the cyclops. When Odysseus travels to the cyclops’ island, he and his men intrude his cave. His crew eats his food and drinks his wine. The cyclops then comes in and he barricades…

Words 308 - Pages 2

Odysseus: The Hero Of Homer's Odyssey

People who are considered heroes are usually those who display attributes that a particular society values. Although Odysseus is considered the hero of the Odyssey, many with a more contemporary worldview question why he is the hero after examining his blatantly obvious flaws. One of Odysseus’s major flaws is his double standard for chasteness. While Odysseus travels back to his family in Ithaca, he has relations with many women; yet, he expects his wife to remain completely dedicated to him despite…

Words 293 - Pages 2

Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's Odyssey

vividly as Odysseus finds his way home. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus faces many gods and monsters that force him to make quick decisions to escape difficult situations. He is a Trojan War hero who has disappeared from Ithaka for 30 years. Odysseus is sent on a lengthy journey in order to return home and encounters extreme danger along the way. Odysseus’ ability to navigate treacherous situations and outsmart his enemies is what makes him such a powerful icon in Greek mythology. Odysseus utilized…

Words 1248 - Pages 5

The Hero Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

the main hero of an epic is supposed to be seen as an unstoppable person, due to their fallible nature, they are not perfect and do have flaws that further put them in danger. This is no exception for Odysseus, the hero in the epic, The Odyssey. In this novel, he is seen as a powerful king whose name alone is respected among all. However, as mentioned before, he is prone to demonstrating the negative aspects in his personality, putting himself and others around him in danger. While Odysseus can be…

Words 641 - Pages 3