Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's Odyssey

Words: 422
Pages: 2
Open Document
A hero, everyone has someone they know or cherish who is a hero to them. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is no hero. Yes, he might have fought bravely, but he had only fought one war and was considered a hero. Also, Odysseus is not considered a hero. He was not very responsible on his way home from Troy. Odysseus had been sidetracked and ended up going a total distance of 5,270 miles. A 5,000 plus mile trip takes approximately 32 days on a boat. With this information, it tells the readers that a twenty-year trip could have taken 32 days. Odysseus was on the boat for ten years; the Trojan War had lasted ten years. Soon after the war, Odysseus wandered the coastal plains of the Mediterranean until finally returning home to Ithaca. In like manner, Odysseus had let the Queen and King of Phaeacians spoil him with gifts. The only reason they had done that is in Greek Mythology, the gods had set an important rule everyone must follow. This rule has the hospitality, hospitality means to be friendly and generous to many people, whether they are strangers, visitors, or just guest. If Odysseus were so focused to get home, he could have turned down the gifts and had the ship prepared and left that day. Not only did Odysseus take these kind donations, he had not returned …show more content…
Someone in this argument would most likely say he had fought bravely. He did keep him men safe during the terrible battle. He not only fought in Troy, but on his way home he had to go up against Polyphemus, The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis. That takes much courage for someone who ranges from about 43-50 years old. In my defense, this side is wrong. The reason that is wrong is Odysseus did not fight the Cyclops, or Polyphemus, bravely. If he were so brave and courageous, he would not have gotten the Cyclops drunk and stabbed his eye with a steak while he was sleeping. If we were so brave, why didn’t he finish
Show More

Related Documents: Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's 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