...The epic poem, the Odyssey, by Homer tells the adventures of the epic hero Odysseus. Though they have human frailties, an epic hero possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence and also overcomes perilous situations. In book 9 of the Odyssey, Odysseus demonstrates several of these characters as he escapes from the Cyclops Polyphemus. The epic hero Odysseus demonstrates intelligence, bravery, and cleverness. One quality of an epic hero that Odysseus possesses is that he is intelligent. The Cyclops asks Odysseus where he left his ship, inquiring it was around the point or by the shore. Odysseus sees through the question and responds, “it broke up on the rocks at your lands end” (189). Odysseus does not want the Cyclops to find...
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...king of Ithaca, left his home to fight for Greece and along his journey he faced many hardships, but he conquered them all. The Odyssey written by Homer, tells the story of Odysseus’ journeys and how he made it through these hardships to regain his kingdom, and to be reunited with his wife, Penelope. The Odyssey was a thrilling and suspenseful story that keeps you wondering how Odysseus will conquer these hardships, and bring him and his men safely back to Ithaca. From escaping Calypso with the help of Athena, to fighting the cyclops Polyphemus, Odysseus had to be a strong leader to help his men overcome these journeys. Odysseus was an epic hero because he was intelligent, brave, and he was a strong responsible leader. Odysseus was an epic hero because he was very intelligent. One of the many journeys that he and his men had to face was with Polyphemus. While Polyphemus slept Odysseus courageously stabbed him in the eye, in order for him to open the heavy door...
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...Homer, author of the Odyssey, identifies Odysseus as an epic hero through the way the main character faces supernatural forces throughout his treacherous journey back home. Polyphemus, one of the giant one-headed giants, closes the entrance of the cave and eats many of Odysseus’ shipmates, making it more difficult to escape. Homer illustrates that the cyclops had, “…clutched at my companions and caught two in his hands like squirming puppies to beat their brains out…and made his meal…everything: innards, flesh, and marrow bones…” (Homer 765). Not only did Polyphemus harm the shipmates by squeezing their brains out, but he shoved them down his throat as if they were a small snack. Odysseus must face the fact that many of his loyal companions cannot join him...
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...In the Odyssey, Odysseus is the epic hero and is the best hero in the story. Odysseus travels to Troy to fight in the war. On his way back from Troy he angers Poseidon and has to endure the punishment from poseidon which includes giant monsters, witches and many other threats. When he finally returns home he finds that his home is inhabited by suitors wishing for penelope's hand. Homer writes Odysseus so that there are many traits to support him as the epic hero. Odysseus is powered by how brave he is. This is a great trait for a hero to have because it helps them to discover new things and to find things that no one else would dare to find. An great example of this is when Odysseus found Scylla. Odysseus said ”Heads up lads! We must obey...
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...completed close-reading charts on “The Hero’s Adventure” and “The Hero’s Journey,” as well as your annotations from “The Odyssey” to complete this outline for your research simulation essay. 10 point classwork grade Introduction Hook Statement - Engage the reader with a compelling quote or question related to the topic How does the Hero’s journey structure contribute to the development of Odysseus’ character as an epic hero and aligns with his journey? Background Information - Provide necessary context about the topic and its significance In the Odyssey, Odysseus goes through many phases/challenges of which align with the “stages” in the Hero’s Journey. These...
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...In Homer's the odyssey there is a character named Odysseus. Odysseus goes on an amazing journey and along his way he goes through many things that mold him into an epic hero. Odysseus also proves his heroism through his behavior. During the story Odysseus often presents us with his great intelligence, his superhuman strength, and also his great leadership and bravery. However though Odysseus does not always act like a hero and does immoral things but when the time is right, the true heroic side of him will come out and we will see how heroic Odysseus really is. Odysseus is a true epic hero and has the the personal characteristics to prove it. Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus presents us with examples of his superhuman strength. That is characteristic...
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...According to Karen Hunter, in 1949, Joseph Campbell published “The Hero With A Thousand Faces” which is a book that introduces his creation of the monomyth (Hunter). A monomyth is the concept of a single tale or story. The tale or story represents a mythological adventure being magnified in the rites of passage. Also, the myth goes around in a cycle and is repeated with different social and cultural references throughout the world. Furthermore, Leeming explains that, “the monomyth itself is an expression of the journey of the hero figure, of our journey through physical and psychic life, and of the evolutionary path of humanity to full consciousness” (Leeming). Homer’s use of Joseph Campbell’s monomyth in the Odyssey seen with Odysseus, the hero and main character, provides a great structure throughout the epic in several ways. To begin, the monomyth in the Odyssey can be divided into 11 stages of the hero journey. The first stage that structures Homer’s epic is birth or the ordinary world. Odysseus is born to his father Laertes in Greece under no distinguished ancestry to boast of. Rasovsky stated, As Odysseus grew to be a young boy he showed signs of his talents which included archery (Rasovsky). Going further on with Rasovsky’s findings, Odysseus was intelligent, clever, and exhibited strength through his appearance (Rasovsky). In the Odyssey, Odysseus’s ordinary world is on the peaceful island of Ithaca. Odysseus is the well-loved and respected king of the island. He has...
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...Who do you think the grandest king is? Although some people would argue it is King Arthur others believe it to be Odysseus. Odysseus is the king of Ithaca in Homer's Odyssey. Both of these kings prove to be great but only Odysseus proves to be an epic hero. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus proves to be an epic hero due to his cunningness, resilience, and determination. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus proves to be an epic hero due to his cunningness. Odysseus shows he is cunning in how he constantly overcomes the challenges the Gods face him with. The narrator says “I crouched with my drawn sword to keep the surging phantoms from the bloody pit” (Beers and Odell 776). This proves Odysseus is cunning by showing he is knowledgeable in how sought...
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...The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer. The Odyssey is about the ten year journey of Odysseus trying to get home. He faces many challenges but eventually makes it back home. An epic poem must have a epic hero, plot, setting, archetypes, and themes. The Odyssey has all of these characteristics. The three that are the most present are epic plot, archetypes, and epic themes. Epic plot is a very present in The Odyssey. Epic plot consists of a long journey with many complcations. Throughout Odysseus’ long journey, he faces many challenges and peril. One instance of epic plot is that in the ninth book where Odysseus encounters the cyclops, Polyphemus. Polyphemus traps him inside his cave. Odysseus uses his intuition to get out of the cave. Another instance of epic plot is in the twenty-second book during the mass killing of the suitors. Divine intervention occurs on the behalf of Odysseus. “Athena’s presence becomes known to all, as the shape of her shield becomes visible above the hall” (1260,1261). Athena interferes by protecting Odysseus from the suitors’ arrows. Epic plot can also be...
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...After a vast hero had seen the remarkable birth of his child, he had embarked on a journey with his men to battle in a brutal and callous war. Embarking on his vast journey, he had left his faithful wife and newly born child to fight in a vicious war. The Odyssey is a Greek epic which captures the boundless journey of Odysseus, as he strives to return to Ithaca after battling in the Trojan War. Homer had been a prominent writer who had expressed the vast legends and myths of Greek gods and goddesses and captured Odysseus’ endless adventure, the challenges and temptations he had experienced throughout his journey, and the reflection of his most exceptional and imperfect qualities. As Odysseus had embarked on an endless journey filled with misery and agony, to battle in the Trojan War, he had been greatly praised and celebrated by many Ithacans and his homeland. However, although Odysseus had been greatly praised and portrayed as an outstanding individual and king throughout Homer’s epic, his actions and desires had undoubtedly reflected the worst qualities and aspects of his character. As Odysseus had embarked on his vast and extensive journey from Ithaca, he had been disloyal and faithless to his wife Penelope, who had been sincere, waiting years for his arrival...
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...Lord of the Rings and Modern Day Epic? Epic adventures are one of the oldest and most celebrated works of literature. These adventures paint pictures of larger-than-life heroes, terrifying battle scenes, and heroic triumphs. Most epics served the purpose of transmitting culture and history, as well as entertaining readers. Among classical epics are the well-known Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, and The Odyssey. However, is the epic adventure a dying breed of literature? Is it possible that epic stories have sustained the test of time and evolved over the centuries? The Lord of the Rings trilogy, including The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, is one of the greatest examples of a modern day epic. What do The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and The Lord of the Rings all have in common? They all share typical characteristics of epic adventures in some form or another. Though the motives and reasons may differ, the theme of journeying is common to all epic adventures. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, King Gilgamesh sets out on a perilous adventure with his closest friend Enkidu in order to find enduring fame and glory. In The Odyssey, the main character Odysseus embarks on a 10 year-long journey through trials and tests to find his way back home to his wife and son. Epic hero Achilles, of The Iliad, sets out to fight in the legendary Trojan War. Similarly, Frodo Baggins, unassuming hero of The Lord of the Rings, sets out from his home and...
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...Epic Hero Essay Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz is not an epic hero for many reasons. One of these reasons would be that she gets scared multiple times in the story. An epic hero should be fearless and not cowardly. An epic hero should be able to accomplish tasks on his or her own without others which she doesn’t do. When she faces big obstacles, she relies on others’ assistance. Dorothy is also a very static character. Epic heroes are usually dynamic and would change of a period of time in the story. Based on this, you can infer that Dorothy is not an epic hero in the Wizard of Oz. Most epic heroes are charged with a quest that they have to complete in order for them to return from their voyage. Dorothy’s quest is to follow a yellow brick...
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...A Tragic Hero vs. an Epic Hero A tragic hero is a character that makes a wrongful decision and at the end pays for it. His choice will cause tragic circumstances. On the other hand, an epic hero is a character that goes through difficulties along his journey, all of which end up making him stronger. Example of a tragic hero is seen in Oedipus de King by Sophocles and an epic hero is seen in the Odyssey by Homer. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is the epic hero who goes through so much in order to return home. It takes him 10 years to finally return home and in his adventure he encounters a nymph named Calypso who kidnaps him in her island and doesn’t let him go until she is ordered to do so by Zeus. He is almost killed by the Cyclops’ Polyphemus, but survives by using his cunningness. The greatest attribute of Odysseus is being smart because that is how he survives all the challenges presented and how he gets home safe while many of his men get killed in the act. “Yea, and if some god shall wreck me in the wine-dark deep, even so I will endure…For already I have suffered full much, and much have I toiled in perils of waves and wars. Let this be added to the tale of those.” (Homer V 18) Epic heroes are differentiated by other kind of heroes because they survive their journey by being smarter, stronger and braver than any other person. Oedipus the King in the other hand is a tragic hero because even when he is smart and strong his story still ends tragically. One of his greatest...
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...the Odyssey, the Iliad, and the Mahabharata is to compare how these exiles were brought upon the heroes and the consequences when the hero returns to society. The difference between the Mahabharata and the other three epics, is that the exile of the Kuravas was imposed on them by others. Though Yudhisthira is technically the only one in the family who brought it upon himself by playing the crooked dice game. For the most part, the exile of the Kuravas is not self-imposed. This is very different to the exiles seen in the western epics. In the Iliad, Achilles exiles himself for feeling shamed by Agamemnon, he chooses not to fight and instead have hundreds of his countrymen die. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh chooses to abandon his kingdom for an unplanned amount of time on a search for immortality somewhere in nature because of Enkidu’s death. Both Achilles and Gilgamesh exile themselves because of strong feelings they get. The exile of Odysseus is about brought on by himself, by making Poseidon extra mad, not leaving Calypso’s Island, among other transgressions against the gods....
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...What makes a poem epic? By mere definition, something epic is stated to be significant/impactful ancient history, passed down for generations. Such poems that completely fulfill this conception are, “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” by N. K Sandars and “Homer, The Odyssey” by Robert Fitzgerald. Both can be found primarily written in the form of ancient characters and even inscribed on old tablets! Both extensive, drawn out poems of godlike heroes people can easily look up to with extremely high regard. Such long drawn out poems are rare, for most poems we come across in our lives are very brief. A prolonged poem that can actually tell a grand story as good as a novel can, and is legendary in time can only be described as an epic poem. In addition, awesome themes can be pointed out that give poems that much...
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