...A hero is typically a man who is admired and idealized for courage , outstanding achievements , or noble qualities.In the story the Odysses , however Odyssesus is not a hero he was faced by many greek gods in his journey to get back home. No , Odysseus is not a modern day hero , many people think hes a hero , but they dont know what his actions had on other people.My first piece of evidende of why he isnt a hero is because, when him and his men ran into the Cyclops and he was eating them he didnt do anything to save them.”He’ll smash our heads and our timbers together”.(Homer 669)The quote supports my evidence of why Odysseus is not a hero , because it proves that he didn't save them when they were being killed. The second piece of evidence...
Words: 334 - Pages: 2
...Waiting for grade I believe Odysseus is not a hero in modern day standards because heroes in modern day standards wouldn't make decisions such as Odysseus does in the odyssey. Odysseus makes some bad mistakes and confrontations most heroes today would prevent and avoid. Most heroes today have made mistakes but Odysseus has made many. Is Odysseus a hero using modern day standards? No, but in some ways he can be. I strongly believe that Odysseus is not a hero in today's standards because he was not very worthy to his men and/or team this is demonstrated when he encounters the cyclops, Polyphemus for example. This is shown when Odysseus basically watches a couple of his men get eaten by this gargantuan beast and doesn't try to slay it. Afterwards he does stab it's eye with a giant log but he didn't do anything directly after the dreadful murdering.they get away and even after he has blinded the cyclops, he is taunting it on his way off of the island and puts his men in even more danger because Polyphemus is hurling boulders at the ship and nearly hits it multiple times....
Words: 432 - Pages: 2
...In the words of Christopher Reeve, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” A hero doesn’t have to save the world from a world wide mass destruction like superman. They also don’t have to be male. In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, the main character Odysseus and real life modern day hero Razia Jan model what a good hero really is. Odysseus and Razia Jan reveal how a good hero is someone who can overcome obstacles because it exhibits determination, inner courage, and selflessness. A good hero has the determination to keep moving even when there are hardships along the way. Through his entire journey Odysseus is being thrown into danger and terrifying situations nonstop....
Words: 899 - Pages: 4
...Throughout human history, society has put standards for what is known as a hero, and just as society puts standards, so do authors. Homer did such a thing when writing the epic poem The Odyssey, where he exhibits through the main character Odysseus’ certain actions that portray what current society believed a hero is meant to be. However time goes on and ideals change, and so does society. In current day society, Odysseus would not be a worthy example of an epic hero in the twenty-first century. This unworthiness can be witnessed by his destructive, blood-thirsty, and dishonest behavior portrayed throughout the story. Blood and chaos is the result of Odysseus’ destructive behavior, and being so, he is not a worthy example of a hero today....
Words: 1070 - Pages: 5
...An epic hero is a larger-than-life figure who undertakes great journeys and performs deeds requiring remarkable strength and cunning. In the “Odyssey” by Homer, Odysseus is a man who is traveling home to Ithaca after 10 years until the end of the Trojan War and comes upon many thrilling, dangerous adventures along the way. The heroic traits of Odysseus in “The Odyssey” by Homer can be compared to those of three contemporary heroes. An epic hero shows courage. Odysseus shows courage when risks his own life to visit Tiresias, a blind prophet, in the underworld. Circe, the witch of the land of Aeolus, informs Odysseus that he must visit the underworld and hear “ … a prophecy from the ghost of Tiresias.” Odysseus, familiar with the idea that he might not be able to return back to Earth,...
Words: 758 - Pages: 4
...that “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Throughout time, a hero has represented an individual who sacrifices himself for a cause greater than themselves. Odysseus the protagonist from The Odyssey faces many hardships for his country returning home from the Trojan War. Martin Luther King faces a similar struggle through his fight for the equal rights of African Americans. In addition to the evolution of society, the definition of a hero has evolved, valuing different characteristics. Despite the obstacles both men face, through comparing Dr. King and Odysseus, one can see that contemporary society values selflessness,...
Words: 927 - Pages: 4
...genre, therefore it gives the piece of work a feeling of transcendetality. Two great authors from the Western civilization that take part of a modern literary culture that is characterized for its epic stories and epic characters that follow along the definition of an epic hero. An epic hero is a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events. Dante’s Aligheri’s Inferno and Homer’s The Odyssey respectively have two characters that fulfill what is like to be recognized as a brave and noble character. Throughout both poems, we can see how each character has unique qualities that make them outstand and set them up as a leader, but at the same time, they have the flaws of any human being. It is clear when a character overcomes the status of any human being and sets the lead as a hero. An important trait of an epic hero is the fact that starts a journey; it may be of a personal matter, such as Dante, or of societal matter, like Odysseus. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is a war hero travelling home after a period of twenty years. In this epic, Odysseus is brought out as a hero with superhuman courage. In most cases, he has been shown fighting with supernatural forces. One characteristic of this journey that is different from Dante is that the hero in this epic fights against external forces. Odysseus faces many challenges while traveling home. To begin with, he is cast on an island that is surrounded by waters. Some situations appear to...
Words: 2145 - Pages: 9
...apply to heros of now. From fictional heroes such as superman or real heros such as Nelson Mandela; both went through hardships. Superman lost his civilization and faced many difficulties when he was transferred to earth. Nelson Mandela faced the racism that took grip of Africa causing his rise to power to be a long and enduring journey. Even old heros of ancient times faced hardships making them the legends they are remembered as. In The Odyssey by Homer, the brave hero Odysseus, was loved by the people of ancient Greece. He goes through many hardships after winning the war at Troy....
Words: 1315 - Pages: 6
...The Odyssey Heroism Essay Heroes serve many purposes. The Odyssey by Homer is an epic about Odysseus’ voyage home from the Trojan War, to his homeland of Ithaca. During Odysseus’ voyage home he faces many struggles due to a curse put on him by the god Poseidon; on request from Poseidon's son, a cyclops, who Odysseus blinded. Throne of Glass written by Sarah J. Maas is a novel about an assassin named Celaena Sardothien, who is competing to become the king's personal assassin. Celaena must destroy the evil that is hidden in the castle. The examination of Odysseus and Celaena suggests that heroes are needed throughout the ages to be role models who provide an example of thoughtfulness and focus. Heroes use thoughtfulness to help them overcome...
Words: 932 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 2317 - Pages: 10
...Odysseus a hero or not In his epic poem, “The Odyssey”, Homer introduces a greek hero by the name of Odysseus who is tried many times throughout the series. Human nature is the sum of all human traits, this includes the flaws of life and humanity. Odysseus demonstrates these particular flaws throughout his adventures. When Odysseus is "stuck between Charybdis and Scylla," he chooses to tell his men nothing about the impending doom above, because the danger of his men becoming panicked and thus putting the ship in danger. Instead, he says nothing, hid himself below, and allowed 6 men to die at his hands. This proves him to be self centered and cowardly. Odysseus is constantly weighed down by nature's power over human life. Fear and lack of...
Words: 431 - Pages: 2
...Comparative analysis Gilgamesh and Odysseus Nikki Porter Hum Cultures 111 (world cultures 1) Professor Monique Baucham Strayer University Comparative Analysis: Gilgamesh and Odysseus This is a comparative analysis between two hero’s Gilgamesh and Odysseus who are two heroes from two different time periods that were both in search of the meaning of life. The epics that the two characters are featured in Gilgamesh, was developed from early Mesopotamia and the Odyssey in early Greece. Gilgamesh was a very popular and it was very valuable to the historian of Mesopotamian culture because it reveals much about the religious world, such as their attitudes toward the gods, how a hero was defined and regarded, views about death and friendship. Comparative analysis Gilgamesh and Odysseus This comparative analysis is that of Gilgamesh and Odysseus who were both historical hero’s. Gilgamesh who lived from 2700 BC-2620 BC he died in uruk. Gilgamesh compared to Odysseus Gilgamesh, the hero from the epic Gilgamesh, was the historical king of Uruk in Babylonia, on the river Euphrates in modern Iraq: he lived about 2700B.C. Odysseus, the hero from the epic the Odysseus, was the ruler of the island kingdom of Ithaca. He was one of the most prominent Greek leaders of the Trojan War. Both of these men were equipped with certain strengths, the difference in their strengths were Gilgamesh had physical, while Odysseus had mental strengths. Gilgamesh was a very self-confident and at times...
Words: 1072 - Pages: 5
...Penelope, Epic Heroine During Ancient Greece, when women were seen as property, Penelope, Odysseus’ wife in The Odyssey, stands out as a woman beyond that claim. In Odysseus’ 20 year absence, she reigns over Ithaca, creatively staves off suitors, and raises a son, Telemachus, all while being faithful and devoted to him. Many of these obligations are not unlike what modern women grapple with. However, what sets Penelope apart is that she is accomplishing them at a time when women were seen as property and unable to have reigning duties. "The hero is the man or woman who has been able to battle past his personal and local historical limitations” (Campbell). Because of Penelope’s success in the face of adversity, she is a true heroine. Although inundated with suitors, she maintains her heroic loyalty to Odysseus in his absence. Contrastingly, her cousin, Clytemnestra, is unfaithful to her husband, Agamemnon, while he is fighting the Trojan War alongside Odysseus. Penelope knows that it is not conventional or acceptable to remain unmarried if one’s husband is considered dead, but her deep love and devotion to Odysseus keeps her inventing new means to avoid marrying any of the suitors. Because she is born to a prince and holds the royalty title, and anyone she marries will become King of Ithaca. For that reason, Penelope does not have to fear the same fate as Andromache, Hector’s wife in The Iliad. Hector was of royal blood, but Andromache was not; therefore, upon his...
Words: 705 - Pages: 3
...Harshita Saha Mrs. Evard Lit/Writ, Period 6 13 April 2017 Prompt 1 Broken Heroes Although there are a lot of people in modern society to whom the general definition of a Hero applies to, the concept of a Hero has disappeared as people are finding it increasingly difficult to name their Heroes because they have been deceived countless times. While it is true that numerous people fit in the description of being considered Heroic, ultimately, they are not being recognized due to society’s fixed perspective of what can be called true Heroism. Therefore, it is the ignorance towards human nature present in Heroes and not faults in Heroes themselves that is largely responsible for the diminishing of such idealism. Society has come...
Words: 1531 - Pages: 7
...those from thousands of years ago, like the Ancients Greeks, used heros to share their values. The Greeks saw Homer’s Odysseus as an war hero because of his cunning and great battle skills. His legend still lives on today as people around the world learn about the myths of Odysseus. In more recent times, many people appreciate the work of Malcolm X for his heroic fight against injustice and his tremendous speaking ability. His monumental speeches impact the thoughts and shape the ideals of many activists that advance in the fight for social justice. In Homer’s The Odyssey and Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet”, both heroes convey great strength in their battles through Odysseus’s surviving the hurricane sent from Poseidon, Malcolm X’s clear portrayal of the injustices in America, and both heroes willingness while staying persistent and achieve justice. Homer conveys Odysseus’s strength through his survival of the hurricane from Poseidon. For example, while Odysseus struggles to stay alive during the storm, “he’d not forget his craft-- he lunged after...
Words: 1033 - Pages: 5
