...Killing a hundred eight men doesn't sound hero but in the case of Odysseus from the Odyssey, that's what happens. In Homer's epic poem the Odyssey the hero Odysseus Fill the spot of the hero, however, he does have anti- hero traits at times. Some epic hero Qualities he shows are abnormal abilities, tested on his quest, and restitution. According to the epic hero guideline, a hero must possess supernatural ability. Odysseus showed this in these quotes “He cut down twenty trees used his bronze axe to trim and is deftly smooth them then lined them up” and “by the fourth day he had completed all this work”. Odysseus also showed this ability When He swam for two days straight in a raging waters. Here is an example from the book on how bad the...
Words: 265 - Pages: 2
...Odyssey, written by Homer, the main character, Odysseus, had the leadership qualities one must possess to be an epic hero. People in general, always will follow a leader no matter what his or her characteristics are.An epic hero is defined as a human in the favor of the gods who is the main character in an epic poem, has larger than life qualities, goes on an adventure, leads a group of people, and has at least one flaw. All of these characteristics are what make a leader into an epic hero. Odysseus is was exactly what the definition states. There are so many things that can turn an ordinary person into an epic hero and Odysseus is a great example of this. One of the requirements an epic hero must have is the favor of the gods. Odysseus was in the favor of multiple gods and goddesses. Many of them gave him advice or things to help him along his journey. Hermes gave him a magical plant called, Moly, which would protect him from Circe’s drink. Athena was probably the goddess that helped him the most throughout his journey. She warns Odysseus about the suitors back home and helped him fight against them as well as the Trojans. Zeus went both ways about helping Odysseus, sometimes he did and sometimes he did not. The “omen” that Zeus sent when Odysseus faced the suitors is an example of Odysseus being in his favor. Aeolus, King of the Wind, also helped the epic hero. When Odysseus and his crew left the King’s island he gave Odysseus two parting gifts. One of them was a wind that...
Words: 973 - Pages: 4
...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...
Words: 652 - Pages: 3
...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...
Words: 1060 - Pages: 5
...and are able to sympathize with others. Odysseus, from the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, is a man who obtains these hero-like qualities. Unfortunately, he has been away from home for ten years due to the many obstacles he encountered on his journey back to his home island, Ithaca. In this story, he shows hero-like traits to many people. He defeated the cyclops, Polyphemus, from trapping him and his men, slept with the enchantress Circe, he is able to pass the Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis who blocked his and his men's path home, encountered walking corpses in the Land of the Dead to meet Tiresias, and cried for his dog,...
Words: 1955 - Pages: 8
...To most people, a hero would be described as someone who is physically strong, courageous and has risked or sacrificed his life for others. However, In Ancient Greece, a hero is considered a powerful clever man who is brave, courageous, has achieved many great accomplishments and someone who is favored by Gods. In the Greek society, a hero is a leader who not only has physical strength, but has mental strength as well. Odysseus, a famous Greek archetypal hero, demonstrates all these heroic qualities throughout the novel. "Finally, they decided to resort to a trick thought of by Odysseus...” Homer reveals Odysseus’ heroic characteristics through this quote by demonstrating how Odysseus can come up with logical solutions in life threatening...
Words: 252 - Pages: 2
...word “hero around”, but I dont think everyone actually realizes what a hero is, everyone has a different perception of what makes someone a hero. To some, a hero can range from someone with supernatural abilities that dedicate their whole lives to keeping the world safe from any threat to just someone with no special super power, it’s just people to admire or look up to. With the word having such a wide spectrum, it seems fairly easy to fall into the hero category. That range leaves no doubt why Odysseus and Dante are epic heroes; with what they went through, traveling through sea and passing straight through hell, they have also earned the title of being respectable heroes. According to The Odyssey, it is shown that a hero has a quality of being a risk taker; a trait Odysseus demonstrates throughout his journey. When Odysseus stabbed the Cyclopes in the eye, it is considered a huge, bold risk “Straight forward they sprinted, lifting it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye” (book IX. 380-381). Odysseus knew if he didn’t act quick, him and his men would live out their last days waiting to be lunch for the Cyclops. However, Odysseus is considered a god among men because of his quick thinking, he knew he had to succeed in order to avoid that fate. Not only were they inspired by the fact that they had to act on the situation to save their lives, but it also seems like they had some external motivation. As Odysseus’ men stood around him, “some god inspired us”, Odysseus said...
Words: 1729 - Pages: 7
...I. Troy is the name of the legend in Homers epic poem the Iliad. It was a city that fought in the Trojan War for ten years. The city was conquered and destroyed by a Greek army that was led by a king named Agamemnon. According to Homers the Iliad, the Trojan War started because of the abduction of Helen, who was a queen from Sparta. The king of Troy Priam, his son Paris who was also prince of Troy was behind the abduction. The Trojan War was thought to have taken place during the Bronze Age, which was around 1200B.C. What we knew it as was Myceanaean that spread through Greece. This civilization had also developed a system of writing (LIVESCIENCE: The Legend of Troy). In Homer’s the Iliad it takes place in the tenth year of the Trojan War....
Words: 1140 - Pages: 5
...“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome”(Brainy Quote.) The Odyssey is an epic poem written about a war hero’s journey and the obstacles he faces to return home which are mostly caused by the “God of the Sea” named Poseidon. Odysseus is a brave, intelligent, and resourceful protagonist. Odysseus is a hero because he is admired for his courage and authoritative qualities. Also, Odysseus has a way of thinking through tough situations and his On his journey, Odysseus arrives at Circe’s island. Circe is a witch-goddess who monopolizes the island of Aeaea. She is skilled in the art of metamorphosis and illusion. In order to get Odysseus to sleep with her, she drugs a fragment of Odysseus’ men,...
Words: 303 - Pages: 2
...is all part of the fairy tale.” ― Peter S. Beagle, The Last Unicorn. We can see Peter Beagles, an award winning american author, quote still 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
...In the words of George Elliot, “It is a narrow mind which cannot look at a subject from various points of view.” In the case of Homer's two epics, this quote holds true. It shows how Homer is able to present many points of views. Both the Iliad, and the Odyssey show how the lives of Achilles and Odysseus represent the crucial differences between a true hero, and a strong soldier. He shows their different views on honor, and how they view the society they live in. In these two epics, Homer uses specific events in the story to define the characters' views of their humanity as exemplified by their actions. Stereotypical heroes are thought of as being perfect beings. Yet, all heroes are flawed. The sign of a true hero is one who overcomes adversity,...
Words: 758 - Pages: 4
...Odysseus from “The Odyssey” is referred to as a true Greek Hero by many and is studied by English Classes around the world. What The Odyssey is about is the hero, Odysseus, who is trying to get home to Ithaca after winning the Trojan War. The war took him ten years and the voyage home is taking him ten meaning Odysseus has been gone for a total of twenty years. Odysseus is in fact a true hero, yet he does have flaws through either fulfilling, or failing to fulfill the following, arête, eudaimonia, and hubris. A perfect example of Odysseus not fulfilling arête is when they see Elpenor in The Kingdom of the Dead and he says the following: “Don’t sail off / and desert me, left behind unwept, unburied, don’t, / or my curse may draw god’s fury on your head” (Book XI 79-81). Elpenor was part of Odysseus’s crew and he died when he fell off of a building and broke his neck. Odysseus and his men did not have time to bury Elpenor because they had to leave to visit Hades. This is a perfect example of Odysseus violating arête. Even though they had a place to be they could’ve easily buried Elpenor, it is in a way hospitality. Zeus, who is the god of hospitality, would not be pleased with Odysseus, especially since he always shows hospitality with whom he encounters. Elpenor even said that the gods will draw...
Words: 725 - Pages: 3
...the Odyssey, Odysseus exhibits his most prominent heroic trait of courage, but unfortunately, also demonstrates the human characteristic of arrogance. Even though Odysseus is seen as a hero, he has bad qualities too. Odysseus has the two main qualities of courage and arrogance which he demonstrates while fighting the cyclops and traveling throughout the seas with his crew. Homer exhibits these traits all throughout the story by presenting Odysseus as a war like hero with no flaws, when further throughout the story you are able to see all of Odysseus most human like qualities. . Odysseus has many characteristics that he portrays all throughout the book of the Odyssey. A couple of his most prominent heroic qualities are courage...
Words: 1027 - Pages: 5
...Philosophies (Women)- Women play either a motherly role or that of a seductress. They are weakened along with being lost without a guide and a support. An example would be Penelope, wife of Odysseus since she is a mother, but while Odysseus is gone, and when suitors come along, in a way she tempts them in terms of power (of the role of king) and as a woman, but she actually never gives in to any of the men. The purpose of women was mainly to lament the losses for their men and also persuading for their safety. Criticism- Homer had written the Odyssey with a bit of over-the-top reiteration, along with the missing component of a sense of unity. However, even when Odysseus wasn’t on a scene, the lines of the story still indicate that he is...
Words: 1924 - Pages: 8
...Throughout the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer translated by Robert Fitzgerald, Odysseus reveals his identity as king and hero, demonstrates his leadership on behalf of his crew, and shows hubris. During his journey home to Ithaka, Odysseus and his crew face and overcome many kinds of obstacles. One of the obstacles is the Kyklopes, a one-eyed beast who lives on an island. Because of the threat of the Kyklopes, Odysseus must use his leadership to help his men escape so they can go back to Ithaka. Although Odysseus’ leadership is substantial, his hubris and his identity make the Kyklopes more of an obstacle than he needs it to be. Odysseus demonstrates his leadership by providing a course of plan to escape the island of Kyklopes. During Odysseus’...
Words: 952 - Pages: 4
