Why Do We Consider Odysseus to Be a Hero - 797 Words

Why do we consider Odysseus to be a hero? Was he all bullets and bravado like the â€Å"heroes† of today? Was he a testosterone and power armor kind of hero we see in video games? No, but he was heroic nonetheless. His loyalty, valor, humanity and most importantly, his intelligence, sets him apart from many other heroes from his era and from ours. He exemplifies the most important ideals of Homeric Greeks and is portrayed not only as a proud adventurer, but also as a caring father and a husband. Loyalty is one of the most important of Homeric Ideals. Odysseus has always been seen as loyal to his family in Ithica and the men who he travelled with. Some examples of his loyalty towards his family are his journey itself, traversing stormy seas†¦show more content†¦This would make him easy to relate to by the reader/audience. This is one area where Odysseus surpasses Beowulf. While Beowulf may have had unparallel courage, much of his qualities were often inhuman. Beowulf did not show to have very strong family bonds, whereas family bonds are the reason why Odysseus never gave up on his twenty-year journey home. He may have been easier to relate to during the era where his story was being told in taverns where nearly every man at one aspired to be a noble warrior. However, to the modern reader, Beowulf may seem like a heaping mass of muscle that while having strong values, showed little emotion. This makes Beowulf seem less realistic then Odysseus. The most renowned heroic quality of Odysseus was his intelligence. This is what sets him apart the most from many other heroes, such as Beowulf who would have tried to battle through every obstacle that came his way. Odysseus’s cunning is the main reason why he stayed alive, why Greece finally defeated Troy with the Trojan Horse, and ultimately the reason why he managed to get home against all odds. Even when confronted by the goddess Athene, he remains cautious and invents creative lies on the spot. His expertise in the art of deceit saved his life during his encounter with the Cyclops Polythemus. First, by convincing the Cyclops to drink the wine and putting him into a deep sleep where his single remained open. Secondly, by sharpening theShow MoreRelatedOdysseus, A Hero Essay1135 Words   |  5 PagesIs there such a thing as a true hero? Or are those that are considered heroes just regular people who made the right choice at the right time and became idolized for it? To be a true hero, the person would have to be totally good. It is impossible for a human being to be totally good because weaknesses, character faults, and the tendency to make mistakes are all rooted deeply into human nature. Therefore, no human being can ever truly be a hero, though we may do heroic deeds. A well known exampleRead MoreOdysseus : The Characteristics Of A Homeric Hero1720 Words   |  7 PagesA Homeric epic hero is considered to be above a normal human being. The traits of a typical epic hero are strength, loyalty, courage, and intelligence. In fact, the Macmillan Dictionary for Students defines a hero as one who is admired and looked up to for valor, achievements, and noble qualities (483). Odysseus fulfills all of the requirements for an epic hero and more. He demonstrates his ability to be an articulate speaker, and his poise aids him on his journey. His endless curiosity has gottenRead MoreWhat Is The Word Hero? Bravery?767 Words   |  4 PagesWhat comes to mind when you hear the word hero? Bravery? Courage? Selflessness? When you hear hero, you may think of Harry Potter who saved the world seven different times. You may think of Superman, and how he defeats the villains. You may think of Malala Yousafzai, who put her life on the line for her education. You may think of your mom, who cares and supports you unconditionally. God may come to mind, who continues to show mercy and forgiveness every day. These are all perfect, stereotypicalRead MoreHow Does Homer Use The Effectiveness Of Ajax s Speech1723 Words   |  7 Pagesnature of Achilles. In book IX of the Iliad, Ajax, known primarily for his brute strength and martial prowess, delivers the speech Achilles finds most compelling. Conversely, Odysseus, although the most adept orator sent, is the least effective in convincing Achilles to rejoin the war. In my opinion, this is because while Odysseus uses a well-reasoned and debatably superior argument, Ajax, as a character, is similar to Achi lles and is able to more effectively direct his argument towards Achilles’ definingRead MoreOdysseus Character Analysis2044 Words   |  9 PagesOdysseus is a man of many ways. He has seen numerous cities and has learned the minds of countless people (Book I: 1 – 4). He is glorious. Zeus calls him godlike, greatest among other men in mind (Book I: 65). Athena and Hephaestus taught him the arts of war and carpentry, respectively (Book IV: 233). He sacrificed more to the gods of heaven than any other mortal and thus, he is loved by all the gods. Additionally, he is a noble father and is as just and kind to his subjects as to his own kin. HeRead MoreThe Books Say Nothing !1723 Words   |  7 Pages I disagree with Betty when he states The books say nothing! Nothing you can teach or believe because in the text and in reality books do not say nothing, then they won t have any words in them. But looking deep within the books, many individuals can acknowledge that books hav e many capabilities, such as the ability to reveal the truth to people. As Faber states in the text Books has pores...the more pores, the more truthfully recorded details of life per square inch you can get on a sheetRead More`` Nightcrawler : The Homeric Perspective1596 Words   |  7 Pagesday choices. Hero’s are portrayed in modern day society to be someone who is willing to risk their lives for others, would you consider a hero to be someone who films a toddler being stabbed? Or how about someone who films the murder of three people and deceives the police? By using mood in Gilroy’s film the â€Å"Nightcrawler† character Louis Bloom represents a classical hero by following the hero’s journey all through the perception of a Homeric Greek. After millions of men died in the trojan war justRead MoreOdysseus Is Not A Hero1965 Words   |  8 PagesMerriam-Webster defines a hero as, â€Å"A person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.† For Odysseus to be a hero this definition is supposed to fit and describe him and his character, but why does this definition not describe or fit him and his character? This is because Odysseus is not a hero. Odysseus has done unethical things on his journey that makes him a person that should go unadmired. For example, when Odysseus ignored the death of his man in order to make more progress onRead MoreThe Odyssey : The Epic Tale Of Strength, Courage, Nobility, Knowledge, And Confidence2752 Words   |  12 PagesThe â€Å"Heroic† Odysseus The Odyssey is an epic tale of strength, courage, nobility, knowledge, and confidence reflected in a numerous amount of characters. The poem is centered on the most obvious candidate for a hero, Odysseus. However, many argue that he is, in fact, not a hero. He does not do things for other people out of the goodness of his heart, he does not consider other people’s values and needs, and he is self-centered and arrogant. There is also a difference between Odysseus having theRead More Tennysons Ulysses and The Lotos Eaters Essay1928 Words   |  8 PagesUlysses and The Lotos Eaters The great hero Odysseus has captivated readers throughout the ages. It is no surprise that the Victorian poet Tennyson not only read the Odyssey but wrote poetry about Odysseus as well. In the poems The Lotos Eaters and Ulysses, Tennyson remains true to the legends, but he infuses the characters with the ethos of his own day and his own experiences. The Lotos Eaters recalls the Homeric legend that has Odysseus and his men passing through an island that