Odysseus: a Controversial Hero Odysseus is timelessly known to be one of the most renowned epic heroes–yet individuals still question if he truly deserves this title. He encountered mythical creatures, unimaginable obstacles, uninhabitable conditions, and was still able to endure and return to Ithaca undefeated. However, his lucid mistakes initiate doubt of his true abilities. Odysseus’ desire to be well known as a hero occasionally overpowers his own common sense, leading him to dangerous situations that could have otherwise been avoided. Nonetheless, his fame is hardly diminished by these mistakes, as Odysseus always comes back to battle stronger than ever before. Throughout The Odyssey, Homer strategically portrayed Odysseus as a remarkable …show more content…
Remarkably, Odysseus never forgot to listen to the Gods and morals. When he was told something, it stuck with him, and he would use it to help guide him in his everyday life. Despite the fact that Odysseus was confident in all his skills, he practiced great caution and preciseness in order to correctly fulfill his prophecy, as told to him by Tiresias. Odysseus narrated, “I came to this wild place, directed by Athena, so that we may lay plans to kill our enemies” (Homer 1080-1082).” Even though Odysseus has finally returned to Ithaca, he knows what needs to be done and he invites his son, Telemachus, to assist him. This is also seen consistently throughout The Odyssey, as Odysseus always listens to the Gods and tries to do what will benefit him and his men the most significantly. For instance, when Athena told him he had to reveal his true identity in Ithaca, he did everything in his power to prepare for his fate in a way that would give him the most control. Equally notable, when Odysseus was informed that he must listen to the siren song and resist being compelled, he instructed his men and …show more content…
A plethora of descriptions evince his potential maleficence. In support, “There is no way in which Oddyseus’ behavior throughout the Odyssey can be accounted for as heroic on terms of the Iliad” (Odysseus and the Genus ‘Hero’). While Odysseus may be considered a wonderful hero in the Odyssey, his leading skills are miniscule compared to other epic heroes. Other epics, such as the Iliad, exhibit more proficient examples of powerful leaders. In spite of the fact that he is considered one of the greatest epic heroes of all time, his character is still very flawed and does not always make the most advantageous choices. It is evident that instead of dying victorious or fighting in dangerous battles, he would instead choose the option of risking the lives of his men or finding unrealistic solutions. While some may consider this admirable, others would argue that he is timid and desperately tries to avoid conflict. To illustrate, “‘Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye’” (Homer 459). After Odysseus had successfully wounded and escaped Polyphemus, in that moment, he succumbed and was controlled by his ego and desire, just for the purpose of a good reputation. Without considering anything, Odysseus told Polyphemus his name and exactly what he did, in hopes that when others heard the word, they would believe he was
On the other hand, he can also be selfish, remissive in duty, unfaithful, and easily distracted by lust. Odysseus’ commitment to his’ journey has proved him to be a selfish character. He is willing to sacrifice as many men possible conquer his’ journey. This commitment may show a person as a hero, but
In Homer’s translation of The Odyssey, the epic sung many years ago, there is a struggle of warriors to return to their home land after the battle of Troy. They face many challenges and obstacles and generally rely on one person to lead them home, Odysseus. He is seen flawless by men and the smartest of them all. A leader must always carry qualities that make him such a person to be followed by many dozen men who enjoy his control. Although Odysseus was seen as a strong leader with no flaws, there were in fact many that have cost him many lives.
Not only does he display qualities of an epic hero in times of conflict, but he also does in times of peace. Odysseus’ cunning intelligence is seen in a time of conflict when he and his men are in the Land of the Cyclopes and are tasked with the job of escaping the one-eyed giant, Polyphemus. Given the intense circumstances they are under, it is Odysseus’ job, as a leader, to lead his men to escape. Being the shrewd character he is, Odysseus plots to sedate Polyphemus with wine. He
In the movie, Odysseus receives a bag of winds to help him get home, but his men open the bag out of curiosity, and that blows the ship off course and Ithaca out of their sight, but Odysseus doesn't turn on his men, that proves he is loyal and understanding of his men. Odysseus is also loyal to his
Michael Camby Mr. Martin English 1 10 February 2023 The odyssey essay Today I'm going to talk about why I think Odysseus is a hero. Have you ever found yourself in a very tough situation that you do not know how to get out of? Odysseus has had that happen to him a lot that you will read about in this essay.
His name is Odysseus. In the Odyssey, Odysseus deserves the distinction of an epic hero for many reasons such as the fact that he is cunning, formidable, and resourceful. Furthermore, Odysseus deserves the distinction of an epic hero because he is a cunning man. Odysseus used much strategy to tackle obstacles and defeat many of his antagonists.
While that may be true that Odysseus doesn’t think before he acts or speaks, this doesn’t necessarily mean that he isn’t heroic. “Odysseus and his crew set out for the land of the dead. They arrive and find the place to which Circe has directed them” (Homer 388). There are many upsides to Odysseus’ mistakes. He has always been there for his men and was the bigger person when it came to tough situations.
Odysseus, the Overrated Hero An epic hero is defined as someone who is “the main character of an epic poem that tells the story of a grand quest in which they use their extraordinary or superhuman abilities to achieve great things” (dictionary.com). Although The Odyssey is an epic poem and Odysseus goes on a grand quest using superhuman abilities, divine intervention made all of this possible. All throughout Odysseus’ expedition in The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus goes on a voyage similar to the steps of the hero’s journey, but it ultimately prevents Odysseus from living as a true epic hero because of his profusion of hubris, him completely relying on the help the gods generously give him, and his selfishness to others. Although Odysseus’ confidence
Odysseus has grown from the man he was before, as now he finds comfort and safety in obeying the gods when in the past he did not consider their wishes. Odysseus has only returned due to Athena and he has recognized that and his compliance is founded in his appreciation and respect for her. Odysseus is now a hero due to the obedience he now has to the gods, founded in a sense of humility. Through Odysseus’ experiences on his journey, he learns the value of obedience and dangers of arrogance and ultimately, become a hero through the lessons learned.
Overall, Odysseus is often portrayed as a “model hero”, but in reality he has many faults such as being untrustworthy, arrogant and
Odysseus puts himself and his crew in grave danger while losing control over his narcissistic personality. Though a hero can spread his or her name through his actions, the mindset of a hero is to put oneself in harm’s way, not to put others in harm in order to spread oneself’s ego.
Odysseus, a man who was known for his adventures, but do we really understand the attributes needed for an epic hero? The King of Ithaca had a very concealed past where it is hardly ever noted that his men were mistreated by their captain and all of Odysseus’ mistakes affected those around him. Odysseus, on several occasions did his men wrong and along his journeys, he became very willful and big headed. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has several misfortunes such as losing all of his men and being stranded and not returning home for 20 years, but evidently all of these problems were caused by the mens lack of trust in Odysseus and Odysseus being too stubborn and full of pride. The crew had a very important job in the quests that Odysseus
In the book called The Odyssey by Homer, it mainly follows the story of a king of a village called Ithaca, hundreds of years ago-This man, is named Odysseus. Odysseus goes through many adventures after the victory of the Trojan War. However, this is where Odysseus, is not being as strong as a great war hero and a king as he should be. Although Odysseus was seen as a very strong person, physically and mentally, he lacks the appreciation and the care of his crew throughout the trials and didn’t think through many of his actions thoroughly and how they would affect not only his crew but people around him.
Odysseus is an epic hero because of his bravery and confidence during every obstacle throughout his journey In Part 1 whie Odysseus is about to come across cyclops cave, he says “I brought along and victuals in a bag, for in my bones I knew some towering brute would be upon so soon- all outward power, a wild man, ignorant of civility. “ Odysseus is showing his bravery of not being petrified of what he might come across, like the cyclops. Odysseus has no intention of harming them, but he is not sure what their intention is. This example is important because not only does it show confidence in himself, he also shows confidence in his men. In Part 2 Odysseus also shows his confidence in his men in part 2 where Eurylochus says, “Are you flesh and blood, Odysseus, to endure more than a man can?
No matter what is thrown at him he never stops trying to get home, getting past a Cyclopes, the Lady Circe, and sirens. He even gets through the Underworld and lives. Despite this, Odysseus does have faults about him, though not as many as there are qualities. He is a worldwide symbol, an archetype, of both nobility and bravery. Odysseus, the epic hero of the Odyssey, a great leader with many attributes as well as flaws, is no ordinary man.