odysseus epic hero essay

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Home Essay Samples Literature Odysseus

The Epic Journey: How Is Odysseus an Epic Hero

Table of contents, heroic birth and lineage, extraordinary intelligence and cunning, strength and courage, long and perilous journey, humanity and flaws, reunion and redemption, references:.

• Homer. (8th century BCE). The Odyssey.
• Nagy, G. (1999). The Epic Hero. JHU Press.
• Griffin, J. (2005). Homer: The Odyssey. Cambridge University Press.
• Mitchell, A. (2013). An Introduction to Homer. Oxford University Press.
• Finkelberg, M. (2013). The Odyssey and Ancient Art. Oxford University Press.

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• The Picture of Dorian Gray
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• The Little Prince
• J. K. Rowling

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Odysseus’ Personal Qualities and the Epic Hero Image Essay

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Introduction

Homer’s The Odyssey contains the most extensive account of the adventures of an epic Greek hero Odysseus. However, for many decades critics have argued whether or not Odysseus is, indeed, a hero. Reading The Odyssey , one notices many differences between Odysseus and the typical heroic images in other ancient myths, such as Achilles in The Iliad .

Odysseus shares some characteristics with other epic heroes, for instance, his physical strength, but also has many other qualities, which distinguish him from a traditional epic image, such as wit, cunning intelligence, patience, and stateliness; moreover, he also possesses some negative qualities that are not generally attributed to epic heroes: for example, pride, unfaithfulness, and poor leadership qualities. Positive traits help Odysseus in his journey and grant him the support of higher powers, whereas other, less exemplary qualities, halt him on his way to Ithaca by creating various obstacles.

Odysseus’ wit has been the subject of many critical studies and explorations. Indeed, legendary epic heroes are not typically shown to be fluent in words. Odysseus, on the other hand, freely uses rhetoric to achieve his goals. For example, Zerba discusses the episode in the land of the Phaeacians with regards to Odysseus’ wit and his use of language: “his performance impresses Alkinoos, lord of the Phaiakians, so much that the king likens him to a singer of tales […] who has spoken both knowingly […] and with a pleasing form […] in his words” (314-313).

Zerba argues that it is Odysseus’ story that helps him to get a new ship and crew from the Phaeacians: “Odysseus’ tale of his wanderings in the court of the Phaiakians […] is delivered in the effort to secure safe passage to Ithaka and to acquire guest-gifts that will enhance his status, is in this sense provisional” (317). However, despite the need to win the audience, Odysseus also uses rhetoric to establish his authority; in his storytelling, he is always somewhat distant from the listeners: “Odyssean charisma, in both the personal sense attached to the character of the man and as a predominant mode of discourse in the epic as a whole, involves standoffishness and deferral” (Zerba 324).

The distance establishes a particular kind of hierarchy and the audience’s respect towards Odysseus, which is vital for him to gain help from the Phaeacian king and to earn a passage home.

Another quality, which is, on the contrary, typically heroic, is Odysseus’ strength. It is also crucial in the Phaeacian episode, as Rankine shows in her article “Odysseus as a Slave.” According to Rankine, having no status or resources upon arrival to Phaeacians poses a substantial threat of enslavement for Odysseus: “The structure, however, follows that of our examples of enslavement: the entry of an outsider, the mock cooption of the outsider into the community, and the trial of this potential opponent, which leads to his domination” (44).

In this case, the contest becomes a way for Odysseus to establish his authority and prove himself a strong opponent. Despite the fact that The Odyssey does not elaborate on the fighting skills of Odysseus until the later books and the slaughter of Penelope’s suitors, during the contest Odysseus proves his physical strength in front of the audience, including the Phaeacian king Alcinous (Homer VIII.216-223):

Up he sprang, cloak and all, and seized a discus,

huge and heavy, more weighty by far than those

the Phaeacians used to hurl and test each other.

Wheeling around, he let loose with his great hand

and the stone whirred on—and down to the ground they went,

those lords of the long oars and master mariners cringing

under the rock’s onrush, soaring lightly out of his grip,

flying away past all the other marks.

Rankine claims, “Athletics amount to surrogate warfare and the captors want a formidable opponent they can claim to have dominated, as they would have done in war” (43). However, this scene shows Odysseus not as an equal to Phaeacians, but as their superior, and thus earns him respect and freedom instead of a threat of captivity.

Stateliness

Being the rightful King of Ithaca, Odysseus is shown as a majestic figure throughout the story. The importance of his stateliness is highlighted by the influence of Goddess Athena on Odysseus’ appearance. She casts a veil to make Odysseus seem broader and more beautiful at several points during The Odyssey . Firstly, when Nausicaa’s maids find him by the river (Homer VI.237-246):

And then, once he had bathed all over, rubbed in oil

and donned the clothes the virgin princess gave him,

Zeus’s daughter Athena made him taller to all eyes,

his build more massive now, and down from his brow

she ran his curls like thick hyacinth clusters

full of blooms. As a master craftsman washes

gold over beaten silver—a man the god of fire

and Queen Athena trained in every fine technique—

and finishes off his latest effort, handsome work,

so she lavished splendor over his head and shoulders now.

The change in Odysseus’ appearance is noticed by the princess, who becomes attracted to him and thus decides to take him to her father, the Phaeacian king.

The second time when Athena influences Odysseus’ appearance to make him appear more majestic occurs towards the end of the story (Homer XXIII.174-184):

And Athena crowned the man with beauty, head to foot,

made him taller to all eyes, his build more massive,

yes, and down from his brow the great goddess

ran his curls like thick hyacinth clusters

gold over beaten silver – a man the god of fire

and Queen Athena trained in every fine technique –

and finishes off his latest effort, handsome work…

He stepped from his bath, glistening like a god,

and back he went to the seat that he had left.

Odysseus’ appearance is important here, as it is a moment of revelation when he shows Penelope his true identity after spending the day in disguise. Penelope admits that he looks “the way he looked,/ setting sail from Ithaca years ago/ aboard the long-oared ship” (Homer XXIII.196-198). The revelation is significant not only because it marks the hero’s return, but also because Penelope’s cooperation eventually helps Odysseus to defeat the suitors and to re-establish his authority as the king.

Cunning Intelligence

Arguably the most important quality Odysseus possesses and the one that helps him the most on his journey is his cunning intelligence, and there are two factors that account for such importance. Firstly, Odysseus’ intelligence is one of the main reasons for Athena’s affection towards the hero and thus, her help, which saves Odysseus’ life on numerous occasions and grants him safe passage home. Athena admits the fact that she favors Odysseus’ for his cunning intelligence: “That’s why I can’t forsake you in your troubles— /you are so winning, so worldly-wise, so self-possessed!” (Homer XIII.376-377). Athena comes to Odysseus’ aid right from the start of the poem, allowing him to escape from Calypso’s island.

She also saves his life from Poseidon’s wrath after Odysseus blinds his son Polyphemus, helps Telemachus to grow from boyhood into manhood so that he would become a reliable ally to Odysseus after his return, negotiates with the gods that want to inflict harm on Odysseus, and so on. The Goddess’ influence on the story is substantial, which makes Odysseus cunning intelligence an essential quality for his return home: “Athena and Odysseus are the perfect partners in the cunning arts (kerdea)” (Mitova 2).

Zerba stresses another important aspect of Odysseus’ intelligence: his skepticism. In Odysseus’ wanderings, Zerba argues, his skepticism and mistrust are vital for him to stay alive: “As an instrument of survival for those who have been alienated from the ones they love and exposed to the ebb and flow of rumor, skepticism offers a way of coping with a world that is deeply contingent, opaque to understanding, and fraught with competing views” (317). For instance, Odysseus’ skepticism prevents him from falling under the spells of Circe and Calypso (Homer IX.29-33):

Calypso the lustrous goddess tried to hold me back,

deep in her arching caverns, craving me for a husband.

So did Circe, holding me just as warmly in her halls,

the bewitching queen of Aeaea keen to have me too.

But they never won the heart inside me, never.

Despite the fact that Odysseus still had to spend several years on Calypso’s island and over a year with Circe, his intelligence has prevented him from sharing the fate of his teammates, who remained in captivity for the rest of their lives.

Patience is another characteristic that helps Odysseus in his journey, particularly due to the numerous cases where he uses a disguise to conceal his identity. For example, even as he finally reaches Ithaca, he cannot appear at his palace’s doorstep in his real appearance; he has to disguise himself as a beggar in order to devise a plan to slaughter Penelope’s suitors who have been taking residence at his home.

Disguise allows Odysseus to penetrate into the palace, to get enough support by revealing his true identity to Penelope, Telemachus, and some other trusted characters, and then to take the suitors by surprise, murdering them and reclaiming his power over Ithaca. While in disguise, however, he experiences a lot of humiliation from the ignorant suitors and the maids who sleep with them. For instance, Odysseus is mocked and insulted by Melantho (Homer XVIII.366-378):

She was Eurymachus’ lover, always slept with him.

She was the one who mocked her king and taunted,

“Cock of the walk, did someone beat your brains out?

Why not go bed down at the blacksmith’s cozy forge?

Or a public place where tramps collect? Why here—

blithering on, nonstop,

bold as brass in the face of all these lords?

No fear in your heart? Wine’s got to your wits?—

or do you always play the fool and babble nonsense?

Lost your head, have you because you drubbed that hobo Irus?

You wait—a better man than Irus will take you on,

he’ll box both sides of your skull with heavy fists

and cart you out the palace gushing blood!”

A similar scene happens during the suitors’ feast, when Ctesippus insults Odysseus, throwing an ox hoof in his face (Homer XX.321-339). In both scenes, patience and self-restraint are vital for Odysseus not to disclose his real identity too soon, which would ruin his plan and put his life in danger. Thus, patience is a beneficial quality that helps Odysseus to return as the King of Ithaca in the conclusion of the story.

Odysseus’ pride acts as the counterpart to his patience, and it is one of the few negative qualities that cause substantial trouble to Odysseus and show his less heroic side. The best part of the story to examine the portrayal of Odysseus’ pride is the Cyclops episode in Book IX, which “presents a conflict between civilized humanity and a subhuman culture trapped in a primitive pastoral stage” (Dayton 1). Odysseus and some of his crew members are captured by Polyphemus.

The Cyclops eats two of Odysseus’ men each day until Odysseus develops a plan to escape. He and his men blind Polyphemus with a wooden staff and manage to flee from the cave. Before blinding the Cyclops, Odysseus tells him that his name is Nobody, which helps them escape: when Polyphemus calls to his neighbors for help and tells them that Nobody injured him, the other Cyclopes disregard the alarm and don’t help Polyphemus to catch Odysseus. However, as soon as Odysseus feels safe on board of his ship, his pride takes over, and he calls to Polyphemus again (Homer IX.558-562):

if any man on the face of the earth should ask you

who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus,

raider of cities, he gouged out your eye,

Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca!

Odysseus’ pride would not let him leave his heroic actions unknown, so he reveals his name to the Cyclops. Such arrogance is punished straight away: Polyphemus prays to his father Poseidon to punish Odysseus. For the rest of Odysseus’ travels, Poseidon represents the main opposing force to Odysseus: “Poseidon, after delivering an angry monologue, causes a storm, and Odysseus reacts with a despairing monologue in which he wishes he had died at Troy […] The raft is then hit by a wave that knocks Odysseus off and destroys the boat’s rudder and superstructure” (Scodel 9). Thus, Odysseus’ pride is a negative quality that causes a lot of trouble for the hero.

Unfaithfulness

As Rankine notes, “It has not been unusual for modern readers (such as Toni Morrison) to raise the question of Odysseus’ polygamy” (41). Indeed, whereas there are numerous occasions in the text that show Odysseus’ love for his wife Penelope, he has sexual intercourse with both Calypso and Circe. Despite the fact that Calypso held Odysseus captive, which implies that “to assume Odysseus is free to act as he wants with Calypso would be as inappropriate as reading the American slave woman’s coitus with her master as voluntary” (Rankine 41), his last intercourse with the Nymph can hardly be deemed forced (Homer V.248-251):

Even as he spoke

the sunset and the darkness swept the earth.

And now, withdrawing into the cavern’s deep recesses,

long in each other’s arms, they lost themselves in love.

Odysseus also spends over a year with Circe, despite not being affected by her guile. At first, he appears with the intention to kill Circe and to free his men, however, he decides to spare her life and becomes her lover instead (Homer X.383-386):

Straightaway

she began to swear the oath that I required—never,

she’d never do me harm—and when she’d finished,

then, at last, I mounted Circe’s gorgeous bed …

Overall, Odysseus’ infidelity to Penelope causes a significant delay in his return to Ithaca and poses a danger to his men and his life, too.

Poor Leadership Qualities

Another character flaw that can be found in Odysseus is his poor leadership qualities. Despite being respected and even feared by his teammates, Odysseus fails to be an effective leader throughout the story, which causes significant troubles and delays. For instance, instead of sailing straight to Ithaca after the victory in Troy, Odysseus and his crew sail to Cicones. After killing the men of Ismarus, Odysseus and his men share their gold and their wives; however, when Odysseus commands his crew to go back to the ships and set sail, they do not listen, and this results in other Cicones coming to avenge the murdered men and killing many of Odysseus’ teammates (Homer IX.50-62):

Then I urged them to cut and run, set sail,

but would they listen? Not those mutinous fools;

there was too much wine to swill, too many sheep to the slaughter

down along the beach, and shambling longhorn cattle.

And all the while the Cicones sought out other Cicones,

called for help from their neighbors living inland:

a larger force, and stronger soldiers too,

skilled hands at fighting men from chariots,

skilled, when a crisis broke, to fight on foot.

Out of the morning mist they came against us—

packed as the leaves and spears that flower forth in spring—

and Zeus presented us with disaster, me and my comrades

doomed to suffer blow on mortal blow.

Another Odysseus’ leadership failure can be seen in the episode with the Cattle of the Sun. On the island of Thrinacia, where Odysseus and his crew were beached for over three weeks, Odysseus’ men disobey him and slaughter the cattle of Helios, causing the Gods’ wrath as Zeus punishes them, inflicting another shipwreck, which no one but Odysseus survives. In the end, Odysseus returns to Ithaca alone, having lost both of his crews, which once again proves his poor leadership qualities.

Some critics have also mentioned Odysseus’ weakness and passivity throughout the story: “From the moment Poseidon raises the storm until he reaches the river, Odysseus is unable to plan effectively […] Odysseus’ inability to make and carry out a reasoned decision is a pointed demonstration of his broader inability to act effectively” (Scodel 11). Indeed, at times it seems like the only force that drives Odysseus home is the divine help of Athena and other gods.

For instance, when Poseidon casts waves to wreck Odysseus’ raft, the hero is aided by Athena, Ino, and the river god consecutively (Scodel 13). The help of the gods follows Odysseus through his journeys, implying that he would not be able to survive and reach Ithaca on his own: “He is helped by both gods in a way that makes him less of ‘a hero developing with his circumstances’” (Mitova 4), mainly due to his character flaws that cause significant troubles throughout The Odyssey .

Mitova argues that the multi-dimensional nature of Odysseus’ character is implied by the hero’s name: she explains how the name Odysseus comes from Greek ôdusao, “which can have both an active and a passive meaning” (3). The closest alternative in English would be the word ‘trouble,’ therefore meaning that Odysseus can both cause trouble and be the trouble: “Odysseus has two aspects, a victim and a victimizer” (Mitova 3).

The diversity of character traits, positive and negative, seems to be a feature that distinguishes Odysseus from other epic heroes to the extent that makes the audience wonder if he can be named a hero at all. To me, the plot of the epic answers the question conclusively: the constant divine help, for example, is a strong indicator of Odysseus’ righteousness by the ancient order, whereas his successful return to Ithaca’s throne establishes his status as an epic hero, who has successfully combatted his enemies and obstacles on the way to his goal.

It is true, however, that “Odysseus does not represent ‘the commonest aspirations and failures of human nature’ – he is like no other mortal man in the Homeric epics” (Mitova 4). The fact that the poet decides to show his beneficial qualities, as well as the less exemplary characteristics, creates a new concept of the epic hero portrayal, making the character more believable and more relevant to the real world.

Works Cited

Dayton, John. “The Negative Banquet of Odysseus and the Cyclops.” Web.

Homer. The Odyssey , translated by Robert Fagles, edited by Bernard Knox, Penguin, 2006.

Mitova, Katia. “The Makers of the Odyssey: Athena and Odysseus.” Web.

Rankine, Patrice. “Odysseus as Slave: The Ritual of Domination and Social Death in Homeric Society.” Reading Ancient Slavery , edited by Richard Alston, Edith Hall and Laura Proffitt. Bristol Classical Press, 2011, pp. 34-50.

Scodel, Ruth. “Odysseus at Sea.” Papers and Monographs from the Norwegian Institure at Athens , series 4, vol. 2, 2014, pp. 9-15.

Zerba, Michelle. “Odyssean Charisma and the Uses of Persuasion.” The American Journal of Philology , vol. 130, no. 3, 2009, pp. 313–339.

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How Is Odysseus An Epic Hero

Odysseus is the perfect example of an epic hero. He embodies all the qualities that are associated with this archetype, such as strength, courage, and wisdom. Odysseus’ journey home from Troy is one of the most famous stories in all of literature, and he is one of the most well-known characters in Greek mythology.

The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus’ long journey back to his homeland of Ithaca. After enduring many challenges and obstacles, Odysseus finally arrives home after 20 years away. During his journey, Odysseus demonstrates all the qualities of a heroic figure. He is brave in the face of danger, resourceful in times of need, and displays great strength and determination. Odysseus is also a very wise leader, able to make sound decisions in difficult situations.

Odysseus’ journey home is a classic example of an epic hero’s journey. He overcomes tremendous odds to reach his goal, and in doing so, becomes a true legend. Odysseus is an excellent example of an epic hero, and his story continues to inspire readers to this day.

The central hero of an epic, a lengthy poem about the deeds of gods or heroes, is known as an epic hero. He has qualities that exceed those of most humans, yet he is recognizable as such. These heroes have a tragic flaw. This distinguishes them from gods who are flawless.

In The Odyssey, an epic attributed to Homer, Odysseus is the protagonist. Hubris is his tragic flaw; it occurs on rare occasions when he displays excessive and overbearing pride. Odysseus is regarded a hero because he possesses exceptional skills in combat and leadership.

He is also a man of his word. Odysseus’ journey home from the Trojan War took ten years. During that time he faced many challenges, including the wrath of Poseidon, god of the sea. Odysseus is a heroic figure because he overcomes these challenges, and returned home to his family safe and sound. Odysseus is an epic hero. He possesses qualities superior to those of most men, yet remains recognizably human. Odysseus is a hero because of his skills as a warrior and his wisdom as a leader. He is also a man of his word.

The three encounters that Odysseus had in The Odyssey display his better qualities. His bravery is demonstrated by the encounters with the Lotus-Eaters, the Cyclops, and Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus’ genius is manifest in his ships arrival on the coast of the Lotus-Eaters.

Rather than releasing his entire crew to explore this intriguing region, Odysseus only permitted two selected men and a runner to discover who lived there after some time. After spending some time there, none of them wanted to return to the ship or tell anyone about it.

Odysseus went to retrieve them himself and found that the Lotus-Eaters had offered his men the fruit of the Lotus plant, which caused anyone who ate it to become forgetful of their home. Odysseus had to drag his men back to the ship, kicking and screaming, in order to save them from a life without purpose. The Cyclops is another being whom Odysseus has an encounter with on his journey home.

Odysseus and his men find themselves trapped inside the cave of Polyphemus, a monstrous one-eyed giant. Odysseus comes up with a plan that will allow him and his remaining men to escape the cave unharmed. He gives Polyphemus wine until he passes out and then Odysseus gouges out his eye with a sharpened piece of olive wood. The next morning, as the Cyclops lets his flock of sheep out to graze, he calls for help from the other Cyclopes on the island.

They ask him what is wrong and he replies that “No one” has hurt him. Odysseus and his men then tie themselves to the underside of the sheep and when the Cyclopes feel around for intruders, they only find the smooth backs of the animals. This plan allows Odysseus and his men to escape and sail away safely. The final event that takes place is when Odysseus must choose between Scylla and Charybdis.

Scylla is a six-headed sea monster and Charybdis is a whirlpool that Odysseus and his men must pass in order to get to Ithaca. Odysseus chooses to navigate the ship closer to Scylla so that he and his men can avoid being sucked into the Charybdis. This decision costs him six of his sailors, but it allows the rest of his crew to make it safely home. Odysseus’s heroic traits are shown during all of these encounters and help him to make it home to Ithaca.

The encounter with Scylla and Charybdis was Odysseus’ most difficult moment up to that point. Scylla was a gray rock sea monster with six heads, and Charybdis was an enormous and harmful whirlpool.

Unfortunately, to reach the destination they had to call at, they were compelled to sail straight through these two extreme risks. Odysseus found himself in a huge scenario. Should he go near Scylla or Charybdis? He determined to approach Scylla, demonstrating how he might make important judgments while under great stress supplied.

Odysseus’ encounter with the Sirens is another example of his quick thinking. Odysseus and his men heard the enchanting singing of the Sirens, but Odysseus had been forewarned by Circe and knew that if they sailed too close, they would be lured to their doom.

Odysseus ordered his men to plug their ears with beeswax so they would not be able to hear the Sirens, and then he had them bind him to the mast of the ship so he could not jump overboard to his death. Odysseus’ cleverness was again shown when he told his men that he wanted them to untie him when he got back to Ithaca. Odysseus was then able to listen to the singing of the Sirens without being harmed.

Odysseus’ intelligence and strength were also shown when he defeated the Cyclops. The Cyclops was a one-eyed giant who lived on an island that Odysseus and his men had to visit. Odysseus and his men were trapped in the cave of the Cyclops because a storm had blown their boat away from the island. Odysseus came up with a plan to defeat the Cyclops.

He gave each of his men a large stick, and he told them to pretend that they were paralyzed. Odysseus then put on a cloak that made him invisible and he went into the cave. The Cyclops was angry that Odysseus and his men were in his cave, so he started to eat them. Odysseus and his men then stabbed the Cyclops in the eye with their sticks and escaped from the cave.

Odysseus’s intelligence and strength were also evident when he killed all of the suitors who were trying to marry Penelope, Odysseus’ wife. Odysseus had been gone for twenty years, and during that time, Penelope had been besieged by suitors who wanted to marry her. Penelope did not want to marry any of them, but she could not get rid of them.

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Odysseus - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer’s Odyssey, is a complex character whose cunning, loyalty, and enduring spirit have been extensively explored in literature and arts. Essays might delve into Odysseus’s character traits, his interactions with other characters, and his journey’s symbolic implications. Additionally, discussions could explore the varied interpretations and representations of Odysseus across different cultures and historical periods. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to Odysseus you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

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In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is faced with many daunting obstacles. With each obstacle, Odysseus evolves and reveals strong leadership qualities. The abundance of leadership protects Odysseus and his crew and allows Odysseus to return to Ithaca; therefore, Odysseus represents an ideal leader because he conveys an immense amount of compassion, cunning intelligence, and extensive bravery. To begin, Odysseus shows endless consideration for all of his men which makes him a strong leader. He always looks out for his […]

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DO's Of Being a Good Leader DO USE INGENUITY WHEN FIGHTING YOUR ENEMIES: Odysseus showed good leadership when he saved the remaining men from his crew from the cyclops. In order to do this, he hid his men in cattle to escape from the cyclops. In the Odyssey, Odysseus states, I tied them [rams] silently together then slung a man under each middle one to ride there safely, shielded left and right. This shows how Odysseus came up with a […]

Odysseus in Book 9

In book 9 of the Odyssey, Odysseus uses trickery to escape the cave of the Cyclops, and once he escapes, reveals himself. He always portrays himself as self-absorbed because of his knowledge, experience, and actions. Odysseus tricked a wine drunk and blind Cyclops, humiliated him by killing his goat, then taunted him from the safety of his ship. I believe Odysseus' actions came from strictly fear and flaunt. He can be viewed as being self involved, so it would only […]

The Role of Women in the Odyssey

In Homer's The Odyssey, there are a number of women presented in the storyline from goddesses, lower-class women, to upper-class women. Throughout his journey, Odysseus interacts with a number of female figures that reveal the nature of women in Ancient Greece. The characters of The Odyssey show the respect of mortal women that women were respected and regarded in their society. The text shows examples of how women were treated as second-class citizens but also foreshadows the changes in gender […]

Is Odysseus a Hero?

A hero, by definition, is a person who is is admired or idealized for having noble qualities. Anyone, no matter shape or size, can be a hero as long as they are selfless, noble, smart, and can think through situations to make the best possible decision. Though many people view Odysseus, main character of the Odyssey, as a hero, he is anything but. Odysseus is not a hero due to his two traits of arrogance and selfishness. During the entire […]

Is Odysseus a Good Leader

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others,” said Douglas MacArthur. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus shows these traits and many more during his journey home to Ithaca after fighting in the Trojan War. Odysseus must brave monsters, Cyclopes, giants and more, but he is devoted to returning home to his wife and son. Though only Odysseus makes it home in the […]

The Penelopiad and the Odyssey

Have you ever heard of the saying, There are two sides to every story? All throughout reading The Penelopiad, I had to keep this saying in mind, in recognizition of Homer's, The Odyssey. Homer and his wonderful storytelling skill absolutely glorified Odysseus' heroism, yet I found that there wasn't enough proper insight into the victims of his venegence. What Margaret Atwood set out to do through her The Penelopiad was to offer an alternate perspective of the events in Ithaca […]

Events Experienced by Odysseus

The Odyssey is a well-known poem written by a Greek writer Homer and is considered as one of the most ancient masterpieces of literature. The story of the poem takes place when Odysseus, the brave and strategic warrior fought in the Trojan War in Troy for ten years in Ancient Greece. While away, Odysseus faced many challenges at sea. He went through a lot including being held captive for many years by the gods, especially by Calypso, a charming goddess […]

Odysseus: the Complex Hero of Homer’s Odyssey

As I read Homer's Odyssey the main character, Odysseus is the person that only tries to please himself. Even though Odysseus obtains the trust of his men, he fails his risk of the journey home. Multiple times in the epic Odysseus handles others, perpetrate in immoral acts and brimful of hubris. He was the kind of person tries to take accelerated way because of that men were murdered and his boats demolished. Odysseus was the man that would only satisfy […]

The Odyssey Books Summary

Book 1 10 years after the Trojan War, Odysseus still has not returned home. By this time, his son Telemachus has grown up and his wife, Penelope has gained many suitors that want his family’s wealth. The suitors dishonor Odysseus and his family by eating all of the family’s livestock. Odysseus has been missing for a long time, so people try to take advantage of his absence by winning over Penelope. They think Odysseus is probably dead. Athena likes Odysseus […]

About Odysseus’ Qualities

The Odyssey reveals six dominant traits of Odysseus that either exemplify his heroism or cause him many problems. Through his long, adventurous and ultimately successful quest back home, Odysseus’ traits of determination, righteousness, and cleverness exemplify his heroism. First, his determination: He always did whatever it took to get back home and no matter how difficult the circumstances. He showed amazing strength and never gave up. While this was demonstrated in several ways, one of the strongest instances was on […]

Comparison of Modern Hero Thor and Odysseus

History tells us how one becomes a hero and how unique their journey is. This essay emphasis on comparing the journeys of two well-known heroes, a modern hero Thor and Odysseus a great hero from Greek Mythology. Odysseus is also named “a man of many turns” and Thor is known for "god of thunder” both are endured for a long, tough journey to find wisdom. Thor is a hammer using god who associates with lightning, thunder, and storm with a […]

The Story of Odysseus Moral Lessons

"The story of Odysseus is a long, perilous, and meaningful tale depicting journeys only the most courageous would partake in. I guess that's the point right? Odysseus is a marvelous Greek hero. Odysseus has many traits that are sought after and praised in Greek culture. The reason he is wanted so, is because he doesn't just use his strengths for himself, but instead he helps better the lives of those around him. During, ""The Odyssey"", through dangerous trials and harrowing […]

Odysseus’ Journey in Homer’s the Odyssey

As said by Arthur Ashe, “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome”. People tend to think the goal is everything, but the goal or the destination could not exist without the journey there. Journeys teach things that cannot be learned after reaching a destination. It is what occurs during traveling that is important for the outcome. Odysseus’ journey shaped him into the man he was when arriving back home, he could […]

Loyalty in the Odyssey

In the novel The Odyssey by Homer, characters in the book are found to have an abundance of loyalty. For a few examples penelope to odysseus, telemachus odysseus and a few more. Homer develops this message by putting the characters through situations where loyalty will be important. There are also examples of disloyalty in the book and there are certain consequences also. Penelope shows many signs of loyalty towards Odysseus. For many years Odysseus is away from home and during […]

Odysseus is an Epic Hero and Example of being a Leader

An epic hero is an example of being a leader, sacrificing yourself for someone else, and having courage. In The Odyssey, Odysseus achieved all of his demands to be a hero throughout his journey. Odysseus is an example of an epic hero due to being a leader and being brave. Odysseus journey adds to the meaning of the work as a whole because it demonstrates that Odysseus is a hero. Odysseus being a hero proves the significance of his culture. […]

Odysseus as an Epic Hero

The Odyssey is a heroic story about Odysseus and his crew trying to get home from Troy to Ithaca but end up taking longer than expected as they face many obstacles in their way. In The Odyssey, Odysseus shows many traits that show that he is an epic hero. During the time Odysseus lived, the traits of being a hero included being a great warrior, having hubris, and having great intelligence. Odysseus shows all of these traits throughout the story. […]

Why Odysseus is a Good Hero

There is no question that heroes are flawed humans and this includes Odysseus. In the poem The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus and his crew are trying to return to Ithaca but face many obstacles such as, tricking the cyclops, lotus eaters, land of the dead, the sirens and more. that reveal Odysseus’ true character. For example, his determination and cleverness is obvious but, he also reveals a major flaw. Odysseus has excessive amounts of pride that lead him into […]

Strengths and Weaknesses of Odysseus in Homer’s Poem

What qualifies men to be heroes? If a man who uses his wits to trick, not only women, but other men into doing exactly what he wants, is this man not a player? Heroes are presumed to overcome a great evil for the better of everyone and not just himself/herself. Odysseus from Homer’s The Odyssey believes that he is almost untouchable and unbeatable. Odysseus is a selfish man who failed his men, cheated on his wife and still managed to […]

Examining the Roles of Women in Homer’s the Odyssey

Throughout Homer's epic tale of fantastical beasts and heroic ideals, Odysseus encounters several women and goddesses on his arduous journey fraught with peril at every step. The Odyssey is a collection of 24 stories that tell of Odysseus' journey back to his homeland, Ithaca, after the conclusion of the fabled Trojan War. Although goddesses such as Athena and Calypso hold absolute strength and divine power over mortal women, even they are powerless in some aspects. In The Odyssey, women play […]

The Hero’s Journey of Odysseus

He is renowned as a legendary hero for his involvement in the Trojan War and his rigorous journey back home. An epic leader who is known to be courageous, cunning, and strong. A true warrior who surpassed countless adversities and challenges along his journey. His name is Odysseus, and not only did he exhibit meritorious qualities, but he also had his imperfect flaws. At the end of his journey, Odysseus transforms into a mature and humble hero as he had […]

“You’re a Hard Man, Odysseus”

"You're a hard man, Odysseus. Your fighting spirit's stronger than ours, your stamina never fails. You must be made of iron head to foot." -Eurylochus (The Odyssey). Odysseus and Tony Stark, (or Ironman), exemplify many of the same qualities and values throughout their own stories. They share similar strengths and traits, challenges and obstacles, and personal values. Though there are many parallels between heroes, Odysseus and Tony Stark seem to have the most relevant similarities and interrelation. Both heroes are […]

Odysseus Blames on Everyone in “The Odyssey”

Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus has the tendency to blame other gods for various types of acts, some of which Odysseus should not be the one blaming. An example of this is when Odssesus is telling his life story and he states "Calypso the lustrous goddess tried to hold me back, deep in her arching caverns, craving me for a husband. So did Circe, holding me just as warmly in her halls, the bewitching queen of Aeaea keen to have me […]

"The term hero is quite subjective. While one person may be seen as a hero to many, to others he may very well be the villain. Albeit Odysseus is considered to be a great hero in Greek mythology, is he still a hero by today’s standards? A basic definition of a hero would be a person who acts selflessly and at personal risk, and expects nothing in return. In myths and stories especially, heroes overcome great adversities and are able […]

Pan’s Labyrinth Greek Mythology

Pan's Labyrinth is a 2006 surreal fairytale film in which an 11-year-old girl named Ofelia deals with the reality of her bleak life on a military compound in 1944's fascist Spain with her sickly pregnant mother and her violent stepfather by seamlessly blending fantastical elements with reality. Ofelia in Pan's Labyrinth undergoes labors to reach an ultimate "happy" ending and the film draws from Greek myth, blending ancient narratives with modern culture and politics. Pan's Labyrinth, following the typical hero's […]

Is Odysseus Really a Hero?

A hero, by definition, is a person who is admired or idealized for having noble qualities. Anyone, no matter shape or size, can be a hero as long as they are selfless, noble, and smart. They must have a moral compass and be able to make the best of a situation. Heroes are not only limited to fictional works; they are all around us. They appear in real life, in comics, in books, and more. Though many people view Odysseus, […]

Odysseus as a Heroic Individual

Every culture around the world had their heroes, and he is the embodiment of the most admired values and ideals of the people, is someone who has courage and has risked or sacrificed his life for others. A hero was a leader who had not only physical strength, but mental strength as well. He was usually someone that got themselves into danger, and in cases where the average man would suffer, the hero would have enough stamina to survive. Odysseus, […]

Achilles and Odysseus

"Even the other characters realize it and point it out. For example Menelaos says ""no one of the Achaians labored as much as Odysseus labored and achieved"" (4.106). His men definitely may feel overworked but he always does what he says he’s going to do and beyond. So they can’t complain because he’s doing what they’re doing and more. His strength is unmatched which causes amazement by everyone. Due to Achilles being born a Demigod, he acquired many skills. He […]

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