Odysseus: A Tragic Hero

Everyone knows who Odysseus is. He’s one of the most well known characters in literary history. People young and old know that he was the one who thought of the Trojan horse, that he led armies into victory, that he escaped from evil monsters, and that he eventually takes back his kingdom after twenty long years away from his home. However, no one knows who Odysseus the man was. They don’t know Odysseus’ true mind and heart. They don’t know the man who wept when no one was watching, the man who knew that all his friends would die, the man who hid under the mask of a fearless warrior. They only know the hero, the dashing and witty King of Ithaca that receives his great reward at the end. The true nature is concealed that only a few can see. …show more content…
However, everyone starts off as a different person before they enter the battlefield. Before the “Odyssey” took place, Odysseus fought in the Trojan war for ten years. During the war, he was looked up upon with respect since he was one of the most fearsome warriors in all of Greece. However, he was also very intelligent which initially helped the Greeks win the war by creating the Trojan Horse and attracting the goddess Athena as his patroness. Even in the Odyssey, Odysseus displays this quality whenever he is stuck in a lethal situation. This confirms that his mind is a far greater weapon than his strength, unlike other Greek heroes. When Odysseus and his men were trapped in a Cyclops’ den he uses his quick thinking to save himself and his …show more content…
However, he behaves like he is already lifeless, not like the valiant example his men would follow. This is because he has lost all of his comrades and he understands that he has no chance of returning home because Calypso will not release him unless by divine intervention. In the article “Back From War, but Not Really Home” by Caroline Alexander it states, “Odysseus’ own memories are more potent. Amongst the gracious Phaeacians, who give him hospitality toward the end of his hard voyage, he listens to the court poet sing of the Trojan War’s “famous actions/of men on that venture.” Odysseus, taking his mantle in his hands ‘drew it over his head and veiled his fine features/shamed for the tears running down his face’(Alexander p2).” Later on in the story, Odysseus lands on the island of Phaiakians after Calypso releases him. The Phaiakians generously welcome Odysseus, oblivious of who the stranger really is. During his visit on the island, Odysseus requests a song about the Trojan War. According to Alexander’s article, Odysseus breaks down and weeps at the mention of his friends who died in war. This is not bizarre among modern day veterans who return home. Many get into drugs and alcohol in order to drown their worries and fears away. Also, many veterans return with PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which makes it exceedingly arduous to continue in civilian life. According to a life testimony from US war

Show More