Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

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One morning when I was in 2nd grade my teacher asked my class to answer the question, “What is a hero?” I raised my hand and said, “A princess!” I knew exactly what to say. Now it’s a lot harder for me to answer that question. I have to think about what the word hero really means to me. When I was younger, I thought of superheroes and princesses, but now I think of people who have greatly impacted the world. Today, a lot of people look up to superstars like Michael Jordan and Taylor Swift. Sure, those people may have influenced their lives and led them to follow their dreams, but for me, they don’t strike me as being a real hero. Also, when I think of a hero, it is someone who puts others' needs before their own. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus …show more content…
Odysseus, not thinking about the safety of his men, continued to hurt the Cyclops anyway. While he may have done some great things, he wasn’t thinking of others. According to Webster's Dictionary, heroism means “heroic conduct especially as exhibited in fulfilling a high purpose or attaining a noble end” (“Merriam-Webster”). Harriet Tubman and Abraham Lincoln are great examples of true heroes. They are both good examples of being a selfless person and achieving extraordinary things. A hero is someone who puts others before themselves and changes the world for the better. Today, the word hero is often confused or used in the wrong way. People commonly mix up calling a person a hero and calling a person a …show more content…
Superstars do great things, but they are not heroes. Heroes forever change the world for the better, and their impact can never be forgotten or replaced. Someone who I think fits the definition of hero is one of my doctors. Dr. Appiagyei is my endocrinologist. He helps me manage my Type 1 Diabetes and always makes sure that everything is going well for me. He also does not just help me, he helps lots of other people. He dedicates his life to helping others. He spends his days choosing to help others. When I was diagnosed, he reassured me that everything was going to be ok and that his knowledge helped me live my best life. Because of him, I’m able to live. I have a happy and healthy life with my disease because of Dr. Appiagyei and I don’t think there is anything more heroic than that. In fact, I remember last year I was struggling and having problems with my blood sugar, but I didn't have an appointment scheduled. My mom called and asked if she could schedule a last minute appointment. Without hesitation, he said I could come in the next day. He found time in his already busy schedule to go out of his way just to help
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