Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

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Everyone has their own definitions of a hero. The novel titled The Odyssey by Homer is about Odysseus who goes through intense trials to get back home to his family. Although Odysseus has made some selfish decisions, he cares for his crew and faces his trials. Odysseus saves his crew many times. After the crew eats the lotus and forgets all their memory of going home, Odysseus “brings them back, back to the hollow ships” (Homer 1). Odysseus could have left them, but he drags them back. Instead of leaving them, he saves their lives, even though they refused his help. Additionally, after Odysseus and the crew gets stuck in the cave from the cyclops, he thinks of a way to “escape from death for [his] crew
[himself] as well” (Homer 6). This emphasizes on the fact that he puts the crew lives before his. Heroes are often selfless and put others before themselves. Therefore a hero saves lives. …show more content…
In the Monomyth by Joseph Campbell, it discusses about the hero’s journey. According to Campbell, Stage 8 of the Monomyth states that the hero “confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life”. A hero does the right thing even if it’s the harder choice. This emphasizes on the fact that no one wants to face their fear but Odysseus did. For example when he put his armor on and grabs his weapons, he then “marches out on the half-deck” (Homer 4). This reveals that Odysseus decides to fight with his men. Instead of cowering away and staying below deck, he chooses to conquer his fear of death with his crew members and fight Scylla. Thus, Odysseus encounters obstacles but overcomes them same as a hero

Odysseus: A Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

think that being a hero means being strong and having many abilities. But heroism is more than just being strong, being a hero is about being brave, honest, intelligent, and caring. Such heroes can be found in both mythology and modern society. For example, in Homer's poem The Odyssey, Odysseus was determined as a hero not because he was strong, but because he was a real leader, he was smart and caring. Odysseus, the main character in The Odyssey, should be considered a hero because he puts his…

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Odysseus: A Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

The Odyssey by Homer is about perseverance and tenacity for love. This epic poem reveals that a hero is one who remains faithful and calm while enduring and overcoming obstacles, which eventually creates a stronger and better person. While some believe Odysseus falls short of being a hero due to his weaknesses, his bravery and commanding aura overpower any insufficiency he may portray as a character. Odysseus is a character who demonstrates bravery through Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. Accordingly…

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Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

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,…

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Odysseus: The Heroic Hero Of Homer's The Odyssey

Homer’s The Odyssey follows the titular king of Ithaca, Odysseus. In the epic poem, Odysseus is returning home from fighting in the Trojan war. While on this journey home, Odysseus begins to show his true nature. Not to convinced by these so-called “heroics”. Homer’s “hero” Odysseus is nothing of the sort: he is an incompetent leader, prideful, unwise, and is not a hero. For a man with the title, “king of Ithaca” His leadership is not on par with that of someone held to such high esteem. In the…

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Odysseus As An Epic Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

defines an epic hero. The main character of Homer's The Odyssey is a well-known example of this. Odysseus is a well-respected man and through his trials we see heroism shine through. Human characteristics depicted throughout the many trials Odysseus faced makes him an epic hero. Odysseus shows his cunningest the most throughout the book. The man of twists and turns tends to use his tricks and craftiness to get what he wants, however, that does not go as planned in the first trial. Odysseus becomes very…

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Odysseus As A True Hero In Homer's Odyssey

In Homer’s epic The Odyssey, a hero is defined by extraordinary abilities that they possess throughout seemingly impossible situations. Odysseus is repeatedly in what appears to be knowing situations, and not only does he overcome them, but helps his family, his men, and himself. It is his loyalty to his friends, bravery, and clever strategies that allow him to be recognized as the true hero, and restore peace in Ithaca making his broken family whole again. Odysseus puts aside his personal needs…

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Odysseus: The Tragic Hero Of Homer's Odyssey

the egotistical, selfish, and cunning Odysseus. Odysseus, although selfish, was brave and ventured all around the world in search of his home after he fought and won the Trojan War. The Odyssey was one of the first hero’s journey plot lines ever made and recorded, and so we get to see how Homer’s rendition of this fantastic journey represents this egotistical king as rightfully epic hero. It’s safe to say he went to hell and back, literally. Book 11 of the Odyssey states, “-and my neck was broken away…

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Odysseus As The Modern Hero In Homer's The Odyssey

Oftentimes, when the word “hero” is mentioned or thought of, the attributes of strength, bravery, and superhuman powers automatically come to mind. However, this concept of a hero is old. In modern days, the definition of a hero has changed from a superhuman figure, to a person who possesses the traits of selflessness and forgiveness. In Homer's well known epic, The Odyssey, he portrays the out of date idea of an epic hero as a figure who was helped or harmed by the gods and contains superhuman strength…

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Why Odysseus Is A Hero In Homer's Odyssey

heroes. It is during the hard times when the ‘hero’ within us is revealed”. Odysseus is a character in Homer’s The Odyssey that during hard times does not demonstrate heroism. Odysseus is a zero because he is a horrid leader, he’s a fickle lover, and he is a prevaricator. Odysseus is the most horrid of leaders. Before he even gets home his whole crew dies because he fails to show how important it is to listen to him. Take a look at what Circe tells Odysseus, “Leave the beasts unharmed, your mind set…

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Odysseus As A Hero In Homer's Odyssey

Is Odysseus a hero in the Odyssey? In the Epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus is traveling back from the Trojan War. He has to fight creatures and travel to several different islands to get back to his kingdom in Ithaca. Odysseus fights a cyclops when he is going to the several islands. I think Odysseus is a hero when he fights the cyclops. When Odysseus travels to the cyclops’ island, he and his men intrude his cave. His crew eats his food and drinks his wine. The cyclops then comes in and he barricades…

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