Odysseus As A True Hero In Homer's Odyssey

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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 to help a friend, even if it means prolonging the time before he can reunite with his family in Ithaca. After ten strenuous years of war, Odysseus puts his personal needs aside, and turns back to go help a friend, risking his life again. Odysseus turning back reflects his loyalty. He would have finally gone home to Ithaca, where he had family, fame and land, but instead he put everything aside to console Agamemnon. It is only Odysseus who “sailed them back, the flexible, wily king, veering over to Agamemnon now to sure his fortunes up” (3.181-182), while the rest of the two fleets of ships continued on home.
By choosing this ulterior journey, Odysseus could not set foot in Ithaca for twenty …show more content…
“God-Like Odysseus” (5.13-14) takes all of them on in battle, all the while not revealing himself to Penelope, or the suitors. Odysseus is finally home and must take back his wife...“With that he trained a stabbing arrow on Antinous” (22.8), his land, and his dignity. Odysseus did not expect to come home to a perfect life just the way he left it, he prepares for battle, and defends not only his wife but himself from a life of misery. Odysseus steps up to the plate and kills all the suitors, getting his revenge after all the long years he has been gone. Without his clever strategies, he would not be able to handle that throughout his journey, the odds were against

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Odysseus As A True Hero In Homer's Odyssey

In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus goes through many challenges on his way home from Troy. He is fated with hardships his way home from war as a consequence of the blinding of Poseidon's son. He is away for 20 years until, with the help of Athena, he arrives home. Some say that he is a true hero by being able to come above and conquer his difficulties and make it back to Ithaka, his home. Odysseus would not be the “hero” he is depicted as without Athena though. Athena helps him all along the way allowing…

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Penelope In The Odyssey

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How Is Odysseus A Hero

Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey, follows Odysseus, a heroic figure whose journey shows the essence of heroism. Homer’s Odyssey has been recognized as one of the oldest works in Western literature, and it has influenced many works following it. More often than not, a story needs a hero, and Odysseus is considered one of the first. The qualities he possesses aid him in overcoming numerous challenges, navigating dangerous waters, and ultimately succeeding in his mission. Throughout the epic poem, Odysseus…

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Essay on Response 1

result of development and growth of oneself. The identity of a character in an epic play can change in the course of the story and ultimately alter the story itself, just as the title character changes in Homer’s epic, The Odyssey. The protagonists in the story, the men of the house of Odysseus, have dramatic and subtle changes throughout the epic that alter the way the plot moves. Odysseus’s attitude in the beginning of the epic displays that of a civilization with no sense of respect for the gods…

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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 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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Odyssey Hero's Journey

as Odysseus labored and achieved" (4, 119-120). Odysseus is the main character in a series of tragic events; the hero. Odysseus is the captain of his crew and leader of his army. He snakes through every presented hardship. Odysseus wants to go back home to his loyal wife and son. The monomyth, or the hero’s journey, is a cyclical quest or adventure undertaken by a hero. Monomyths contain specific parts in order to recognize one from reading text. The call to adventure is what drives the hero on…

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How Is Odysseus An Epic Hero

Monica Mulligan Odysseus is an epic hero because he undertakes tasks no one else dare attempts, and because he takes a long journey and barely makes it home alive. In Homer’s, The Odyssey, we are introduced to Odysseus, the, main character. Napoleon once said, “True heroism consists in being superior to the ills of life, in whatever shape they may challenge us to combat”. Napoleons quote is relative to the odyssey because Odysseus overcame any challenge that stood in his way so that he could get…

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Penelope In Homer's The Odyssey

Homer’s poem The Odyssey is an exciting tale of a hero going through the trails of life to get back to his loving wife and son. The hero of the story is Odysseus. Soon after the birth of his son Telemachus to fight in Trojan War, leaving his wife Penelope to take care of the palace, his parents, and his child. He was held captive for 7 years by Calypso, and with the help of Athena,Zeus, and Hermes he escaped and began his journey. Starting with the Cyclops, continuing to Circe, and losing most…

Words 653 - Pages 3