Odysseus As A True Hero In Homer's Odyssey

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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 him to get home safe and sound. She helped him leave Kalypso’s Island, get home, and plan his way home. If she did not step in to assist Odysseus in getting back to his family in Ithaka he would not be there. First, Athena helps Odysseus leave Kalypso’s Island, Ogygia. At the beginning of his journey Odysseus sails with his crew past many islands each with a challenge of their own; the difficulties prove too much for his crew and leave him the only one alive. Kalypso saves him and gives him a place to stay. He stays there for seven years without ever trying to get back to his wife in Ithaka. It is not until Athena pleads with Zeus to get him home. “O Majesty, O Father of us all, if it is now please the blissful gods that Odysseus reach his home again, let the Wayfinder, Hermês, cross the sea to the island of Ogýgia; let him tell our fixed intent to the nymph with the pretty braids, and let the steadfast man depart for home”(Ⅰ,106-112). Athena is the deciding factor that allows him to go home. If he is a real hero he would at the least attempt to get home before seven …show more content…
She helped him tremendously by being the planner, motivation, and guardian of the whole trip. Odysseus went through a lot during his 10 years traveling home but it would not have been possible without the help of the grey eyed goddess. In conclusion, to be a hero you should be self motivated and do things on your

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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The True Hero Of Odysseus In Homer's Odyssey

According to George S. Patton Jr, “The real hero is the man who fights even though he is scared.” In the Odyssey, Odysseus tries to go home, but he can’t. For years because of the challenges along the way, he is challenged and faces all of them head-on. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus shows he is a hero because he undertakes impossible tasks, can solve problems, and is smarter than other men. Odysseus shows he is a hero because he undertakes impossible tasks. Odysseus is about to out-face the suitors in…

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Penelope In The Odyssey

stories about a great war.” After a vast hero had seen the remarkable birth of his child, he embarked on a journey with his men to battle in a brutal and callous war. The Odyssey is a Greek epic written by Homer which captures the boundless journey of Odysseus, as he strived to return to Ithaca after battling in the Trojan War. Homer had been a prominent writer who expressed the legends and myths of Greek goddesses throughout his epic, The Odyssey. As Odysseus embarked on an endless journey filled with…

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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…

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