Odysseus As An Epic Hero In The Odyssey By Homer

In the epic poem The Odyssey written by Homer, there is a protagonist named Odysseus. He is trying to get home after a war, but he encounters several problems. As he attempts to avoid the obstacle he exhibits three traits of an epic hero. He shows bravery, intelligence and he even manages to show that he is caring. An epic hero needs to have bravery. In The Odyssey Odysseus says “‘I wished / to see the cave man, what he had to offer-- / no pretty sight, it turned out for my friends’” (9.171-173). Odysseus is saying that he wants to meet the cyclops before they go. It is a lot easier to take his things and leave before he even notices they are there, but Odysseus would rather interact with the cyclops even with the dangers it may cause. The story also says, “‘Cyclops, try some wine. / Here’s liquor to wash down your scraps of men. Taste it and see the kind of drink we carried under our planks / I meant it for an offering if you would help us home / But you are mad, unbearable, a bloody monster! / After this will any traveler come to see you?’” (9.296-303). This quote …show more content…
In the story, Odysseus tells his friends, “‘All hands aboard; / come, clear the beach and no one taste / the lotus, or you will lose your hope of home’” (9.103-105). He tells his companions this when they come upon the island of the lotus eaters. When someone eats a lotus plant they do not think it is important to return home anymore and Odysseus does not want his men to suffer this fate. Odysseus also helps his men escape from the cyclops cave,“‘I tied them silently together, twining / cords of willow from the ogre’s bed; / then slung a man under each middle one / to ride there safely shielded left and right’” (9.378-382). The quote is describing how he helps his men get safely under sheep so they can escape without the cyclops noticing. If Odysseus is not caring he would have let the men deal with escaping

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Odysseus As An Epic Hero In The Odyssey By Homer