Odysseus Epic Hero

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An epic, commonly a long narrative poem that connects events in history or folklore. An epic hero has many attractive qualities that allow them to become a larger-than-life person who embodies cultural values. The cultural values that define an epic hero tend to be favorable to the character, but to become an epic hero, there must be flaws to establish a limit. In The Odyssey, Homer provides Odysseus as an excellent example of an epic hero. Odysseus faces many obstacles while returning to his kingdom, Ithaca, such as the encounter with the fearsome Cyclops, Polyphemus, his brush with the Sirens, and his meetings with goddesses. Throughout the twenty years away from Ithaca, he demonstrates the different qualities to become an epic hero. Odysseus’ intelligence allows him to outwit …show more content…
When Odysseus finds Teiresias, he also discovers the ghost of one of his deceased crew, Elpenor. Elpenor pleads with Odysseus to return to Circe’s island and give him a proper burial so he can continue his journey into the afterlife. Odysseus fulfills Elpenor’s request and further shows him becoming an epic hero. Furthermore, when Odysseus washes ashore on Calypso’s island, he accepts her hospitality but refuses her offer of immortality because he wishes to return to his wife: “The dangerous nymph Calypso lives and sings there, in her beauty, and she received me, loved me” (991-993). After years of wishing to return to Ithaca, Odysseus momentarily indulges the idea before regaining his wits and ultimately refusing the offer. Due to his refusal, Calypso traps him on her island for five years in hopes of changing his mind, but the gods force her to set him free. She watches as Odysseus leaps at the chance of freedom and sails away, unable to stop him. Odysseus' commitment to his family is commendable, after twenty years he still wishes for his family which only adds to his character and defines him as an epic

Odysseus Epic Hero

makes a person a hero? Is it their selflessness, physical strength or intelligence, or perhaps even morality and perseverance? Whatever your ideas are, there is no debate on whether or not Odysseus is an epic hero. In the Odyssey, Odysseus works to return to his homeland of Ithaca, but is stalled by the wrath of gods and monsters. On his journey home, he faces challenges that are seen as hopeless cases, but he manages to overcome everything in his path. Odysseus is an epic hero for the feats he has…

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Odysseus As An Epic Hero

Odysseus is a classic epic hero. Odyssey by homer is an epicmythological story about a man who had to leave for war but struggled with the battle of getting back home to his family,and defeated his enemies that wanted to take everything he had from him.in the odyssey homer clearly develops odysseus as an epic hero.he is capable of great strength and courage. He travels over a vast setting,and receives supernatural help. Through his great strength and courage he used his knowledge to deft a cyclops…

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Odysseus Is An Epic Hero

Imagine the voice brightens up your eyes, then leading you to your death. In the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus experiences this along with many other challenges. Odysseus, a Trojan hero who has been away from home for the past ten years; starts his journey back home. Odysseus’ leadership skills, resourcefulness, and his compassion serve him through many challenges which further prove he is an epic hero.…

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Odysseus Epic Hero

Odysseus: An Epic Hero There are many different types of heroes in literature. One example of a hero is an epic hero. An epic hero is a loyal and brave warrior who goes on a quest or a journey taking the values of his society with him. Furthermore, an epic hero also has some negative traits, including arrogance. One epic hero in particular plays a role in The Odyssey by Homer. This epic hero is Odysseus. Odysseus is an example of an epic hero. First of all, Odysseus is an epic hero because…

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Odysseus Epic Hero

protagonist of a story is flawed or valiant. When Odysseus of Ithaca finally goes home, the readers see him change from a flawed human to an epic hero. When Lord Odysseus, King of Ithaca, crosses the sea to Troy for battle and war, only his newborn and wife are in mind to keep him alive. After he creates the Trojan Horse and helps Greece win the war with Athena by his side, he and his hundreds of men travel from mythical island to mythical island. In the epic poem The Odyssey written by Homer, the readers…

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Odysseus: An Epic Hero

Odysseus proves himself to be an epic hero in many ways such as that he was cunning to act as if his ship has been destroyed. This makes him cunning because if he told the Cyclops where his ship was then he would most likely destroy it. This makes Odysseus cunning or cleaver because he knew he could not tell the Cyclops were his ship was, so he though fast and he was smart to do so.…

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Odysseus An Epic Hero

“A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown.”(Tom Hanks) Odysseus is a hero because he protects and fights for his country, he ventures on a long and perilous journey, and then he battles the natural and supernatural. Even though he might be an epic hero he may not seem like one because he doesn’t keep things in moderation but goes to the extreme. That is what most people consider a tragic flaw because it brings him grief but they also brought him fame and glory. Odysseus struggled…

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The Odysseus Is An Epic Hero

The Odyssey by Homer is an epic about Odysseus , a classic epic hero , who is unable to get home for almost 20 years , until he learns that he needs god . Through his great strength , I can infer that Odysseus is an epic hero because he fought for over 10 years . He was brave , & he blinded the guard at the gate . I also can infer that Odysseus vast travels because he had to travel to go to war . He had to travel back home . He was lost , so he had to travel to eventually get lost . He traveled…

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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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The Controversy Of Odysseus As An Epic Hero

One of the most viewed epic hero's still is being argued on upon if he truly is an epic hero or a selfish man who who does things only for himself. In recent years people have begun to doubt if Odysseus is truly an epic hero an epic hero. Odysseus is a very controversial, some see him as a strong man some see him as a selfish man. Odysseus is an epic hero he has an amazing strength, he is a strong leader and has the ability to sympathize and care for his men. No man possesses the sheer body strength…

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