Brains over Brawn Heroes are not born they are made. A true hero rises to the challenge when others back away. A true hero knows they must never ever give up and their dedication will save them in the end. It is what is inside their heart and head that really makes a hero. Let us look at the epic Odyssey by Homer. Look at Odysseus for example, he does not have laser vision or levitation powers nor does he have tremendous muscles or even huge brains. Odysseus is an everyman, he is one of us. There is a saying “our brain is greatest weapon one could ever have.” It takes guts to stand up to something that beyond our control; even something that 50 times our size. “Nothing is impossible, even the word says I’m possible.” (Audrey Hepburn, …show more content…
They stay awhile only to have a rude awaking when they learn the cave is inhabited by the Cyclops Polyphemus! Now, Polyphemus is nice at first, he is very welcoming and warm. Then as he closes the rock that covers the doorway to his cave, he becomes very hostile. He eats two of Odysseus’ men right on the spot! Odysseus then wants to avenge his men, and then he thinks that should not because Polyphemus is the only one strong enough to the move the rock in the doorway. Therefore, Odysseus waits until morning when Polyphemus opens the rock to pasteurize his sheep. While, Polyphemus is out of the cave, Odysseus comes up with a plan to defeat Polyphemus. He finds a wooden staff in the cave and hardens it in the fire. When Polyphemus returns, Odysseus gives Polyphemus some wine that he took from his ship from when he visited King Alcinous of the Phaeacian People. Polyphemus feeling jovial and cheerful asks Odysseus for his name and Odysseus replies that his name is ‘‘nohbdy”. So when Polyphemus falls asleep from intoxication, Odysseus and his remaining crew drive the red hot staff into Polyphemus’ only eye. Polyphemus wakes …show more content…
The Cruse stated that he was to find trouble at home if he got home. While Odysseus was gone, many then in Ithaca presumed Odysseus dead and asked for his wife Penelope, hand in marriage. But the suitors of Penelope were crooks, evil and have no respect for anyone but themselves. Odysseus needed a plan to win back his beloved Penelope and finally get to see his son Telemachus. After 20 long years, Odysseus finally gets to see his all grown up son, but see Telemachus doesn’t believe it is his father because at this point, Odysseus is disguised as a beggar with the help of Athena now that he’s home. Then to really prove Odysseus is himself to Telemachus, he becomes his actual self again. The two embrace and weep. Then, it all made sense to Odysseus, he now has a plan to defeat the suitors. Their plan is that Odysseus will enter his palace as a beggar and Telemachus will hide the suitors’ surplus arms where the suitors can’t actually reach them. With the remaining arms, they plan to kill all of the suitors. Then the next day Penelope has given up hope for Odysseus’ return, so she gets Odysseus bow from the storeroom and announces she will marry the suitor who string it and shot an arrow through a row of 12 axes. All the suitors fail at the contest. Then Odysseus as a beggar says he