...How would you feel if you were away from your family for twenty years? Odysseus is the main character in Homers epic poem. The great Odysseus king of Ithica was sent to Troy to fight in the Trojan War. Throughout the poem Odysseus exhibits arrogance, intelligence, and courage on his journey home to Ithica. Everyone knows that Odysseus has courage considering that he and his army defeated Troy during the Trojan War. For example is when Odysseus had to go to Hades and sacrifice a ram to be able to find his way home. Also another example is when Odysseus gave Polyphemus wine to get him drunk so he and his men could stab him in the eye. Because Polyphemus is the only one that could let them out because a massive boulder was in the way of the opening to get out. Those are just two of the many ways that shows how much courage that Odysseus has....
Words: 521 - Pages: 3
...In Homer’s The Odyssey, the author tells us of a magnificent story of lust, deceit, greed, and heroism. The Odyssey is a display of a journey of determination, willpower, patience, and virtue. The author tells the tale of Odysseus, on his voyage home to Ithaka. This is happening after the end of the Trojan War. Odysseus, the main character, goes through a series of many unforeseen trials and tribulations in this exemplary journey. This exemplifies his character and displays him as a hero in the eyes of the audience. During these different happenings, Odysseus makes decisions that do not correspond to his character. Odysseus is displayed as not only a hero but also as a good leader to his men. Throughout all their trials such as the Sirens, Polyphemus (the cyclops), and the enchantress Circe, Odysseus is displayed as clever, patient, cunning, and fearless. Odysseus made decisions not only for himself but also for his men as well. For example, he did not leave his men on the island of the Lotus Eaters when they clearly had no desire to go back to Ithaca; he knotted them onto the boat and left the island. He was determined to get home with as many of his men as he possibly could, though they repeatedly disobeyed him. Odysseus is one of history's greatest leaders and this is a vital part of what makes him such an epic hero Another characteristic that stand out and makes Odysseus a hero is his ability to overcome his obstacles in order to reach his goal. Odysseus is faced by many...
Words: 955 - Pages: 4
...Surprising fact of heroism is not all heroes have to have powers or a ability to go out and save someone. Merriam Webster says that ‘ when you think of heroism, we might think of a great act of bravery’. But being a hero is more like bravery, courage, facing danger, and putting others first in tragic moments. Eventually being a hero isn't someone with a suit or a power it is someone that has the heart and courage to save someone. In Abraham Lincoln's life he is brought up as being a hero because he is brave and fought for the ones in his country. What makes Abraham Lincoln brave is he served for the sixteenth president. Also Abraham Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War—its bloodiest war until he was assassinated. As Abraham Lincoln being a hero makes him brave because brave is in the definition of hero and not just that he had courage also.Abraham Lincoln is brave and is a symbol of heroism....
Words: 561 - Pages: 3
...Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus exhibits his most prominent heroic trait of courage, but unfortunately, also demonstrates the human characteristic of arrogance. Even though Odysseus is seen as a hero, he has bad qualities too. Odysseus has the two main qualities of courage and arrogance which he demonstrates while fighting the cyclops and traveling throughout the seas with his crew. Homer exhibits these traits all throughout the story by presenting Odysseus as a war like hero with no flaws, when further throughout the story you are able to see all of Odysseus most human like qualities. . Odysseus has many characteristics that he portrays all throughout the book of the Odyssey. A couple of his most prominent heroic qualities are courage...
Words: 1027 - Pages: 5
...The dauntless odyssey The odyssey Translated by Robert Fitzgerald is an epic about the trojan war and all the obstacles Odysseus faced for 10 years to return to his loving and beautiful Penelope. Facing multiple problems like a crowd of suitors determined to take what is his, not having any support from the Gods but yet always determined to return home An epic hero possesses the character traits most valued by the society which they are in. Like for example physical strength, mental quickness, bravery, and respect. Which Odysseus portrays all these at one point or multiple times throughout the story To the greeks, courage was the ability that a strong more solid had.Odysseus displays the trait of courage multiple times...
Words: 1247 - Pages: 5
...is no doubt that a good story like The Odyssey by Homer includes the major emotional theme of love. The idea of love is emphasized throughout The Odyssey in a variety of different ways: Romantic love, familial love, and love within a helping hand of someone. These types of love all come together in perfect harmony to make The Odyssey the amazing story that it is. In life we often look and search for someone to share the love and journey with. Odysseus and Penelope’s strong and powerful relationship was no different when it came to a pure representation of love. Their relationship stayed strong throughout all the hardships they both faced. Odysseus was gone on a journey for over two decades,...
Words: 1246 - Pages: 5
...During Wasdin’s time as a Navy Seal he was a good fighter in combat and always chose not to give up no matter the consequences for example, “Wasdin was awarded the silver star medal, and the purple heart award for his outstanding actions against the terrorists in Mogadishu” (Farrar). Wasdin did an outstanding job in this battle thus being awarded these medals for his heroic actions. Howard also was a very mentally strong person even though he was hurt he didn’t care, “When Howard was defending the U.S. in Somalia he was badly wounded and was forced to retire” (Friscolanti). Howard Was forced to retire he did not chose, he was forced because he was so badly wounded. He loved going into combat and fighting to keep the Country safe. Also the awards he earned in Mogadishu were because of his skill set of a great warrior, and leading his team to...
Words: 1115 - Pages: 5
...Ashley N. Arvie English 2315-02 Dr. Emily E. Stelzer 15 September 18 Learnings from the Great Wanderings, Book 10: Circe Instinct, united with courage, obedience and wisdom, rooted in a reverence for the supernatural gods (polytheistic or The Greek Pantheon) or God (monotheistic), is an assured formula for victory and triumph when faced with destitution and crisis in life. This ideology rings true for ancient Greeks as well as modern day Christians and humans alike. Throughout the exploit on the Aeaean Island, the home of Circe, hero, Odysseus and his men were forced to utilize both innate and acquired tactics to advance to the next episode in their journey home. The reader is inescapably presented with examples of the king and his crew displaying the powerful characteristics of instinct, courage, obedience and wisdom as god-fearing men. Odysseus shows his fear of the gods most consistently through trust, though it is many times accompanied with disturbing obstacles. HEROIC CHARACTERISTICS AND LESSONS LEARNED After two days and two nights of a restless breather in their journey, upon sunrise, Odysseus immediately and instinctively sought a sign of human industry. (Odyssey 10.161) The irrefutable necessity of food and rest presented itself, though coupled with uncertainty of who or what may be encountered, brave Odysseus presses onward. The noble warrior and his countrymen are obligated to exude faith in the gods and themselves while diving into the unknown, yet again...
Words: 1533 - Pages: 7
...The Odyssey is an epic poem written by Homer. The Odyssey is about the ten year journey of Odysseus trying to get home. He faces many challenges but eventually makes it back home. An epic poem must have a epic hero, plot, setting, archetypes, and themes. The Odyssey has all of these characteristics. The three that are the most present are epic plot, archetypes, and epic themes. Epic plot is a very present in The Odyssey. Epic plot consists of a long journey with many complcations. Throughout Odysseus’ long journey, he faces many challenges and peril. One instance of epic plot is that in the ninth book where Odysseus encounters the cyclops, Polyphemus. Polyphemus traps him inside his cave. Odysseus uses his intuition to get out of the cave. Another instance of epic plot is in the twenty-second book during the mass killing of the suitors. Divine intervention occurs on the behalf of Odysseus. “Athena’s presence becomes known to all, as the shape of her shield becomes visible above the hall” (1260,1261). Athena interferes by protecting Odysseus from the suitors’ arrows. Epic plot can also be...
Words: 605 - Pages: 3
...In Homer's the odyssey there is a character named Odysseus. Odysseus goes on an amazing journey and along his way he goes through many things that mold him into an epic hero. Odysseus also proves his heroism through his behavior. During the story Odysseus often presents us with his great intelligence, his superhuman strength, and also his great leadership and bravery. However though Odysseus does not always act like a hero and does immoral things but when the time is right, the true heroic side of him will come out and we will see how heroic Odysseus really is. Odysseus is a true epic hero and has the the personal characteristics to prove it. Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus presents us with examples of his superhuman strength. That is characteristic...
Words: 843 - Pages: 4
...of transcendetality. Two great authors from the Western civilization that take part of a modern literary culture that is characterized for its epic stories and epic characters that follow along the definition of an epic hero. An epic hero is a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events. Dante’s Aligheri’s Inferno and Homer’s The Odyssey respectively have two characters that fulfill what is like to be recognized as a brave and noble character. Throughout both poems, we can see how each character has unique qualities that make them outstand and set them up as a leader, but at the same time, they have the flaws of any human being. It is clear when a character overcomes the status of any human being and sets the lead as a hero. An important trait of an epic hero is the fact that starts a journey; it may be of a personal matter, such as Dante, or of societal matter, like Odysseus. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is a war hero travelling home after a period of twenty years. In this epic, Odysseus is brought out as a hero with superhuman courage. In most cases, he has been shown fighting with supernatural forces. One characteristic of this journey that is different from Dante is that the hero in this epic fights against external forces. Odysseus faces many challenges while traveling home. To begin with, he is cast on an island that is surrounded by waters. Some situations appear to have no immediate solution as one is surrounded...
Words: 2145 - Pages: 9
...Ian Warren Mrs. Barber English 10 14 November, 2016 Odysseus As An Epic Hero To most people, a hero is a strong, brave person with an amazing costume. Heroes usually have super-powers and are constantly saving people. However in the novel The Odyssey by Homer an epic hero is a character with great bravery and courage to do the tasks that might not be very easy. Odysseus definitely defines these requirements. He is on a long quest to get back home and faces many monsters and deadly situations. Throughout the Odyssey, while facing many obstacles and distractions, Odysseus must be brave and make courageous choices to make it home. A example of a great monster Odysseus comes upon was the Cyclops Polyphemus. Odysseus was trapped in the...
Words: 1275 - Pages: 6
...hero is a larger-than-life figure who undertakes great journeys and performs deeds requiring remarkable strength and cunning. In the “Odyssey” by Homer, Odysseus is a man who is traveling home to Ithaca after 10 years until the end of the Trojan War and comes upon many thrilling, dangerous adventures along the way. The heroic traits of Odysseus in “The Odyssey” by Homer can be compared to those of three contemporary heroes. An epic hero shows courage. Odysseus shows courage when risks his own life to visit Tiresias, a blind prophet, in the underworld. Circe, the witch of the land of Aeolus, informs Odysseus that he must visit the underworld and hear “ … a prophecy from the ghost of Tiresias.” Odysseus, familiar with the idea that he might not be able to return back to Earth,...
Words: 758 - Pages: 4
...Odysseus of Ithaca: Famed or Fraud? Homer’s Odyssey tells the tale of the Trojan War hero Odysseus’s return home to his land of origin, Ithaca. Homer describes Odysseus as being one of, or possibly the greatest hero in all of Greece’s history. He is characterized as being a fearless, heroic man, who, with divine assistance, bests even the greatest monsters, and overcomes the most troublesome and life-threatening situations that he encounters, or the gods throw at him. However, if not for the assistance given to him by Athena, or any other divine figure, Odysseus’s journey would most likely have not worked out in his favor as it did, and he most likely would have perished within the very first books of The Odyssey. If divine assistance is what gave Odysseus his spark, courage and abilities, then are his abilities really justified? Who is the real Odysseus of Ithaca? Throughout many instances of The Odyssey, Odysseus is seen as this “almighty figure of excellence,” that can “never be beat or conquered.” However, despite the recognition that Odysseus deserves for accomplishing most of his feats, most of the work and assistance given to him was crafted by the goddess Athena; who constantly monitors Odysseus’s every move and protects him throughout the course of the tale. For example, on page 175 of the text, when Odysseus confronts the Phaecian princess Nausicaa, Athena personally makes him appear less menacing and worn. By doing this, Athena guaranteed that Odysseus would...
Words: 1149 - Pages: 5
...The removal of the immortals from the Odyssey, would – despite supposedly in some sense improve the poem – essentially weaken the poem and the story as a whole. Whilst the removal of the gods would provide Odysseus to act of his own accord, and allow the audience to see how Odysseus can cope without the interruption of the gods. Nevertheless, without immortals in the Odyssey, the poem would ultimately lack a crucially exciting fact of narrative and would look very different as a story of a man trying to achieve his nostos, after the Trojan War. Ultimately, it must be acknowledged that without the immortal gods, the Odyssey would most likely not exist as the Trojan War would not have happened. The Trojan War began due to Paris’ decision to give the golden apple ‘for the most beautiful’ to Aphrodite (instead of Athene or Hera) as she offered him Helen as his wife. At the wedding of Menelaus and Helen, Paris made love to Helen and they left to sail to Troy, thus initiating the Trojan War. It is because of the Trojan War that the Odyssey is taking place. Odysseus only underwent the travel and trials of the Odyssey in order to make his way home from the Trojan War to Ithaca. This essentially means that without the immortal gods, the Odyssey would not even exist, and the story of Odysseus would be very different to the one told by Homer in the Odyssey. Another key way in which the removal of the gods would weaken the poems integrity is that a crucially exciting, entertaining element...
Words: 1181 - Pages: 5
