Isabel Mendoza
English 12 S1
Anna Dowlen
12 May 2016
Odysseus the Hero
By definition, a hero is someone who is admired for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Odysseus represents the definition of an archetypal hero gorgeously merely from the fact that he receives super-natural help from the gods. He resembles his home (Ithaca) in the way that puts him as the main protagonist based upon his exceptional morals, which were considered to be boundless courage and respect for the gods and their traditions. With his outstanding qualities he is looked upon for guidance throughout the story as he tries to overcome the many obstacles that stand in his way as well.

Odysseus is an archetypal hero mainly from the fact that he receives help from the gods. For example, Euanthes who grants Odysseus in his trouble gifts that will get him and his crew the opportunity to regain their strength. He also receives help from an entity named Dawn. In a way this character represents Odysseus and almost foretells the struggles he will later be facing. In a section he introduces this entity, “Young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shone once more we all turned out, intrigued to tour the island.” From there we can see the struggles he faces with himself to overcome the many obstacles that Zeus inflicts on Odysseus in hopes to prevent his journey to go any further.

Another characteristic of an archetypal character is one in which all heroes contain a flaw that prevents them from moving on with their journey. In this story Odysseus contains other qualities such as arrogance, unfaithfulness, and stubbornness. With these qualities him and his crew are punished throughout the story. As in the epic, “will tell you. But you must give me a guest-gift as you've promised. Nobody—that's my name. Nobody— so my mother and father call me, all my friends.” Odysseus conceals his identity which puts him and his crew at risk in a matter of stubbornness and arrogance. With these flaws it shows the journey and his struggles with his crew and himself.

Overall, Odysseus’ strength to overcome the life threatening obstacles that follow him shows how he is worthy of a hero. He contains great qualities that lead his men through treacherous seas and lands they have never been. To the audience, Odysseus is someone who at the time of these great empires must have been a pronounced hero. He achieves his goals in a struggle that offers great entertainment.