what makes odysseus a hero essay

• The Odyssey
• Literature Notes
• The Odyssey at a Glance
• Poem Summary
• About The Odyssey
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Books 13-14
• Books 15-16
• Character Analysis
• Athena (Pallas)
• Polyphemus (the Cyclops) and King Alcinous
• Circe and Calypso
• Character Map
• Homer Biography
• Critical Essays
• Major Themes in The Odyssey
• Major Symbols in The Odyssey
• Literary Devices of The Odyssey
• Famous Quotes from Homer's The Odyssey
• Film Versions of Homer's The Odyssey
• Full Glossary for The Odyssey
• Essay Questions
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• Cite this Literature Note

Character Analysis Odysseus

Odysseus is a combination of the self-made, self-assured man and the embodiment of the standards and mores of his culture. He is favored by the gods and respected and admired by the mortals. Even the wrath of Poseidon does not keep him from his homecoming. He is confident that he represents virtue even when a modern audience might not be so sure. He is also a living series of contradictions, a much more complicated character than we would expect to find in the stereotypical epic hero. We can contrast Odysseus, for example, with the great warrior Achilles in The Iliad .

Achilles himself is not a two-dimensional stereotype. He has a tragic flaw, which can best be identified as hubris (an overbearing arrogance or misguided pride) as one of several distinguishing traits. But Achilles is a simpler character. According to the myth the Homeric Greeks would have known, Achilles was given a choice by the gods to live a short, glorious life full of excitement and heroism or a long, tranquil life with little recognition or fame. Achilles, of course, chose the glorious life; therefore, he achieves a kind of immortality through valor and intense, honest devotion to a cause.

Odysseus, in The Odyssey, is much more complicated. He lives by his wiles as well as his courage. He is an intellectual. Often he openly evaluates a situation, demonstrating the logic he employs in making his choices. When it proves effective, Odysseus lies (even to his own family), cheats, or steals in ways that we would not expect in an epic hero. Although he is self-disciplined (refusing to eat the lotus), his curiosity is sometimes the root of his trouble (as with the Cyclops).

He is willing to pay a price for knowledge; for example, he insists on hearing the Sirens' call, even though to do so, he must have himself excruciatingly strapped to the mast of his ship so that he cannot give in to the temptation. Odysseus can be merciful, as when he spares the bard Phemius, or brutal, as he seems when dealing with the dozen disloyal maidservants. He creates his own code of conduct through his adventures. He is deeper than Achilles, more contemplative, but still capable of explosive violence; he is almost certainly more interesting. It is easy to see why some critics like to call him the first "modern man."

Victory motivates Odysseus. He wants to return home and live well in Ithaca; as a result, every step along the way is another test, sometimes, another battle. His concern with victory is also cultural, as well as practical. In Homer's world, where there are no police or justice systems, might usually makes right. The strong prevail. Odysseus often has only two choices: death or victory. Even when Athena intervenes on his behalf, she often leaves ultimate success or failure up to Odysseus. During the battle with the suitors, for example, she could easily and quickly prevail; but she makes Odysseus earn the victory.

Appropriately, Odysseus' development as a character is complicated. He is, in every way, "the man of twists and turns" (1.1). While he does seem to grow throughout his wanderings, the reader should not look at each event as a one more learning experience for the hero. The Odyssey is not a lesson plan for growth; the episodes are not didactic examples of the importance of prudence or anything else.

When Odysseus left for Troy, he had already established his reputation as a hero. His participation in the war was crucial to the Greeks' victory. It was he who disguised himself as an old beggar and infiltrated the enemy. As Menelaus tells Telemachus in Book 4, it was Odysseus' legendary ruse of the Trojan horse that led to the defeat of Troy.

Certainly Odysseus does grow in wisdom and judgment throughout his ventures. His self-control while dealing with the suitors' insults is exemplary and contrasts, for example, with his earlier irresistible urge to announce his name to the Cyclops in Book 9. In other ways, however, he seems slow to learn. The most notable example being his difficulty in controlling his men. After the victory over the Cicones, Odysseus wisely wants to take the plunder and depart quickly (9.50). His men prefer to stay, leading to a defeat at the hands of reinforcements. When Aeolus grants the Greeks fair winds to Ithaca, Odysseus falls asleep within sight of home, enabling his suspicious, undisciplined crew to open the bag of ill winds and let loose a tempest that blows them off course. Again, on the island of the Sungod Helios, Odysseus' men disobey strict orders and feast on the sacred cattle when he goes inland to pray and falls asleep. The struggles Odysseus faces make his growth as a character more realistic and more credible because it is not simple or absolute.

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Why is Odysseus not a hero?

Odysseus, who is the main character of the book “The Odyssey” written by Homer, would fit the dictionary’s definition of a hero. Odysseus is a Greek warrior who is well known for his intelligence and strong character. However, Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense. Odysseus acted out of self-interest when he easily left his men behind to die on Calypso’s island without any remorse or guilt. Odysseus also constantly made decisions based upon what was best for Odysseus’s own life and that of his family without considering how it would affect others around him, such as his men.

Odysseus constantly lied throughout the course of the book to achieve what was best for himself at the time which contrasts with traditional heroes who are honest to a fault. Odysseus’s wife Penelope was the only person Odysseus trusted fully throughout their marriage, Odysseus constantly lied to her. Odysseus also never considered the feelings of his men by leaving them behind on Calypso’s island which contrasted with traditional heroes who are loyal to a fault. Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because he does not have morals or values that contrast with Homer’s “The Odyssey.”

Odysseus does not have morals since Odysseus leaves his men to die on Calypso’s island without feeling any guilt or remorse, Odysseus lies constantly to achieve what is best for Odysseus, Odysseus has no loyalty to anyone except Penelope. Odysseus also leaves every situation at the first sign of danger even if it means leaving someone behind who needs help such as when Odysseus left Polyphemus and his men behind after Odysseus blinding Polyphemus because he knew that if he waited until morning then Polyphemus would kill him and all of Odysseus’s men.

Why Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have the traditional Greek values of bravery, loyalty, and honesty. Odysseus’s intelligence is his only admirable trait in “The Odyssey.” Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because he does not have any traditional Greek values which define a hero. Odysseus is a liar and Odysseus leaves everyone behind at the first sign of danger which Odysseus does not have any loyalty to anyone, Odysseus also has no morals since Odysseus leaves his men on Calypso’s island without feeling any guilt or remorse. Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have any Greek heroic values which define a hero.

A true hero shows bravery when rescuing someone from harm such as when Achilles rescued Briseis from Agamemnon’s hands after he stole her from Achilles even though he knew that if he did this then Agamemnon would steal Achilles’s war prize Chryses ‘ daughter whom Agamemnon did steal and was angered at his actions. Odysseus never did any brave acts in Homer’s “The Odyssey,” Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have Greek heroic values which define a hero.

Odysseus also shows loyalty to Odysseus’s wife Penelope such as when Odysseus leaves every situation at the first sign of danger including leaving behind someone who needs help such as when Odysseus left Polyphemus and his men behind after Odysseus blinding Polyphemus because he knew that if he waited until morning then Polyphemus would kill him and all of Odysseus’s men.

Odysseus definitely does not have this because he kills people without any kind of remorse or guilt such as Odysseus’s father Laertes whom Odysseus kills with a poison arrow because Odysseus is angry at his father for not revealing Odysseus’ secrets which Odysseus had asked him not to. Odysseus also killed all of Penelope’s suitors whom Penelope rejected without any hesitation and after they were warned not to lay a hand on Odysseus ever again.

Odysseus does show this since Odysseus left Polyphemus behind when he knew that if he waited until morning then Polyphemus would kill him and all of Odysseus’ men. Odysseus’ intelligence is his only admirable trait in “The Odyssey.” Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have Greek heroic values which define a hero. Odysseus is not a true hero because Odysseus never showed any bravery, Odysseus never showed any loyalty to Odysseus’s wife Penelope, and Odysseus also killed people without any kind of remorse or guilt. Odysseus is definitely not a true hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have any Greek heroic values which define a true hero.

Odysseus is an interesting character in Greek mythology, but he is not a hero in the traditional sense. Odysseus lacks the traditional Greek values of bravery, loyalty, and honesty, which define a hero. Odysseus is intelligent, but his lack of morals and cowardice make him an unworthy hero. Odysseus is not a true hero in the traditional sense, and he does not have any Greek heroic values which define a true hero. Odysseus is an interesting character in Greek mythology, but he is not a hero in the traditional sense because he does not have any of the traditional Greek values which define a hero.

Odysseus is intelligent, but his lack of morals and cowardice make him an unworthy hero. Odysseus is definitely not a true hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have any of the Greek heroic values which define a true hero. Odysseus is an interesting character in Greek mythology, he falls short of being called a hero in the traditional sense since Odysseus does not have any of the Greek heroic values which define a true hero.

Odysseus is interesting, Odysseus might prove himself worthy to be called Odysseus is Odysseus in Homer’s “The Odyssey,” but he certainly cannot be called Odysseus is a hero in the traditional sense. Odysseus’ intelligence is his only admirable trait, Odysseus definitely lacks morals and Odysseus never showed bravery which is all traits highly attributed to heroes. Odyssey, but he certainly cannot be called Odysseus intelligence is his only admirable trait, Odysseus intelligence is his only admirable trait in “The Odyssey.”

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Odysseus Is A Hero Argumentative Essay

Homer wrote many great poems, one of which being “The Odyssey.” Homer’s main characters were those who are to be considered heroes. Odysseus especially is one of them. Being the person that he was, Odysseus displayed many of the values and qualities the Greeks believed. These characteristics include Glory, Intelligence, Loyalty, and superhuman abilities (i.e. Super Strength, Really high I.Q. Level.) Throughout Homer’s great poem, Odysseus, who is the main character, displays all of these traits, and more. Odysseus is a hero.

Intelligence, one of the many things some struggle to present appears to come easily to Odysseus, as on page 569, “My name is Nohbdy: mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nohbdy.” Here, we see Odysseus and his intelligence deceive the Cyclops, in doing so, they manage an escape from the horrible beast, Polyphemus. Had Odysseus not been so intelligent, he and his men most certainly would have died in the cave of the Cyclops.

Loyalty, giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution, is something not everyone can be or do. Odysseus however, is not everyone, he displays loyalty by never giving up on his journey home to Ithaca, where he is King, page 574, “Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca!” Odysseus here is shouting to the Cyclops that he is from Ithaca, and is now journeying back to his home. This shows loyalty, as he has continuing his voyage home, even after all of the challenges, and extenuating circumstances he has been put through.

Glory, which one can feel after the sensation of completing a noble advancement or challenge. Odysseus was glorified when he came home. As stated on page 610, when he addresses the suitors, who have overrun his house, “You yellow dogs, you thought I’d never make it home from the land of Troy. You took my house to plunder….” This dialogue is showing how Odysseus has glory in the tone of his voice, upon returning home and discovering his wife was being overrun by the suitors. This is a moment of Glory, as one would feel glorious after proving people wrong and achieving something others would believe to be impossible.

Some may argue that Odysseus is not a hero, because of his arrogance, or his bluntness. But they forget one thing, the good outweighs the bad in Odysseus’ case, as he fulfills his destiny, returns home, and saves his wife from an unwanted marriage. However, through these pieces of evidence, Odysseus has shown that he has the characteristics, that of a hero. In conclusion, Odysseus is a hero.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Odysseus — Is Odysseus A Hero: Main Character of Homer’s Epic Poem

Is Odysseus a Hero: Main Character of Homer’s Epic Poem

• Categories: Homer Odysseus

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Words: 420 |

Published: Nov 19, 2018

Words: 420 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

In summary, Odysseus's heroism in "The Odyssey" is a multifaceted embodiment of the Greek ideal of a hero. His heroic stature is built on a foundation of enduring trials, unparalleled cleverness, and formidable physical strength. These qualities make him not just a hero but the quintessential representation of Greek culture and values. Odysseus's resolute dedication to his crew, his capacity to surmount adversity, and his ability to strategize in challenging circumstances collectively establish him as the epitome of an epic hero within the rich tapestry of ancient Greek literature. His character transcends the pages of "The Odyssey," leaving an indelible mark on the timeless definition of heroism.

One of the key markers of an epic hero is their ability to confront and surmount daunting challenges. Odysseus's journey is fraught with perilous trials that test his mettle. For instance, he had to make the difficult decision to leave the land of the lotus-eaters, despite his crew's enchantment with the tranquil locale. His resolve is evident when he states, "But I brought them back, back to the hollow ships, and streaming tears – I forced them…". This episode not only showcases his physical strength but also highlights the burdens of leadership.

Works Cited:

• Archimedes. (n.d.). In Encyclopædia Britannica online.
• Brahmagupta. (n.d.). In Encyclopædia Britannica online.
• Descartes, R. (1637). La Géométrie. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://archive.org/details/lageometriederen00desc_0/page/n3/mode/2up
• Euclid. (n.d.). In Encyclopædia Britannica online. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Euclid
• Liu, D. (2006). Geometry in Ancient China: The Way of Heaven. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing.
• Mozi. (n.d.). In Encyclopædia Britannica online. Retrieved April 16, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mozi
• O'Connor, J. J., & Robertson, E. F. (1996). Thales of Miletus.
• Pythagoras. (n.d.). In Encyclopædia Britannica online.
• Schattschneider, D. (1990). The plane truth: Elementary geometry's great theorem. New York: W. H. Freeman and Co.
• Yaglom, I. M. (1968). Felix Klein and non-Euclidean geometry. Mathematical Intelligencer, 1(4), 182-187.

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