Being loyal, clever, and dedicated are examples of being a heroic person. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. Homers Odyssey is about an epic hero named Odysseus and his quest home. Peter Simon. WebOdysseus should not be considered a hero because he portrays himself as a selfish man that failed his crew, and is controlled by his hubris. Well known heroes do not kill people with no sympathy or mercy. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. Odysseus is a hero because of his selfless attempts in saving his crew members, and his intelligence and cunningness in difficult situations. These details show that Odysseus is not a hero because of his selfishness because in every one of these evidences he only thinks about himself. That is why he began this trudge across lands in the first place; to be a hero. Throughout the book of the Odyssey, Odysseus does some things that may have been wrong, but in his mind was he doing the right thing? In the book it states, She at once called to her husband Antiphates, who immediately began killing my men. Odysseus then cuts the cable from his own ship to save himself. 2765. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. Odysseus represents what being a hero is actually all about. The Odyssey. The Norton Anthology of World Literature: Shorter Second Edition. They tied me up, then, plumb amidships, back to the mast, lashed to the mast and took themselves again to rowing (Homer 1134). He spends five long years on the Island of Calypso and another five with Circe. Reflection, Pages 9 (2149 words) Views. WebOdysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology, king of the island of Ithaca and the main protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey.. For example, when his men are tempted by the Lotus eaters or captured by Circe, Odysseus rushes to save them without hesitation. The 3 archetypes, Whenever I think of a hero, visions of characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman often come to mind, as these strong figures have save their respective communities from danger using their remarkable skills. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus proves he is not a hero because he is arrogant, secretive, and unfaithful; resulting for readers to believe that every action has an consequence. On a website posted by teachers at Harker Heights High, an epic hero is someone who embodies the values of a particular society. He is brave, but also conceited. He may have super hero qualities such Odysseus portrays himself as anything but a hero throughout Homers The Odyssey. WebOdysseus ( The Odyssey) Gilgamesh ( Epic of Gilgamesh) Beowulf ( Beowulf) Character interviews are another great way to get to know your hero especially a dark and complex anti-hero. What makes someone a hero? Odysseus is a good hero because he is rational when times get tough. However, he has many traits that explain his clouded judgement. Well drive the kids and lambs aboard. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. When they get there they see a giantess who then calls her husband. Dont married people promise to be faithful, no matter what? Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. The son of Laertes and Anticlea, The only life Odysseus saved was his own. Another decision Odysseus makes to survive is not eating the cattle of Helios while on Thrinikia, his crew members choice in eating the hallowed cows results in their death, but Odysseus knew the consequences and did not touch a cow. Some men were killed by the Cyclops, a huge monster with one eye. An epic hero is on a quest of self discovery, war or some sort of goal. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. I could not welcome you with love on sight! Joseph Campbell once said, A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. True heroes are those who do something for others rather for themselves, Odysseus doesnt exactly show this trait in The Odyssey. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. Odysseus vs Batman - Ancient and Modern Concepts of Heroism - by Mansi Dhokia, Achilles fighting against Memnon Leiden Rijksmuseum voor Oudheden, Odysseus is another prominent example of a Homeric hero. Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. Odysseus is a different type of hero to Achilles: his heroic qualities stem from his quick wit and clever tactics rather than brute strength in battle. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. War itself may also be considered an antagonist in the poem war is what separated Odysseus from his home, and he spends much of the poem battling the traumas he and his men suffered in the Trojan War. For instance, Odysseus says that Circes luxuries appealed to his and his mens battle-hardened spirits. Evidence proves that, Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. Need a custom essay on the same If you wish to support us, please check out our range of merchandise, available now on Redbubble. WebOdysseus has the defining character traits of a Homeric leader: strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, and confidence in his authority. Homer said, But Odysseus shot his right hand out, clutching the nurses throat. In "The Odyssey," written by Homer is an epic poem about a man named Odysseus and his crewmates competing against the power of the gods to return to their homeland, Ithaca. Odysseus is described as a god-like man. Also in The Odyssey, Odysseus makes careless decisions which lead them into trouble. Odysseus then has many hardships upon which he overcomes through his intelligence and wit. Odysseus left Calypsos Island and began his journey back home. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. Odysseus is not the epitome of an epic hero., Hero? He is a hero because he saves his beloved wife from the suitors that yearn for her (the wife, Penelopes) hand as well as Odysseus thrown; he does this through a battle that ends, these three archetypes the hero, villain/monster, and the damsel in distress. This allows readers to truly see Odysseus other side. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. After 7 years on this island he finally decides to go home to has son which he has never seen and his dog who is nearly dead due to old age (not to mention he barely does anything with his dog and the first thing he says to his son is basically to ask him to risk his life for Odysseus's house). The main reason why I am written is so that you can know Odysseus is a hero because how he helps other people before he would help himself., Odysseus is not a hero because he let down a lot of people. Human weaknesses can still prevail through even the strongest men you may think of; examples of this are shown in this epic. These reasons alone leaves me, and should leave you, to believe that Odysseus is not heroic. The protagonist is the primary actor. He realizes and readily admits that opinions other than his own make complete sense yet he refuses to acknowledge them and ends up dragging others into danger Odysseus himself says My men came pressing round me pleading: Why not take these cheeses, and make a run for it? Sometimes being a hero is difficult. Odysseus says, Then he tore them apart and gobbled them up like a lion in the wilderness, Odysseus the main man The Captain is he really a hero or a villain? He never gave up trying to get back home to Ithaca.Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire/ how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him/Odysseus, raider of lost cities, took your eye: Laertes son, whose homes on Ithaca. (1062)This shows that Odysseus is brave because he fights the. The defining characteristics of Odysseus in classical literature are interpreted in wildly different ways by different authors: he is portrayed as a hero in Homers The While Odysseus many adventures are very exciting, he spends a considerable amount of time cheating on his wife (with. He even risks his own soul for them. So is Odysseus really a hero? He knew he was a villain and somehow still got away with. Diverging from previous studies, Odysseus had many affairs and was disloyal to his wife, slaughtered hundreds of people in the name of righteousness, and above all, exemplifies hubris, or arrogant pride. One of the many situations Odysseus survives is his encounter with Skylla. Harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy.(The Odyssey line 3). Odysseus was a authentic persuasive speaker and genuinely intelligent. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. Dexter Morgan. Athena found him to be so winning, so worldly wise, so self possessed! . Of course he did, he just didnt care. Odysseus makes some substantial mistakes, thus leading to the failure to his men. Now you might say that in this case Odysseus is not a hero because he was not thinking ahead in the first place and was too curious and got him and his men caught by the Cyclops. One reason for this claim is odysseus is smart, brave, and kind and another reason is he wants to go home and protect his family. Once back to Ithaca there were many suitors insulting him, his wife, son, house, and the gods and begging for Penelopes hand in marriage. Another way Odysseus' quick-decision skills helps him is when he chooses to leave the island of the Lotous-eaters, because he realized his whole crew would have fell under the curse if he had stayed there. He is consistently referred to with the epithet a man of many ways (compared to the swift-footed Achilles), demonstrating that Odysseus heroism is due to mental rather than physical strength. Odysseus knows how loyal his crew is to him so, if one of them was to untie him they could have all ended up dead. Due to the fact that hes very noble and brave (and in an epic poem), that makes him an epic hero. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle because of his actions of sacrificing his men, killing the suitors and being ruthless throughout the Odyssey. WebOdysseus is Not a Hero for the Modern Age Essay. Instead, Odysseus only hurts him. Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus. He first shows his Valiant behavior during the war in Troy, he cares about his crew and survives the war. He has the qualities of being a hero in some situations but also has flaws which make him seem less of a hero at times. These events lead to him losing crew members and putting them into dangerous situations, elongating his voyage home, and putting his integrity at risk. A hero consists of anyone who puts their best selves forward in service to humanity. All depictions in Ancient Greece and Rome were truly to better enhance the world's view of the artistic human form. Odysseus was also a prominent character in another Homeric epic, the Iliad. In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership. While this is undoubtedly a noble deed, Odysseus slips up more than he does any good, therefore making it unfit to call him a hero. He is intelligent, yet boastful. In Greek literature, Odysseus is known as a hero, but that statement is often contested. Take a deeper look into the definition of a hero and explore a character analysis of epic hero characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. Updated: 12/14/2021 If I asked you to think of your hero, who would it be? The president? A sports legend? Batman? Heroes are supposed to be rational, faithful, and honest, whereas, Penelope spent twenty years waiting for Odysseus to return home. The Iliad contains a multitude of these heroes, since the focus of the action is on the Trojan War and various characters stories within this narrative. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca after ten years of war in Troy. He was a role model for his son Telemachus who wanted to be like him. This shows that he is selfish. A hero accepts who he is as an individual, but strives to change himself for the better. A hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. Homers Iliad and Odyssey are defining and seminal works that have an enduring legacy on literature, art, and society in both the modern and ancient world. He may have super hero qualities such as extreme strength and cleverness but he doesnt embody them the way one should. The epic hero is often of mixed, there are three archetypes that provide insights to Ancient Greek civilizations and their morals. The first archetype this essay will be explaining, Ancient Greek civilizations and their morals. Odysseuss inability to think through his rash decisions and recognize the right choice over the honorable and selfish one makes him unfit to be a, In conclusion Odysseus is a true hero even though he was thoughtless, selfish and deceitful. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2009., I will be writing a essay of the book The Odyssey written by the person Homer. Odysseus is different from other heroes. First of all, Odysseus was very selfish during their journey back to Ithaca. Heroism is a concept that changes over time as society changes, and the values that each society upholds determines who they view as a hero. He put his own men in danger just because he wanted to become famous. Odysseus didnt tell his crew members that he knew people would be killed by the beast. Heroism is a concept that has evolved and will continue to evolve over time since it depends heavily on the values which each society covets. In the age of postmodernism, there are instances where a person can be both a hero and a villain. WebODYSSEUS AS A HERO Homer's Odyssey is one of the greatest of the world's hero tales. Joseph Campbell once said, A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. True heroes are those who do something for others rather for themselves, Odysseus doesnt exactly show this trait in The Odyssey. thinks of himself as a hero. Why is Odysseus an epic hero? He wasn't thinking about his wife and son. Odysseus, man of exceptional wit, bravery, and intelligence, epic hero The Odyssey written by Homer, is nothing short of extraordinary. Another way in which Odysseus shows he is a villain is when he finally reunites with his wife. We say put out again on good salt water. Yet, I refused. Despite all of the suitors, Penelope stays loyal to Odysseus. Another trait that ends up killing a number of his men is his lack of leadership skills, or rather the lack of respect and trust from his men. One example of this would be when he tells Polyphemus that his name is Nobody. While he is not a modern hero, he is a compelling character in the Odyssey, and the reader roots for him to achieve his goal of returning to Ithaca. He told her not to tell anyone who he really is. Odysseus, hes known as a war hero on his way back to his homeland, who ends up going on a ten year long journey due to unforeseen circumstances. Diverging from previous studies, Montiglio outlines the philosophers' Odysseus across the spectrum, from the Socratics to the Middle Platonists. Odysseus is difficult to identify as a hero because of his many vices. He makes another smart decision in choosing to go through Skylla instead of Kharybdis because only six of his crew members die instead of the whole crew. He is unfaithful to Penelope many times throughout the book. There is many thing that can support this claim. In addition to saving lives a hero should be humble, Odysseus does not fit that description, his hubris is as big as the moon. Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca and protagonist of Homers epic poem the Odyssey was recognized as a great hero of his time. Odysseus cheats on his wife more than once; it was not a simple lapse in judgment. A hero to me is supposed to save lives. In the novel, The Odyssey, Odysseus goes to war against the Trojans in hope to win. There was one obstacle where they fell Odysseus feels he is always the leader and no one can tell him otherwise. A modern hero is recognized by the goodness in their heart. Although there has been some evidence that points to Odysseus not being a hero, this essay will give three reasons why Odysseus should be respected as a hero. The crew tries to get Odysseus to be quiet, but his ego gets in the way, and he tells Polyphemus his name; leading to Polyphemus cursing him and his men to make the journey home slow and painful. A good example of a modern hero would be the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Odysseus tends to use strategy over strength to be a hero when it comes to challenges. Odysseus is clever by doing this because he can predict that the liquor will make him fall asleep. In my eyes he is a hero struggling to do the best he can but often finds things don't always go as planned. He takes the punishment of Antinous and the other suitors without saying a word and is able to see those who have invaded his house. WebEvidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. Achilles is arrogant and selfish: he refuses to fight at the beginning of the Iliad as his honour has been slighted by Agamemnon stealing his war spoils, a captive girl named Briseis. When Odysseus receives advice, even if it is helpful he tends to ignore it. Another example of Odysseuss ignorance toward people is when Eurylochus tells him not to go onto Kirkes island because he knows the crew would be turned into swine. He tried at great measures to help his men return home to Ithaca alive. He does not have any supernatural abilities unlike Achilles who is the son of a goddess and so has superhuman strength and speed. WebOdysseus is the spitting image of what an ancient Greek hero would be like but in todays society or just in general, Odysseus is not heroic. Modern day depictions of heroes are influenced by popular media such as comic books, movies, and TV. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. Odysseus portrays his selfishness right as the book begins and this shows how truly incompetent of an individual he is. Odysseus was faithful and loyal. These statues usually period pieces from Italian or French masters such as Donatello or Praxiteles were always sculpting realistic visions of the Gods such as Hermes. Odysseus doesnt do this only once through his journey back, he does it again with Kalypso for seven years and by will: He lay with her each night, for she compelled him. (V, 163). One of the motifs for which Homer has set the precedent is heroes: Homeric heroism is a concept that is widely discussed within scholarship. So at this point, Odysseus decided that kill the Cyclops will in turn be killing his men so instead he jabs a shark stake into the Cyclops only eye blinding the Cyclops and saving him and his men. The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. WebFrom Villain to Hero explores the reception of Odysseus in philosophy, a subject that so far has been treated only in tangential or limited ways. During his long and perilous journey home Odysseus shows many heroic qualities that help save his men from many dangerous situations. Odysseus doesnt resist Kalypsos charm and cheats on his wife Penelope. Odysseus is no different from the common heroes we hear today. Throughout the novel The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus continuously shows his personality of being an admirable hero to everyone by using strategy instead of strength. In consequence he possibly endangers the rest of his crew from safely reaching home by endangering himself. He was also courageous as well as confident., On the subject of heroism, Maya Angelou once wrote that I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people (Angelou). This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. In another place in the book Odysseus leads his ships to the land of the Laestrygonians. He does not deserve the credit for his getting home from the war at all. I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. As Odysseus is about to kill the Cyclops, he remembers that he is trapped in a cave with a large boulder blocking the entrance that he and his men will not be able to move. Another way in which Odysseus shows he is a villain is when he finally reunites with his wife Penelope and reacts with rage when she tests him. Odysseus goes through his life believing he is the best. WebFrom Villain to Hero explores the reception of Odysseus in philosophy, a subject that so far has been treated only in tangential or limited ways. Odysseus is sailing away from Cyclops Island and he is teasing Polyphemus about escaping. He knew he was a villain and somehow still got away with, In the Odyssey, Odysseus is a hero because he is a selfless leader. A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom. (Bob Dylan). However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as, Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus shows multiple times where he made bad choices due to his hubris.He has shown many careless acts were he only thinks of himself. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. The first heroic thing he has done is go fight in a war with the trojans. Odysseus was also selfish when he sailed near the lands of Sirens.Steer wide; keep well to seaward; plug your oarsmens ears with beeswax kneaded soft(Homer 669-671). In Homers He not only slays all of the suitors but also the slave girls who slept with them, an act of violence that is morally abhorrent by modern standards. Is Odysseus a hero? Odysseus appears to be heroic but looking closer this rash decision was selfish. Hero; Of course Odysseus. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. Odysseus surmounts. Kalypso, Odysseus only cares about himself and his personal benefits, like a villain. sword from my hip I went along his flank to stab him where the midriff, There is yet one more difference between Odysseus and the other two heroes which may help to find the reason why his tale does not end, Lizeth Marin Honors Introduction to Literature Period 3 18 April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? Everytime he enters a new island, he does not start telling everyone that he is Odysseus, king of Ithaca. Odysseus might think he was performing a heroic action but in actuality he was performing an act of selfishness. On Ithaca Odysseus never brags to the suitors and is able to enter his house with the Antinous and the other suitors knowing his real identity. Even though Odysseus is a troublemaker, he has multiple great characteristics of a leader. The hero: In the plays The Odyssey, Oedipus Rex, and Antigone the heroes face torturous journeys that put their will power to the test. Odysseuss first situation was with Kalypso. This shows that Odysseus had mounted Circes bed and that he had a affair with Circe. He returns to the fight purely for the selfish reason of avenging Patroclus death, rather than for the noble cause of Greek victory. Odysseus said, comrades riven in agony/ shrieking out my name // angler poised on a jutting rock // gasping out their lives. The possession of the character trait, arrogance, does not help him in escaping, but rather puts him closer to danger. However, he is also a villain; he intrudes and assaults helpless creatures and also he returns home expecting his wife Penelope not to have cheated on him while he was gone. Odysseus is another prominent example of a Homeric hero. During his quest to return home, he encounters many supernatural forces that show both his heroic, and not so heroic actions. The goddess of war, Athena, told Odysseus what he should do to save them and helped him get home. This story is about his travels home and how he got caught up in other business. Odysseus, the protagonist of Homers The Odyssey, is not a good example of a modern hero. In the epic poetry, The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus exhibits his arrogance, foolishness, and his lack of leadership in which it leads to him going home by himself. This quote shows that good people and heros should not seek revenge and should show mercy to their enemies however Odysseus obviously shows no interest in mercy After killing many people and not letting a single person out which many heroes would have especially if the people did not directly mistreat him and believed he was dead which would be a logical thought he finally revealed himself to his wife. WebOdysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. When Odysseus slaughters the Trojans, he starts to act like he was greater than any god. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? An epic hero struggles and is overwhelmed with difficulties. This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. Another way Odysseus is also a hero is he always finds a way to survive whether he is in conflict or out on the sea. Odysseus was a war hero, fighting against the Trojans as depicted in The Iliad. He led the raid once inside the walls of Troy and is also credited with the idea of the Trojan Horse. On his way home from war, Odysseus is taken on a long journey encountering mythical creatures and gods. However, three stories of his show specific archetype proficiently and repeatedly. Don't waste your time on revenge. Heroes cannot be cross cultural, and Odysseus heroics do not transcend time and apply to the modern world. In myths and stories especially, heroes tend to have supernatural capabilities in one form or another, such as superhuman strength, intellect, or even magical abilities. This reveals Odysseus is a villain because he reacts as if he was innocent and some way being betrayed by his own wife. Odysseus, when it comes to his crew and family, is confident, compassionate, wise, and always knows a way to get out of any problem. Odysseus is perhaps more closely paralleled to a modern-day hero like Batman or Iron Man. In The Odyssey, the hero is Odysseus, king of Ithaca. You don't always have to save a person's life. He comes home to Ithaca and immediately seeks revenge against the suitors who have been courting his wife Penelope and abusing xenia (the Greeks sacred concept of hospitality). He is not a selfish hero: instead, his drive is to his people and to found a new city that will eventually become Rome. She clearly states that she loves Odysseus and her heart could be given to no other: Forgive me, dont be angry. Nobody wants a hero to lose so Homer gives him admirable traits so that readers find themselves rooting for him. The first reasons why Odysseus is a hero is because he risks his life for crew multiple times throughout the story. Odysseus is truly a heroic figure because he demonstrates courage, improves his character, and wins the support of the gods. They can be villains, scapegoats, damsels in distress, and the hero themself . Heroism can mean different things to different people and some people are heroes, but dont get recognized. He is not a hero, however, when his In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership. He was also the king of Ithaca and the prime protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey. There are ups and downs to every situation, and through reading The Odyssey, readers can connect parallels between Odysseus experiences and lessons learned in their own life. In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. The qualities in which define Odysseus as a hero are courage, intelligence, and leadership. Despite Odysseus' overconfident nature, Odysseus proves he is a hero by showing bravery and intelligence.
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