Odysseus Epic Hero

“Someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself” is the definition of a hero; additionally, the definition above describes Odysseus, an epic hero. Odysseus's actions defined that an epic hero has characteristics to live up to, but the hero also has responsibilities that decide and designate them as a epic hero. In “the Odyssey”, Odysseus had tremendous responsibilities that determined his role as an epic hero by having them revolve around fighting for what matters most, being a leader, and staying loyal to the gods by hope and faith. Throughout this epic story, these responsibilities are successful. They are consummated from start to finish. Fighting for what matters most proves Odysseus will protect and battle anything

It is significant to fight against something because it teaches us what is important. In “The Odyssey”, Odysseus fought for what mattered. He examined a problem, and defeated it. Fighting for what matters most is a profound example to being an epic hero. Odysseus proves this in numerous ways. He had numerous occasions in which he fought for his country, family, and life. Fighting for these things teaches us what Odysseus cares about. If he is willing to fight for it with his whole heart, Odysseus is worthy of being an epic hero. In the beginning and the end, he protected his country from war and suffering. He protected his family from suitors that crossed his town. After being gone for twenty years, he fought for his city back. A quote proving him murdering just to save his city: “In blood and dust he saw that crowd all fallen, many and many slain” (XXIV, 1534). Odysseus would have done anything to save his city, especially taking it back forcefully. This force caused a fighting spirit to dwell inside him to guard. Besides fighting against something, Odysseus fought for something too. Repeatedly, Odysseus had to fight for his life. This is the proof it had: “‘Did I not keep my nerve, and use my wits to find a way out for us?’” (XII, 1235). Odysseus had nerves, which caused him to be clever in ways of escaping danger. He had it out with Cyclops, Sirens, Circe, Calypso, and several more. Escaping these dangers lead to

Being a leader means taking control in the hardest of times. Being a leader means caring for one’s self. Being a leader means having remarkable and profound courage to do what must be done. In the Odyssey, Odysseus was an amazing leader. He had amazing courage to take control and to solve impossible problems. He never gave up, even in the hardest of times. This was a significant responsibility, for Odysseus was known for his remarkable courage, mastered during leadership. Odysseus was not just a leader of his ship, he was leader of his city and his life. Odysseus had a responsibility for his crewmates, but that responsibility ended up in death for them. This is an example of his failure: “Odysseus alone survives” (XII, 1236). After all of this chaos, Odysseus was punished. He lost all of his crewman due to his failure of being a leader. He had failed his crewmates, but he did not fail himself or his city. In life, we need to be a leader and take control of our own lives. Odysseus demonstrates this by the rest of his journey. When traveling different places, he thought about his city and family. He took control of his life by thinking of his city and family. He knew he wanted to see them again and never gave up. Once he reached home, he placed a role in leadership. An example of this is “You yellow dogs, you thought I’d never make it home from the land of Troy… You dared bid for my wife while I was still alive… Your