Abraham Lincoln As A Hidden Hero In Homer's Odyssey

Hidden Heroes

Born as strong as a titanium shield, with an abundance of money like the plethora of water in the oceans, this is what most people think heroes are supposed to grow up like. Heroes can come from any background, whether wealthy or poor. The things that make people heroes are the certain character traits that will withstand adversity and lead to success.

One thing all successful heroes have in common is self confidence and the belief of being able to accomplish anything. “Abraham Lincoln responded to the crisis wielding powers as no other president before him.” (biography.com 4). If Lincoln didn’t have faith in himself then this country would not have continued to be called the United States of America and the world would

be a completely different place. Abraham Lincoln had the self confidence to pull strings to accomplish big things. Abraham Lincoln had a goal to abolish slavery and preserve the union at the same time. If Lincoln had no self confidence that these goals could be accomplished then the things Lincoln wanted to accomplish would have never been accomplished, leading to the separation of a world power: the United States of America. Odysseus also had self confidence and he proved it when he stabbed the cyclops in the eye. “.. So we held the fire sharpened pole and turned it, and the blood bubbled out about its hot point.” (Homer 107). By stabbing the cyclops in the eye, Odysseus’s crew and Odysseus were saved from inevitable death. If Odysseus had not been confident and committed the great deed of blinding the cyclops then Odysseus’s crew and Odysseus would have never been seen again. Self confidence isn’t just being courageous or brave, but it is a trait that keeps a person composed in a time of danger or trouble.
Heroes come from all different backgrounds. “Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky.” (biography.com 1). All of the heroes in fairy tales are from a royal family that is very wealthy. This is the stereotypical view of what a hero should be. Abraham Lincoln disproves this completely by becoming the U.S. President after a childhood of poverty. On the other hand Odysseus was very wealthy, strong and talented. “Then he let fly straight at Antinoos… the arrow struck him in the throat and the point ran through the soft neck.” (Homer 243). This illustrates how Odysseus was born talented and rich because the way Homer described Odysseus’s archery skills, gives the readers the idea that Odysseus is from a rich background where Odysseus was taught to shoot bows and arrows very well. A poor child like Abraham Lincoln was forced to spend time on chores and family survival rather than focusing on extra-curricular activities. Lincoln’s family was poor and didn’t even have resources to allow Lincoln to be educated. It doesn’t matter what background you come from, Odysseus was wealthy and Lincoln was poor. Both Odysseus and Lincoln became legendary heroes.
Passion and determination are essential to becoming a hero.

“Neighbors recalled how Abraham Lincoln would walk four miles to borrow a book.” (biography.com 2). Lincoln did not receive a very formal education as a child, so Lincoln walked miles to borrow a book to read. Lincoln was determined to educate himself so that success in life would be more possible. Odysseus also possessed determination, without it Odysseus would have never seen Ithaca again. “As we gazed in our fear at the death on this side, at the same moment Scylla grabbed six of my men out of the ship…” (Homer 142-143). Odysseus was so determined to get to Ithaca, six of the crews’ men were sacrificed to Scylla in order to maybe have a chance of getting back home. Odysseus was willing to give everything in order to get home. Without passion or determination is like a horse without its jockey. The horse can still run, but not where it is wanted to run.If you have no passion or determination your goals and dreams roll away from you because no one cares enough to commit to them. Both Odysseus and Lincoln sacrificed a lot in order to succeed. Determination is doing everything possible in order to succeed. This is exactly what made both Odysseus and Lincoln

succeed.
Perseverance is the cornerstone of prosperity and heroism.

Without perseverance you have nothing to get you through the tough times in life. “When young Abraham was 9 years old, his mother died of tremolo at age 34.” (biography.com 2). Lincoln's mom died when Lincoln was 9 years old. This would be hard for anybody to handle, but Lincoln decided to move on and not dwell on the past. Lincoln continued to help out around the house, read, and later became one of the most influential presidents of all time. Odysseus also was a very persevering character. “‘He has a bow and arrows and will shoot from the doorway until he has killed us all.’’’ (Homer 244). This quote shows how Odysseus is out numbered, but perseveres and kill all of the suitors in order to be victorious. Odysseus was able to see through the hard times ahead and keep going until victory came. Without perseverance Odysseus and Lincoln would’ve never gotten through hard times and would’ve stopped at the first problem that was

challenging.
A hero isn’t automatically made because the hero grew up in a palace with kings and queens as parents. A hero is made when that hero possesses character traits that will withstand adversity and lead to success. Heroes are made from the people who desire to succeed not from the people who expect success to come to them.