Courage In The Odyssey

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Almost all written works have some sort of hero to lead the way and have the readers side to. In the Odyssey, that very hero is Odysseus, and he has a few important traits to define his character. He is very courageous which helps him lead his men and go into battle. Odysseus is also very cunning because he is able to devise plans when times get tough. Even though many people may disagree, Odysseus’ cunning and courage are his most defining characteristics. Courage, although being the least defining characteristic of the two, is still very important to the character. The reader can see some of his courage in the statement: “I lifted a carved wooden bowl, brimful of my ruddy wine, and went right up to the cyclops” (Book IX, Lines 85-87). This quote shows his couragousness, because Odysseus goes straight up to the cyclops without hesitating. He could have taken an easier route to take out the cyclops, but he decided to just go straight for the …show more content…

The reader can also see this in the statement: “Here, Cyclops, try this wine ---to top off the banquet of human flesh you’ve bolted down!” ( Book IX, Lines 88-89). He was not only courageous at this time but he was cunning because he had devised a plan. He was using the large amounts of wine to intoxicate and impair the cyclops. Without Odysseus being cunning, he would have died way earlier in his life, because he would not be able to make a plan. These two characteristics are some of the most important factors in Odysseus being a hero because they help him a lot in his trials. These characteristics are also seen as heroic today because they are still very important things to have. Without courage, we would not have heroes such as policemen and firefighters. Then, cunning is also seen as heroic, because people can make plans and ideas that can help lives. Without these two characteristics, Odysseus would not be able to save lives, stay alive, and be a

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