Odysseus As A True Hero In Homer's Odyssey

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“The Odyssey” is a classic representation of an epic in literature. A Hero’s journey is never an easy one. It is packed with many struggles, loss, pain, headaches, growth, and triumph. To be known as a hero takes a lot, but what is a true hero? To some, a hero might just be a person who is courageous and brave, to others a hero might be a person that is a strong warrior and leader who wins battles; however, to some to others, a hero might just be a person who uses his brain just as much as a warrior uses his sword. Odysseus, in Homer's epic, "The Odyssey", portrays the ideal human qualities that Homer's Greek society mostly admired. Odysseus was known for his physical and mental strength, along with his patient and compassionate intellect. …show more content…

He takes on the very human roles of athlete, warrior, sailor, storyteller, carpenter, beggar, and lover. He displays human qualities like buff and boldness while being sensitive and shy at the same time. He must struggle, suffer, and deal with the inescapable fate handed down to him from the great beings atop Mt. Olympus. The average human can relate to Odysseus' human qualities while admiring him for the heroic traits they can only hope to attain. To survive twenty years of fighting, storms, and the wrath of gods, Odysseus proves he possesses the super-human qualities of a hero. Odysseus showed he was a hero early on, as a talented warrior in the Trojan War. He was a leader throughout the battle, always trying to keep things in order so the battle for Troy could move forward. He was a great fighter, and could be ruthless as well as tricky. He was always, "first by a long way in all plots and schemes." …show more content…

He must struggle, suffer, and deal with the inescapable fate handed down to him from the great beings from Mt. Olympus. Odysseus suffered on both land and sea, yet used his brain for any issue he ever faced.Which in the end, was similar thinking to the Gods’. He came up with great plans to help him on his adventures, such as the time he was trapped in the Cyclops' cave. He came up with the ingenious plan to take an olive wood poll and, "rub it into his eye while he was sound asleep." (106). This way, the Cyclops would be blinded and the sailors could make their escape. He was always quick to use his brain, which is a great leadership

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