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Definition and characteristics of epic hero
Definition and characteristics of epic hero
Definition and characteristics of epic hero
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Nathaniel Hawthorne once said, “The greatest obstacle to being heroic is the doubt whether one may not be going to prove one's self a fool; the truest heroism is to resist the doubt; and the profoundest wisdom, to know when it ought to be resisted, and when it be obeyed”. The book, The Odyssey, written by Homer, explains about a man named Odysseus and his ten year journey home from the Trojan War. During his journey, he encounters new challenges such as battling mythical creatures and surviving the situations the gods and goddesses create. However in the end, he must prove himself worthy to the people of Ithaca and to his family. Considering this, Homer represents Odysseus as an epic hero multiple times. The author uses the element, leadership to develop Odysseus for his noble deeds. The author also describes him as being glorified, or worshipped by others. Therefore, Odysseus truly is an epic hero because of the descriptions Homer uses to describe Odysseus’s strategic acts in times of need and the growing inspiration everyone has for him. Homer demonstrates leadership through the epic hero character Odysseus by illustrating his courageous and brave traits on difficult situations. As Odysseus and his crew were facing the sirens, Odysseus …show more content…
felt power and confidence, enhancing his strategies. When Odysseus’s shipmates cowered in fear of the sirens, Odysseus kept his calmness and gave orders: “Get the oarshafts in your hands… hit these breaking seas… the rudders are your duty… steer for that head land…” (1135). Even though Odysseus’s shipmates were given advice about the sirens from Circe, the author explains how the epic hero Odysseus took control and told his shipmates what to do. Odysseus kept his nerve and wit in fearful situations because of his natural leader personality. Even though the Cyclops kept attacking Odysseus and his crew, they were able to escape it with the speed of Odysseus men and raging confidence. As Odysseus and his crew escaped the island and the Cyclops, he recounts how, “the long oars bent kicking the foam sternward, making head until we drew away, and twice as far” (1121). After being trapped by the Cyclops in a dangerous situation, Homer exampled Odysseus as an epic hero when he tricked the Cyclops and was able to escape. Odysseus and his crew rowed away from the forsaken place, becoming victorious. Including the adventures he faced, leadership was illustrated in many ways due to his natural perseverance in knowing what to do in hopeless situations. Homer describes Odysseus as an epic hero because of the constant admiration people have for him. From all the achievements Odysseus accomplished over the years, he is an inspiration to many other citizens, even his own son, Telemachus. After Odysseus’s son, Telemachus knows his father’s true being; he is baffled with the sudden change, “I swear you were in rags and old, and here you stand like one of the immortals!” (1147). Homer exemplifies the epic hero Odysseus of being worshipped by his son, Telemachus, when Odysseus reveals his true character to his son. Telemachus is clearly in awe with the image of his father and believes his father is like a god. In addition, Odysseus was such a great epic hero morally that even the gods and goddesses worshipped him. After Odysseus returned home to his rightful place, Athena treated him with glory by lending him “beauty, heat to foot…taller, and massive, too, with crisping hair in curls like petals of wild hyacinth but all red-golden” (1162). Being glorified by others is substantiated when the author explains how Athena changed the appearance of the epic hero, Odysseus, by illustrating his true identity. From all the accomplishments Odysseus achieved, honor and dignity radiates inside of him and out. So Athena perceives his image of what he is on the inside, an epic hero bound to have a legacy. Due to his heroic deeds and intelligent strategies, he is worshipped and admired by everyone around him. It is often argued that Odysseus is not an epic because of his true intentions when facing dangerous situations and his raging pride that can endanger others. Opponents say that Odysseus uses his accomplishments to gain fame and glory. However, Odysseus would have never thought of that due to the dangerous situations he faces that may cost his life. For example, as Odysseus and his crew were continuing on their journey, they encountered the Sirens who had “lovely voices in ardor appealing over the water made me crave to listen, and I tried to say ‘Untie me!’ to the crew, jerking my brows; but they bent steady to the oars” (1134). Homer portrays the epic hero, Odysseus, as the element, victorious from a dangerous situation because the Sirens were powerful enough to bewitch any men with their voices. Nonetheless, Odysseus followed the advice given from Circe and secured himself by wrapping his arms around the pole of the boat and covering the ears of his crew members. Odysseus knew how dangerous this could’ve been, but still decided to risk his and crew member’s lives and sail through it. Another reason would be Odysseus’s raging pride that can make others in danger. While this is not entirely inaccurate, he does have an understanding of the responsibilities it takes to be a leader. For instance, in order to persuade Zeus to help Odysseus, Athena defends how “he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home” (1104). Leadership is displayed in a way when the author references how Odysseus was a brave and unselfish epic hero by putting his shipmates before him. This could suggest that he cares deeply for his shipmates and feels responsible if something were to happen to them on his behalf. Critics may have wondered if Odysseus is truly an epic hero due to his true intentions and how his pride can put others danger, but his willingness to overcome these tough obstacles and face these kinds of situations is only something Odysseus can do. All in all, Homer demonstrates Odysseus as an epic hero due to his courageous personality and motivation people acquire from him.
Epic heroes do not always have to be a good guy from the start; it’s the choices they make that matter. This was perfectly exampled through Homer’s character, Odysseus. However, it was not easy reaching the goal like when Odysseus was trying to reach home. He knew the dangers he may face and the consequences that go with it, but he continued because of the importance of him being there. And with that, he passed these obstacles with the same motivation every time. Looking back at Odysseus’s expedition over the years, he did not only build a legacy, but defined the true meaning of being an epic
hero.
Opposed to that of common thought, superman is not the only type of character that fits the heroic persona. Although “superheroes” typically come to mind when one thinks of a hero, there are many other ordinary people capable of extraordinary things. A hero is a person who takes the initiative to set out on a journey of internal growth. During this symbolic journey, one truly finds himself and betters the lives of other mentally and physically. In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, Odysseus takes the path of heroism, resulting in the reborn spirit of a selfless, modest hero. During the process, Odysseus is faced with many challenges that he must overcome in order to earn the noble title. Odysseus proves himself to be a well-deserving hero because he is intelligent with his decisions, he displays cleverness, and he rids himself of hubris.
In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. Many times in the epic he manipulates others, commits foolish acts and is full of hubris. He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness.
Often through great literature, there is an epic hero. In the Odyssey, Homer tells the journey of one man’s journey home from the Trojan War. The protagonist of the epic poem Odysseus is often regarded as a great hero. However, Odysseus is not quite the glorious soldier that people often see him as. Odysseus disproves his title of a hero through his pride, his disloyalty, and his bloodthirstiness.
Often through great literature, there is an epic hero. In the Odyssey, Homer tells the journey of one man’s journey home from the Trojan War. The protagonist of the epic poem Odysseus is often regarded as a great hero. However, Odysseus is not quite the glorious soldier that people often see him as. Odysseus shows that he is an antihero through his pride, disloyalty, and bloodthirstiness.
Have you ever thought, are modern day heroes similar to odysseus? Some modern day heroes are similar to odysseus and some are not similar. A modern hero like Iron Man is very smart and protects his men just like odysseus. A modern hero like the Hulk he is not similar just because he doesn’t think before he does. Iron Man is similar to odysseus.
The question has been raised as to whether or not Odysseus, the hero of Homers The Odyssey, is an epic hero. An epic Hero portrays many classic properties, including being very strong and courageous. Odysseus is an epic hero, because he portrays many of these and other traits, such as having a goal that is foremost in his mind, and having descended into the underworld.
Is Odysseus, the main character of Homer’s The Odyssey, really an epic hero? An epic hero embodies several heroic traits such as; having superior or super-human strength; being intellectual and courageous; and being a strong and responsible leader. An epic hero struggles and is overwhelmed with difficulties. An epic hero is on a quest of self discovery, war or some sort of goal. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca after ten years of war in Troy. Odysseus, during his quest, is forced to venture through a merciless Cyclops, angered Gods, deeply obstinate Goddesses, the underworld, and determined suitors that are after his wife Penelope. Odysseus surmounts over these obstacles and returns home safely with courage, intelligence, superior strength, brave leadership, and also performs brave deeds.
The first characteristic that makes Odysseus an epic hero is that he answers a call to action. Odysseus answers two calls to action in The Odyssey. His first call is to go to Troy with Agamemnon and rescue Helen even though his son Telemachus has just been born and his wife Penelope doesn't want him to go. Odysseus does not have much of a choice due to the promise he and the other men made when Agamemnon won Helen's hand in marriage. Odysseus' second call to action is to get home to his family after the war in Troy despite all of his confrontations on his journey home. Odysseus does not give in to temptation and not return home, he continues on his journey so he can reclaim his wife and island.
People are heroes in different ways for different reasons. American soldiers are heroes because they fight boldly for their country. Corrie Ten Boom is also a hero because she took risks and saved hundreds of Jews. Abraham Lincoln is another example of a hero because he fought for what he thought was right and helped free all slaves. Similarly, Odysseus, the main character in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, possesses all of these characteristics and many more, making him a true epic hero.
Picture this: a hero of great legends who travels to the underworld and back to get directions to his home from a blind prophet. It sounds like quite an impossible journey, but that is exactly what makes Odysseus all the more fascinating. The Odyssey, an epic poem orally transmitted by Homer, a Greek poet who wrote The Iliad, had to contain some variety of attributes that Greeks valued in a person. That one embodiment of what the Greeks found intriguing in a character is Odysseus. Odysseus is known as what is called an epic hero. An epic hero is a protagonist of a story that represents the most important attributes of a civilization. Odysseus, being based in ancient Greece, is the embodiment of intelligence, loyalty, and strength.
Odysseus obviously presents these traits in the way that he is able to escape and defeat Polyphemus. His crew looks up to him as an honorable leader and trusts him with their lives, and he feels the same way toward them. Homer constructs a perfect example of a strong protagonist and Odysseus’ cleverness of his little scheme evidently creates a feeling of success and accomplishment for him and his crew. This is only one example of many different occasions that Odysseus is rightfully claimed an epic hero. A similar condition arises when Odysseus has to block out the song of the Sirens, a threat to sailors, when he and his crew pass by their island. He urges his crew to “tie me up, tight as a splint, erect along the mast, lashed to the mast, and if I shout and beg to be untied, take more turns of the rope to muffle me” (lines 695-698). True heroism is displayed in this scene by the way that Odysseus is able to sacrifice his strength or sanity and trust his crew in order to fulfill their goal of passing the Sirens. Through Odysseus’ achievements, Homer forms an incredible epic hero that is able to draw the plot of the
In a hero’s quest a character has to be introduced to pain and suffering and leave a comforting environment in order to gain growth. In The Odyssey, the enticing poem written by the Ancient Greek Poet Homer, Odysseus must take a leap of faith to reach the land of Ithaca by stopping at various lands. Arthur Dent, the protagonist in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, has an identical experience. As Odysseus takes risks to reach his overall goal, Arthur must travel across the galaxy with his friend Ford perfect to find a new home. Being introduced to a uncanny world is a great example of what can happen when you get out of your comfort zone and what you can learn from new struggles. As odysseus has learned, These new struggles
The main character of the Odyssey, Odysseus the King of Ithaca is given a complex personality to an extent where it is hard to identify whether he is a true hero or not. True heroism is only achieved when a person achieves certain qualities that portray heroism. 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. Along with many others qualities these three are helpful and necessary in a hero. A hero must be willing to do service for others and put the needs of others safety and protection before his own. Odysseus does not even come close to matching these qualities because he is a person, who only serves of himself, and he sacrifices his allies to achieve his goals and often he takes action ruthlessly.
What qualities should a person have to be considered an epic hero?What does Odysseus reveal to be classified as an epic hero? Odysseus and his men set off on a voyage back home from the Trojan war. after some conflicts along the way, Odysseus and his crew came to an island that was home to Cyclops. Along the journey, Odysseus showed some great qualities such as being clever and flamboyant when in action.
Homer’s literature served as a moral messenger to the people of ancient Greece. The Odyssey by Homer demonstrates the character development of Odysseus, the epic hero, and his journey of self-discovery. Odysseus was a great, wise, noble, and well respected war hero to his people. Odysseus had one tragic flaw that was demonstrated by his actions throughout the book. The author Homer continued to strip Odysseus of his arrogance throughout the story, by throwing challenges his way, making him pay for his mistakes, and allowing him to continue to overcome obstacles. The main purpose of Odysseus journey also to reach his home a more humble man. Reading Odysseus’ journey also served as a way to look at morals. The