Odysseus Embodies The Greek's Ideal Hero

Evaluate and Analyze the manner in which Odysseus embodies the Greek’s ideal hero
Almost three thousand years ago, people living in Greece told stories, like epics. Epics are long narrative poems that tell of the adventures of heroes who in some way embodied the values of their civilizations. These heroes exhibit many of the same characteristics. In his epic, “The Odyssey”, Homer portrays Odysseus as a hero, because Odysseus also shares those characteristics. Odysseus embodies the Greek’s ideal hero, because he displays the traits of physical strength, mental prowess, and human flaws.
Odysseus shows physical strength, along with many other heroes. Odysseus shows strength through blinding the Cyclopes. “...straight forward they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it deep in his crater eye, and I leaned on it...we bored that great eye socket...” (377, 378, 383). The manner in which Odysseus is strong is shown through him blinding the Cyclopes, Polyphemus. Odysseus uses his physical strength to blind the

Cyclopes and save not only himself, but also his men. Odysseus saved his men by using his physical strength. “I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down under their rowing benches” (211,212). Odysseus saves three protesting soldiers from losing hope of home. Odysseus embodies the ideal hero by not only having strength, but also using it to save his men. Odysseus is the Greek’s ideal hero because he shows physical strength through blinding a Cyclopes, and tieing down three soldiers.
Like the Greek’s ideal heroes, Odysseus shows mental prowess.

Odysseus uses his intelligence to not get caught blinding Polyphemus by the other Cyclopes’. “My name is Nohbdy...everyone calls me Nohbdy...Polyphemus roared in answer: ‘Nohbdy, Nohbdy’s tricked me, Nohbdy’s ruined me!” (360, 361, 402, 403). Odysseus tricked Polyphemus so that he and his men could get past the Cyclopes’. His intelligence is shown through this quote by tricking the Cyclopes to think that his name was ‘Nohbdy’ which then resulted in Odysseus not to be caught. Odysseus is using his wit to find out what the Lotus is doing to his men. “... clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home…” (214, 215). Odysseus quickly found out that the Lotus makes you lose hope of going home. Overmore, he resolves to resist the temptations of the Lotus-Eaters. Odysseus shows mental prowess through tricking the Cyclopes, Polyphemus, and figuring out the threat the Lotus

poses.
Odysseus is the Greek’s ideal hero, because he shows the human flaws of recklessness, and arrogance. Odysseus was being reckless while tormenting the Cyclopes. “Cyclopes, if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laertes’ son, whose home on Ithaca!” (502, 503, 504, 505). Odysseus's flaws are shown through this quote by Odysseus proudly yelling out his name to further torment the Cyclopes. His arrogance is shown too, because he wanted everyone to know who blinded Polyphemus, and add to his reputation. Odysseus believes that he is important, and acts arrogant. “Men hold me formidable for guile in peace and war: this fame has gone abroad to the sky’s rim” (128, 129). Odysseus is shown to be arrogant because he proclaims that he has intelligence in peace and war. Odysseus's flaw is being egotistic, because he believes that he is held in high regard. Odysseus shows human flaws by recklessly taunting the Cyclopes, and thinking very highly of himself.
Odysseus embodies the Greek’s ideal hero, because he displays the traits of physical strength, mental prowess, and human flaws. Odysseus is the Greek’s ideal hero because he shows physical strength through blinding a Cyclopes, and tieing down three soldiers. Odysseus shows mental prowess through tricking the Cyclopes, Polyphemus, and finding the threat that the Lotus flower poses. Odysseus shows human flaws by recklessly taunting the Cyclopes, and thinking very highly of himself. Odysseus fits the mold of the Greek’s ideal hero.