Odysseus Is A Hero Essay

Over the years, well known superheroes are superman, batman, spider man, etc. They all share similar traits that make them who they are such as strength, integrity, and valor. Odysseus, an ancient Greek hero, is no exception to these great heroes and deciding whether or not he is a hero is very controversial. In Homer’s, the Odyssey, Odysseus' trial to get home is filled with obstacles and accomplishments that require specific traits as a leader. Through his epic journey, Odysseus’ wits and protectiveness overshadow the foolish actions portrayed in this story.
Odysseus encounters numerous drawbacks that involve strategic thinking. Even though lying is frowned upon in Greek culture, Odysseus comes face to face with Polyphemus, the main cyclops,

where telling a lie is the best option for him and his men in order to stay away from danger. After reaching the island, Odysseus brings twelve men along with him and leaves the rest to remain unharmed. Odysseus came up with a lie after the cyclops vigorously asked where it was.
‘My ship?
Poseidon Lord, who sets the earth a-tremble broke it up on the rocks at your land’s end.
A wind from seaward served him, drove us there.
We are survivors, these good men and I.’ (228-230,1053)
From Polyphemus’ appearance, Odysseus knew that when Polyphemus asked about the ship, his intentions were to destroy it. Keeping that in mind, Odyssey was intelligent enough to come up with a lie on his own. This action showed how his quick thinking comes in handy. Having wits creates a superior leader to the shipmates.
Because of his men's rebelliousness, keeping them under control and protected was one of his main priorities. When they approached the Lotus eaters island, Odysseus sent three of his men, one being a runner, to investigate the land they were brought upon. Once Odysseus realized what the flowers were doing to his men, he took initiative through these lines:
I drove them, all three wailing, to the ships,
tied them down under their rowing benches,
and called the rest: ‘All hands aboard;
come, clear the beach and no one taste
the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home’ (101-105, 1049)
Odysseus’ ambition to protect his men shows characteristics of leadership. He automatically thought to tie them up for their own protection. This quality helps you identify what kind of leader he is by showing his dedication to the men temporarily.
Besides the traits that make him a hero, Odysseus does show a side of him that affects not only him but his shipmates.

Odysseus shows pride in what he does and isn't scared to express it which is shown in the following:
‘Cyclops,
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’s on Ithaca!’ (457-460, 1062)
Escaping once and for all, there was nothing else Odysseus needed to do. Instead, being foolish, he reveals his name and home to the cyclops which puts him at risk. Simply leaving the island in peace would’ve been a much wiser decision. Nevertheless, this flaw adds to the fact that Odysseus is an ideal hero considering he is a human, and every human has weaknesses.
Looking back, people will come to believe that Odysseus shows various traits of guidance and leadership which makes him an epic hero so far. On his twenty-year journey, he conquers many barriers no other man could. Being a hero doesn’t have to mean having superpowers and an audience but simply showing the characteristics that Odysseus expresses. Coming to a conclusion, he has grown as a hero throughout the story as a guarding and shrewd man even through times of

doubt.