Odysseus Is A Role Model Essay

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By now we realize that "heroes" in epic poems are meant to be role models for the population. Discuss the ways that Odysseus was a role model for men in the ancient world? Who could be seen as a role model for women in The Odyssey?

Society creates heroes in order to have someone that has all the traits that is respected by the society. Also, when things don't go as planned, the society has someone to count on to help them. Heroes fought battles for their societies. For example, Odyssey went out to fight the Trojan War for twenty years. Greek heroes usually have strength and protect themselves, their family, and kingdom which is the Greek ideal. They believed and respected prowess in war, xenia, bravery, strength, and loyalty. The society …show more content…

This proves that Odysseus is beyond a typical person and classifies him as a hero since he was even willing to sacrifice his relationship to keep his crew safe. Well let’s not forget about all the women in the Odyssey. Some people may ask their selves what role do women play in The Odyssey, and how do they represent the women of Ancient Greece? Women were very important. In the Odyssey, women played many roles depending on where they stood in society. There were rich women, goddesses, and monsters. Penelope which is Odysseus's wife was a very faithful and loyal woman. While Odysseus was fighting in the Trojan War for twenty years, Penelope stayed loyal to him even when the suitors came over to help her. However, goddesses, such as Circe, and monsters, such as The Sirens used their body and beauty to trick the men into sleeping with them. It seemed to me as if they were searching for love in all the wrong places. Some men fell for the women's tricks while some of the men were smarter than others. "Let it be a warning even to you. Indulge a woman never, and never tell her all you know. Some things a man may tell, some he should cover up." (Odyssey 575) I believe that all women were trying

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