Odysseus Weaknesses

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Recommended: An analysis of Odysseus' characters

Odyssey Rough Draft
An epic hero is a brave and noble character in an epic story, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events. He has both many strengths and weaknesses. His many achievements make the hero seem almost god-like yet he always remains recognizably human. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is the epic hero. He encounters goddesses, sea monsters, dead spirits, and Cyclopes. While lost at sea for twenty years away from his homeland Ithaca, he faces many dangers. Odysseus will stop at nothing to see his native land once more. He possesses many qualities superior to most ordinary men such as his intelligence, bravery, and strength but his biggest weakness is his arrogance.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.” Odysseus never loses sight of home; he is a great leader and always encourages his men in times of fear and hopelessness. Odysseus’ character gives him strength to keep moving forward in his journey back to Ithaca but his intelligence is a major factor in his survival as well. In the beginning of Odysseus’ journey home, Poseidon changes the course of Odysseus’ ship and leads him to the island of the Cyclopes. While there, his men quickly steal as much food as they can and get back on the boat. However, Odysseus’ curiosity overwhelms him and he goes into the mountains to find the large Cyclops, Polyphemus. The huge one-eyed man traps Odysseus and his men inside his cave and the entire crew is now trapped. Polyphemus asks for the name of the leader of their vessel and Odysseus tells him that his name is “nohbdy”. His quick-wittedness helps him later when the other Cyclopes come to Polyphemus’ aid and Polyphemus replies “Nohbdy,...

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... of trying to find a solution, Odysseus gives into his violent and prideful ways. The overwhelming number of suitors could have easily killed Odysseus but he risks it just to show that he is strong, powerful, and willing to do anything to protect his family. Odysseus’ pride causes serious problems for his journey home and is a common weakness in ordinary men.
Every epic hero has superior qualities, which is what makes the hero an epic one. However, they also have ordinary flaws that make the hero appear human and not an all-powerful character. Odysseus shows many human characteristics yet also many god-like ones throughout his journey in The Odyssey. His intelligence, strength, and courage are remarkable and his arrogance shows the audience that he is capable of common human errors and how anyone can achieve the greatness Odysseus has been able to achieve. (1,482)

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