What Makes a Hero So Great?
The word hero requires more than just a simple definition. The universal definition, according to google, requires some argument: a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. To me, a hero is more than that. I believe that a hero is very rare. It takes hardwork and determination to be defined as a hero.
As my fourth grade teacher discussed heros in class and, she posed the question, “What makes someone a hero?” My mind was in shambles on what the answer could be. Thinking back to an essay that I wrote in fourth grade, my conception on what a hero is hasn’t changed all that much. My belief of what a hero was is someone who does the right thing
…show more content…
In this novel, A man named Odysseus is on his way home from the war in Troy. He tells his story of what happened to him and his crewmates. Odysseus’ story was told from his point of view which may call for some arguement. The story told how he saved his crew many times and lost his crew but not at his own fault. Based on our discussions of this book, I view Odysseus as someone who has potential as a hero that is loved and cherished by many people. The way his tale is told also leads me to believe that. He exaggerates parts to make himself seem better which goes against my beliefs of a true hero. While telling his story, he seems to put others before himself in order to make himself look better. I disagree with this approach because he seems selfish. He also makes many mistakes, like everyone does, but what disproves that he is a hero is that he doesn’t learn from his mistakes. Odysseus loses some members of his crew due to an encounter with a cyclops. He then meets a witch on an island that turns his crew into pigs. Odysseus states that this is not his fault because his crew disobeyed him. He should have had more power over his crew. But what shows that Odysseus isn’t a hero is not that he misled his crew, but it is because he took no blame for
The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. For example, when Odysseus and his men find themselves on Polyphemus's island, Odysseus's actions are self-centered and at the expense of his men. This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero.
However, he went on a 10 year voyage and did excruciating planning. Although he was also proud of himself because he got through the sirens while listening to every magical word they said. Many people say he isn't a hero but believe me he is.
Odysseus is a hero because he acts courageously while facing the many challenges he encounters. Odysseus’s shows great bravery when he engages in physical challenges. Odysseus daringly fights against the suitors, while significantly outnumbered: “For I must tell you this is no affair / of ten or even twice ten men, but scores, throngs of them” (XVI, 291 – 293). Even though Odysseus is facing hundreds of men, his bravery keeps him confident that he can win the battle. Odysseus must use his physical strength when Poseidon punishes him with turbulent waves: “Odysseus’s knees grew slack, his heart / sickened, and he said within himself / Rag of man that I am, is this the end of me?” (V, 307 – 309). Odysseus is exhausted from the torrential sea, yet refuses to give up because of enormous courage and his unwillingness to surrender. Odysseus must also cope with emotional challenges throughout his journey. His emotions are tested when he ventures to the underworld, Hades, and must confront his greatest fear, death: “From every side they came and sought the pit / with rustling cries; and I grew sick with fear. / But presently I gave command to my officers” (XI, 45 -47). Although Odysseus is deeply fearful when he comes face to face with the dead, his mental f...
Odysseus is known as a great war hero and leader who encounters and conquers unimaginable obstacles in his quest to return to Ithaca. This is understandable, given that Homer often uses Odysseus’ point of view in recounting his tortuous ten-year journey. However, beneath the surface is another perspective that is often overlooked, namely, that of Odysseus’ men who accompany him on this journey. Odysseus often glosses over his shortcomings as a leader and accentuates or even exaggerates his successes. If his men had been given more of a voice, it is likely that a different account of Odysseus’ leadership qualities would have been presented. For instance, Odysseus takes great pains to portray himself as an innocent victim and Homer’s readers generally accept this perspective. Odysseus’ hubris makes him careless when it comes to the safety of his men and therefore, an unreliable leader. Careful analysis of the scenes featuring Cicones, Aeolus and the Winds, and Scylla and Charybdis reveals that Odysseus often fails to transcend his own self-interest and ultimately he is the one responsible for the deaths of his men.
not. Overall, Odysseus, although the doer of many good deeds, could never be considered a true hero because of his humanity. Humanity, with its many good characteristics, also possesses many faults, but perhaps that is the beauty of it all. There is beauty in the uniquity of imperfection, for if everyone and everything were perfect, what a boring world we would live in. So, although Odysseus and the many others like him may never be true heroes, it is because of their humanity that they were worth recognising in the first place.
So what defines one as a hero? Well, a definition of what a hero is “A person noted for special achievement in a particular field” (hero, n.d). Our concept of a hero alters drastically from person to
Fictional heroes in literature are characters that embark on grueling, mind-altering journeys even though they receive no personal gain from these missions. Heroes overcome difficult challenges and resist temptations while also learning important life lessons and acquiring an enlightened perspective. The epic poem The Odyssey by Homer chronicles the great hero Odysseus’s return trip to Ithaka. His long and demanding voyage to his homeland leaves Odysseus a changed man. However, many argue whether Odysseus truly earns the title of “hero.” There is evidence for both sides of this argument. Because of his cleverness, his undying bravery and his ability to learn from past mistakes, Odysseus proves himself a hero.
When people think of a hero, they picture someone flawless, someone who does no wrong. A hero is humble and is recognized for constantly saving people in dangerous situations. But that is not realistic. Heroes have flaws, and they do not always make the right choices, but they are still heroes because their courageous actions outweigh their rather dishonorable ones. This topic is discussed in the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer. Odysseus does not always fit his image as god-like, but he is still very much a hero because he has respectable morals and he protects those in need of protection.
Heroes are found everywhere. They are seen in movies, on television, in books, and in reality. A hero can be anyone from a friend to a fictional character. To be considered a hero, one must make selfless sacrifices, develop and learn, overcome challenges and temptations, and ultimately present their known world with a gift of any kind. Homer’s The Odyssey paints a picture of the supposed savior Odysseus. The irony of Odysseus’ situation is that he really is not the marvelous hero that many who read The Odyssey see him to be. When imagining a great hero, the words of cruel, unfaithful, selfish, or careless never come to mind, but the son of Laertes sets examples for each attribute. Odysseus makes many poor decisions that cause his dislikable traits to highly outweigh his few better ones. Several of his more prominent characteristics are exhibited on numerous accounts. Odysseus cannot possibly earn the title of being a hero because he harbors hubris, he displays a lack of faith, and his self-centeredness causes unfortunate events.
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. First, Odysseus is not a hero because he is a foolish leader who makes many mistakes on his journey back home to Ithaka. His first mistake is his decision to let his men raid and pillage the kikones, this thoughtless decision gets thirty of his men killed and countless others wounded, it also angers the Gods because he caused the deaths of many kikones and also many of his own soldiers. Another foolish decision Odysseus makes is his decision to explore the island of the Kyklops.
In today's modern times we hear the word hero all of the time. The news media throws the term around as if it is an everyday word. What exactly is a hero? Who, or what, can be classified as heroic? The correct definition of the word hero is: One invested with heroic qualities in the opinions of others. That is a fine definition for books and intellectual minds. To the average person, however, a hero is much more.
A hero is a person with great strength or courage. Odysseus portrays a true hero in The Odyssey. He is the true hero of this epic because he has saved his men on many occasions using his cunning behavior and vast intellect. It shows he has the courage of a true hero.
A person who overcomes antagonistic and unnecessary issues in a mature and powering manor. That is the definition of a hero to me. Someone who is being hurt and sees others hurt from the actions and takes charge and does everything in his power to change it. Someone who puts others before themselves and acts in the most chivalrous way. The definition of a hero is different for everyone. Some one might think of a hero as someone who can lift a car and put it on their back, or gives a dying person their kidney. Yes all of those people are forms of hero’s. You can’t tell someone that they are not a hero just because they don’t change into a disguise in a telephone both or can throw lightning bolts from a cloud. Everyone is a hero in their own way.
When you hear the word hero what comes to mind? Many people think heroes are people who wear capes while others say that they are officers or fireman. First, I believe that a hero is a person who does the right thing. Second, a hero can be anyone. Last, hero is someone who helps anyone in harsh times.
Emmilee Golden October 26, 2017 Argument Essay What is a Hero? Majority of people are led to believe that a hero is only someone who will help save other people or someone who is idolized for their accomplishments. I very strongly believe that a hero is also someone who will work to save himself, make himself a better person, and who will not give up when things get rough. A hero to other people is someone who will fight to protect others.