What Makes Odysseus A Tragic Hero

The great philosopher Aristotle once said, "A man cannot become a hero until he sees the root of his downfall." Aristotle describes a tragic hero as someone who makes mistakes, accomplishes heroic deeds, and experiences tragedy. These characteristics (heroism, tragedy and making mistakes) are what make Odysseus a tragic hero.

Odysseus accomplishes many heroic deeds while on his journey in The Odyssey. For example, when Odysseus’s men get captured on Circe’s island, Odysseus goes by himself to rescue them because “Necessity drives [him] on” (239). Even when he faces death, Odysseus still travels to save his men, no matter the cost. This act of heroism not only brings his men back, but it also gives them a chance to rest and enjoy Circe’s hospitality. Also, when Odysseus reaches the land of Polyphemus the Cyclops, Odysseus tricks him by getting him drunk, saying, “Here cyclops, try this wine, to top off the banquet of human flesh you’ve just

bolted down![...]So we seized our stake with its fiery tip and bored it round and round in the giant’s eye till blood came boiling up[...] ” (221). Odysseus uses his wits and bravery to first trick the cyclops into drinking the really strong wine, then getting him drunk, before finally stabbing the cyclops in the eye and blinding him. Odysseus shows that even if he gets stuck in a bad situation, he can still find ways to save both his men and himself. Because of these courageous deeds, Odysseus is regarded as a hero by not only his men, but among others too.

Even though Odysseus is heroic, he also makes many mistakes which lead to tragedy.

For instance, when Odysseus receives the gift of winds from Aeolus, he doesn’t tell his men what is in the sack, resulting in his men growing suspicious and jealous, wanting to see “[...]what loot is in that sack, much gold and silver” (231). Odysseus makes a foolish mistake in not informing his men about his whereabouts. This in result, make the men grow envious and they begin to think of disobeying Odysseus’s orders. Following this further, when Odysseus and his men were sailing to Ithaca, “On the tenth [night] [their] own land hove into sight at last-[they] were so close [they] could see men tending fires[…][Odysseus’s men] loosened the sack and all the winds burst out[…]and swept [them] out to sea[…]far from [their] own native land” (232). The tension between Odysseus and his men grows so tight that in the end, everyone gets hurt. Odysseus is so close to his homeland, but it is in vain. The mistake that Odysseus makes leads to a

tragedy.

Later in the story, Odysseus makes many more mistakes. For example, when Odysseus and his men reach the stronghold of Cicone, “There [they] sacked the city, [and] killed the men[...]then [Odysseus] urged [his men] to cut and run, set sail, but would they listen? Not those mutinous fools[…]” (213). Odysseus failed to command men, showing that at points they cannot be kept under control. Odysseus’s mistake, his lack of assertion results in another tragedy. Later, when Odysseus and his men are camped onto their ship, “[...]Cicones sought our other Cicones, [calling] for help from their neighbors[…] a larger force, and stronger soldiers too[…] Out of each ship, six men-at-arms were killed, the rest of [them] rowed from certain doom” (213). The soldiers defying Odysseus leads to a tragedy, where many men die. Odysseus and his men didn’t leave when they could have, and gave the Cicones a chance to regroup and ask for allies, leading to a slaughter of Odysseus’s men. Odysseus’s mistake leads to another major tragedy.

Throughout his journey, Odysseus makes mistakes, accomplishes heroic deeds, and experiences many tragedies, all while trying to reach his homeland Ithaca. This is what makes Odysseus a tragic hero.