Odysseus The Hero Essay, Research Paper

The & # 8220 ; Odyssey & # 8221 ; is an heroic narrative that has been a compelling piece of literature since it was first written and it will stay that manner for many old ages to come. This much-found success of the Odyssey has been because of the narrative s hero, Odysseus.

Odysseus has many personal qualities that make him last through all his journeys. He is one of the first Greek mythic heroes celebrated for non merely his encephalon but besides his strength. He is a adult male with a funny head, and he is besides a adult male with unsettled heroism and courage. In add-on to his character, he is a superior jock every bit good. Although Odysseus frequently hesitates before moving he does incorporate a huge sum of ground and a gift to measure state of affairss. Patience is one of his most of import features. This forbearance has saved him and his work forces many times, and has been illustrated legion times throughout his travels such as when he disguised himself as a mendicant when he eventually reached Ithaca, waiting for the right minute to uncover himself.

Equally great as he was, Odysseus still had some failings that lengthened his ocean trip back to Ithaca. His most important failing he possesses, is that of his pride. Pride is good to hold, but in Odysseus & # 8217 ; instance he had excessively much of it. This is clearly evident in the episode on the Cyclopes & # 8217 ; island. When Odysseus and his work forces are clearly safe off from the island Odysseus brags about his successful accomplishment. Polythemus hears this and launches elephantine bowlders in the way of the ship. Some came really near to droping the ship, yet that was non plenty for Odysseus. Blinded by his pride he foolishly revealed his individuality to Polythemus. With that Polythemus called upon his male parent, Poseidon, to seek retaliation on the adult male who had harmed him.

That incident injury Odysseus more than losing a few work forces, because Poseidon made his travel place longer and harder. Yet another failing of our hero is his sexual thrusts. In other words, Odysseus loves adult females. An illustration of his love for adult females was his stay with Circe for one twelvemonth before his work forces reminded him of place. He besides stayed with Calypso for seven old ages ; although, we must take into history that there were some other grounds why he stayed with her for so long. Chiefly because of the fact that she was an immortal and he didn & # 8217 ; t want to hold her against him.

Odysseus began his journey by busting a metropolis, but when support was called in, many of his companions were killed off. Surviving that he visited the Lotus-eaters where three of his work forces fell victim to a unusual works. Losing all desire in go oning the journey, they left. When they reached their following finish, an island incorporating a cave full of caprine animals, they came across a cave brooding Cyclops. On site, the Cyclops Ate two of the work forces going with Odysseus. In order to maintain the travellers from go forthing ; the Cyclops trapped them with a bowlder ; go forthing Odysseus and his work forces unable to get away. Being clever, Odysseus and his work forces managed to get away by knifing the Cyclops in his oculus and cleaving on the bottoms of the Cyclops s caprine animals. This shows how Odysseus used his encephalon.

In book 10 Odysseus, with the aid of an ally, was sent to go on on his mission. His crew opened a bag given by the Keeper of the Winds ; a atrocious air current brought them to where the Laestrygonians lived. This shows how Odysseus fell asleep and trusted his work forces non to open to bag. Odysseus thought he could swear his work forces, and in return expected their trust. This shows he was non a cold-hearted adult male. After the giants devoured many of the crew ; Odysseus and his crew left to go on their journey merely to stop up on the island of the temptress Circe. After he defeated Circe, he stayed with her and was given any sexual favours by her. This shows his failing for lecherousness.

At the furthest border of the ocean & # 8217 ; s watercourse was the land where all journey to when they die. With instructions from Circe, Odysseus sacrificed a hemorrhage lamb into a cavity so that he would be able to speak to the blind prophesier, who had one time accompanied him and his crew. While at the cavity, Odysseus met the some of the Greeks, including Achilles, the best Grecian combatant at Troy. He meets up with one of his ain work forces who asked to be buried right, and being a loyal adult male, he went back and buried him. This is another good quality of Odysseus.

When the work forces got on the island of the Sun, they saw beautiful sheep, which Odysseus knew was excessively good to be true. He had a feeling that they

were the Gods. But, his work forces ignored all warning and sacrificed cowss. Back at sea, Zeus sent a bolt of lightning at the ship, killing everyone but Odysseus. This shows another smart idea of Odysseus. After being thrown into the sea, Odysseus drifted to the shores of Scheria, the island of the Phaecians. Being strong, Oddysseues survived in the sea.

He eventually reached Ithaca with these great rowers rowing him on in their ship and found that he was about to confront another challenge. Possibly even more annoying than all the old hazards that he has faced outside of Ithaca, was sailing unit of ammunition the great and mighty seas.

& # 8220 ; He took his fast ship down the gulf that clip for a fatal drug to dunk his pointers in and poison the bronze points ; but immature Ilos turned him off, fearing the God & # 8217 ; s wrath. & # 8221 ; ( P225 lines 300-03 )

This quotation mark is supposed to demo that while, Ilos, was afraid to go on their journey Odysseus could non assist but love this peculiar pursuit because it showed great surprise in work forces. Besides, non merely any baronial adult male, but Odysseus, would take such a great destiny, a hero in the eyes of Pallas Athena.

Book II was named & # 8220 ; A Hero & # 8217 ; s Son Awakes. & # 8221 ; Hero being the word used to depict Odysseus. The boy being of our hero Odysseus. The boy spoke extremely of Odysseus & # 8217 ; s strength and illustriousness to anyone who would listen. Without our hero & # 8217 ; s strength and cognition at that place was no 1 brave sufficiency to protect the people from danger because there was no hero at this point in clip.

While looking at Odysseus & # 8217 ; s short period with the Trojans many can acknowledge that more than a few work forces of ancient times believe he was a true hero.

& # 8220 ; Not that I am calling, far less revealing, every effort of that rugged adult male & # 8230 ; so sworded many Trojans through the organic structure on his manner out with what he learned of theirs. & # 8221 ; ( P255, lines 253-73 )

Peoples would look at him and see him merely as a mendicant disguised amongst the townsfolk. However Odysseus was still held as a hero for his singular efforts. His ability to intermix in while seeking to assail the Trojans helped him to separate his features as a hero in many people & # 8217 ; s eyes. Most would hold expected a full frontal onslaught alternatively they were shown a well-composed program of a mastermind.

Gently I pleaded, but they turned cold and still the Laistrygonian tallness and far fastness of Lamos. ( P321, lines 75-87 )

Odysseus was able show to a much strong side to him than of all time imagined. He was strong both physically and mentally and it showed in his actions. Who would hold thought that a adult male with such high pride would plead clemency towards person? Though attempt as he did, his pleading could non excel the fact that his ocean trip was cursed by Eden. The events that he tells us throughout his pursuit shows gallantry in themselves ; the adversaries that he came across and the skits that play between them show great bravery that merely a hero could continue.

I had drawn my blade and cut my ain ships overseas telegram we excessively breathe to sorrow for our comrades. ( P322, lines 134-42 )

No less than a hero would put on the line his ain crew and life in order to carry through a mission. To sail off from the wretchedness that he faced amongst Lamos. His crew being smashed to smithereens he was able to go on on his manner without vacillation in order to deliver safety for his crew and himself. Odysseus knew of his ain bequest.

What if Odysseus came? -And I can state you, there is hope of that- or if the adult male is done for, still his boy lives to be reckoned with, by Apollo s will. ( P439, lines 91-4 )

However, Odysseus was non merely the lone 1 who knew of his achievements, but his people did excessively. How could person who has lived during this clip non hear the narratives of Odysseus s strength? Although at times he disguised himself as a mendicant, he was still Odysseus ; some people could non see past that.

Many knew of Odysseus s ocean trips and life. A hero is defined as any individual, clairvoyance. a adult male, admired for bravery, aristocracy, etc. and the cardinal male character in a novel, drama, etc. Odysseus fits this definition like a key in a lock. Odysseus had aristocracy, everyone around him was able to see that ; he had bravery, his people and crewmates saw that throughout his efforts. The 2nd definition was besides depicting our hero, Odysseus ; he was the cardinal character of the novel. His many efforts gave him impossible regard by others. Both his crew and household knew of his bequest and his committedness to liberating his