These events lead to him losing crew members and putting them into dangerous situations, elongating his voyage home, and putting his integrity at risk. Odysseus is a hero because he is smart. Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca and protagonist of Homers epic poem the Odyssey was recognized as a great hero of his time. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. He wasn't thinking about his wife and son. Joseph Campbell once said, A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. True heroes are those who do something for others rather for themselves, Odysseus doesnt exactly show this trait in The Odyssey. Odysseus cheats on his wife more than once; it was not a simple lapse in judgment. He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. He is consistently seen to display piety and is perhaps more closely aligned with our ideals of a modern hero in his selfless motivations, comparable to a superhero like Hawkeye whose duty to family trumps all. He never gave up trying to get back home to Ithaca.Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire/ how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him/Odysseus, raider of lost cities, took your eye: Laertes son, whose homes on Ithaca. (1062)This shows that Odysseus is brave because he fights the. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2009., I will be writing a essay of the book The Odyssey written by the person Homer. Odysseus was not the hero, though. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus proves he is not a hero because he is arrogant, secretive, and unfaithful; resulting for readers to believe that every action has an consequence. He takes much conceited pride in He spends five long years on the Island of Calypso and another five with Circe. Another way Odysseus is also a hero is he always finds a way to survive whether he is in conflict or out on the sea. Odysseus is perhaps more closely paralleled to a modern-day hero like Batman or Iron Man. Everyone has their favorite super hero, whether it be Superman, Batman, or even Ironman. Evidence proves that, Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. The Odyssey is the perfect story for examples of archetypes seeing as it has so many of them. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca after ten years of war in Troy. When he faced the Cyclops he stabbed his eye, so the men could get away.The crewmen then escape the cyclops's cave by riding under the bellies of the cyclops's rams as Odysseus even ties each and every one of them to a ram by himself. First example is that he mounted Circes, a woman that helped Odysseus, bed. The superheroes we idealise today are heroes because of their selflessness and commitment to helping others rather than personal motivations. He is different from Achilles and Odysseus in that he is a distinctly Roman hero and therefore upholds specifically Roman values, which have already changed from the values that were important in Homers society. What heroic qualities does Odysseus show? A hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. Odysseus shows extremely inadequate leadership qualities throughout the story. Although there has been some evidence that points to Odysseus not being a hero, this essay will give three reasons why Odysseus should be respected as a hero. He may have super hero qualities such as extreme strength and cleverness but he doesnt embody them the way one should. He was a villain and there is no doubt about it. WebOdysseus. The 3 archetypes, Whenever I think of a hero, visions of characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman often come to mind, as these strong figures have save their respective communities from danger using their remarkable skills. On a website posted by teachers at Harker Heights High, an epic hero is someone who embodies the values of a particular society. Odysseus, hes known as a war hero on his way back to his homeland, who ends up going on a ten year long journey due to unforeseen circumstances. Odysseus doesnt deserve the title of a hero because he made bad decisions that affected his crew poorly, Athena did almost all of the work in getting him home, and he cheated on his wife multiple times throughout his journey home. Ed. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. Odysseus is thought of as a hero in the physical and spiritual sense because of his bravery while facing the many dangers of creatures, goddesses, and many other things for almost 20 years trying to get home to his wife and son. On the island of Cicones,and with his encounter with Polyphemus, Odysseus learned that bragging can bring great misfortune. Odysseus is hard to classify because of his contradicting traits. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. A hero is a figure undertaking a quest (Odysseus). Heading home, to Ithaca, Odysseus is faced upon many obstacles that he and his men try to overcome, but in the end substantiate that Odysseus is a villain. The, Odysseus is perhaps more closely paralleled to a modern-day hero like Batman or Iron Man. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. One trait that Odysseus has is that he is very clever. Odysseus portrays his selfishness right as the book begins and this shows how truly incompetent of an individual he is. Of course he did, he just didnt care. Odysseus was faithful and loyal. (For tales of his wanderings see Polyphemus, Aeolus, the Laestrygones, Circe, the Underworld, the Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis, Lampetia & Phaethusa, Calypso, Leucothea .) In addition to saving lives a hero should be humble, Odysseus does not fit that description, his hubris is as big as the moon.      Is Odysseus, the main character of Homers The Odyssey, really an epic hero? He is superhuman. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. Odysseus is not the epitome of an epic hero., Hero? The old soldier in despair: He has spent ten years (seven of them as Calypsos not entirely unwillingly captive) trying to get home (652, summary). She only wanted Odysseus to come home and for the suitors to stop eating their food. One strong archetype in the Odyssey is the hero archetype. WebEvidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. Another way in which Odysseus shows he is a villain is when he finally reunites with his wife Penelope and reacts with rage when she tests him. He is selfish, disloyal, hypocritical and harsh; everything a hero is not. One of the motifs for which Homer has set the precedent is heroes: Homeric heroism is a concept that is widely discussed within scholarship. Odysseus comments that his crew tried to calm him down and get him to stop talking, but he. If you wish to support us, please check out our range of merchandise, available now on Redbubble. These events lead to him losing crew members and Homer said, But Odysseus shot his right hand out, clutching the nurses throat. He told her not to tell anyone who he really is. Kalypso, Odysseus only cares about himself and his personal benefits, like a villain. When the men said Why not take these cheeses, Archetypes are characteristics or characters that can define a hero. Odysseus says, Then he tore them apart and gobbled them up like a lion in the wilderness He also neglects to let them know of the journey that lies ahead. WebOdysseus, Hero or Villain? The general picture that comes to mind when the word hero is said is the idea of Superman or Wonder Woman; however, a true hero is anyone who tries to make their world a better place. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. Most of these mistakes could have been fixed by Odysseus making better decisions throughout his journey. Well drive the kids and lambs aboard. He is not a hero, however, when his Despite multiple pleas to return to fighting, he continually refuses until his companion Patroclus is killed by Hector. In addition, when the cyclops asks Odysseus for his name he responds. From him angering Poseidon by blinding his Cyclopes son Prometheus, to Zeus striking down his ship, Odysseus did not have the gods on his side during his journey home. Odysseus puts everything at risk in order to get his men home safely. Is Odysseus a hero? If Odysseus took the cheese and left, his men would not have had to dealt with Polyphemus. For example, when his men are tempted by the Lotus eaters or captured by Circe, Odysseus rushes to save them without hesitation. Hero; Of course Odysseus. The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. But, in his adventure home Odysseus is definitely not taking the responsibility of a hero among his men. He is brave, but also conceited. Odysseus is a different type of hero to Achilles: his heroic qualities stem from his quick wit and clever tactics rather than brute strength in battle. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. He also leads his men into their own fates. This is not how I would describe Odysseus from the book The Odyssey by Homer, everyone always thought of Odysseus as the hero of the story, but he was quite the opposite. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not humble or good at accepting the help that he received, and he also acted before synthesizing the consequences that he would face in the future. sword from my hip I went along his flank to stab him where the midriff, There is yet one more difference between Odysseus and the other two heroes which may help to find the reason why his tale does not end, Lizeth Marin Honors Introduction to Literature Period 3 18 April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? Odysseus is not a hero because he killed a lot of men, whom he didn't know, to save his family. I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. There are many things that can prove otherwise. So those are just a few instances in the story where he shows compassion for his comrades and truly cares about them. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. Lets just say he stabbed Poseidons son, had his crew turned into pigs, faced a six-headed monster and whirlpool, and that is to say the least. Once back to Ithaca there were many suitors insulting him, his wife, son, house, and the gods and begging for Penelopes hand in marriage. The defining characteristics of Odysseus in classical literature are interpreted in wildly different ways by different authors: he is portrayed as a hero in Homers The Odysseus is a villain because he is stubborn in Polyphemuss cave, disrespectful to the gods, and is unfaithful to his wife. These events lead to him losing crew members and putting them into dangerous situations, elongating his voyage home, and putting his integrity at risk. And he was also cocky and arrogant with his overconfidence which caused tension between him, the Cyclops, and. Then Odysseus threatened her. For example, when Odysseus and his men approach the giant he offers him liquor to wash down your scraps of men (Homer 991). In a more popular example even modern man was made too look grand yet realistic in the sculpture of David done by Michelangelo. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus earns the title of a true hero by conveying many qualities such as: determination, courage and leadership. So Odysseus is not a hero for his family. Odysseus of Ithaka. He knows that the boulder that is blocking the entrance is heavy so he doesn 't kill Polyphemus. In many cases he only saves himself, he is selfish, and he isnt humble. Odysseus says, Then he tore them apart and gobbled them up like a lion in the wilderness, Odysseus the main man The Captain is he really a hero or a villain? Odysseus defies the suitors and wins his wife and kingdom back. She clearly states that she loves Odysseus and her heart could be given to no other: Forgive me, dont be angry. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. Odysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology. With the help of the gods he can survive things most men couldnt., I think Odysseus fits the title of a hero very well. One of the many reasons I believe this is because he shows that he cares for his comrades. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Odysseus, man of exceptional wit, bravery, and intelligence, epic hero The Odyssey written by Homer, is nothing short of extraordinary. Odysseus then has many hardships upon which he overcomes through his intelligence and wit. He is unfaithful to Penelope many times throughout the book. However, women who both loved and knew Odysseus than anyone, thought of him differently and knew him in depth. WebOdysseus inherits many character traits that make a good hero, but the ones that truly outshine the rest are how Odysseus is very rational and has a very sharp intellect. The Odyssey, by Homer, has a large range of stories in it. Odysseus from the Ancient Greek epic The Odyssey by Homer is often considered a hero, although he does not share the same characteristics that most people who are considered heroes in todays popular culture have. Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. Odysseus appears to be heroic but looking closer this rash decision was selfish. A hero is someone who, in spite of weakness, doubt or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway and this shows the quality of a hero that the well-known hero, Odysseus, does not have. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as Calypsos captive for Odysseus is also a master tactician whose complex plans save his crew and help him regain his crown. I wished to see the cave man, what he had to offerno pretty sight, it turned out for my friends. Six of Odysseus men are eaten because of his ridiculous folly. Odysseus is a hero because he is a courageous leader, a quick thinker and a modest man. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. This shows that he is selfish because he doesn't care about the nurse. Odysseus, the protagonist of Homers The Odyssey, is not a good example of a modern hero. Odysseus was also selfish when he sailed near the lands of Sirens.Steer wide; keep well to seaward; plug your oarsmens ears with beeswax kneaded soft(Homer 669-671). However, he is also a villain; he intrudes and assaults helpless creatures and also he returns home expecting his wife Penelope not to have cheated on him while he was gone. He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. Reflection, Pages 9 (2149 words) Views. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? WebOdysseus is an epic hero because he cares about his family, he is intelligent and he shows courage and because he shows determination. The goddess of war, Athena, told Odysseus what he should do to save them and helped him get home. He returns to the fight purely for the selfish reason of avenging Patroclus death, rather than for the noble cause of Greek victory. An epic hero is braver, stronger, and cleverer than an ordinary person. One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. The trojans didn't know Odysseus and his men were inside the big wooden horse, Odysseus and his men eventually came out and attacked the trojans and won the war. Odysseus also possesses the personal qualities of an epic hero. Crying is often seen as a weakness in a man, but this makes Odysseus more endearing as it reveals the labour of his love. He is not a selfish hero: instead, his drive is to his people and to found a new city that will eventually become Rome. See if a hero transforms This allows readers to truly see Odysseus other side. This is what underpins a modern-day hero, and it drastically differs from the ancient perceptions of heroism. This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. Dont married people promise to be faithful, no matter what? He has the qualities of being a hero in some situations but also has flaws which make him seem less of a hero at times. He has no regard for anyones feelings but his own, and he believes nothing and no one can harm him, not even the gods. Despite Odysseus' overconfident nature, Odysseus proves he is a hero by showing bravery and intelligence. WebOdysseus has the defining character traits of a Homeric leader: strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, and confidence in his authority. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Also in The Odyssey, Odysseus makes careless decisions which lead them into trouble. Aeneass epithet is pius, which does not have a precise translation but encompasses duty and patriotism to gods, country, and family. Achilles heroism stems from his excellence in battle and not necessarily his own personal virtues. 1. A hero to me is supposed to save lives. He first shows his Valiant behavior during the war in Troy, he cares about his crew and survives the war. So Athena is the real. The Iliad contains a multitude of these heroes, since the focus of the action is on the Trojan War and various characters stories within this narrative. The old soldier in despair: He has spent ten years (seven of them as Calypsos not entirely unwillingly captive) trying to get home (652, summary). Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. WebOdysseus is a villain because he is stubborn in Polytheisms cave, disrespectful to the gods, and is unfaithful to his wife. The hero's journey is about self-discovery and self-development. WebThe Hero The constant strife for self-satisfaction Is often taxing. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Odysseus goes through his life believing he is the best. Odysseus had come up with a plan for his men during the war. Odysseus left Calypsos Island and began his journey back home. An epic hero struggles and is overwhelmed with difficulties. Many would argue that Odysseus is more of a villain nowadays, for every instance of his wiliness or feats of strength there are These statues usually period pieces from Italian or French masters such as Donatello or Praxiteles were always sculpting realistic visions of the Gods such as Hermes.