Examples Of Heroism In The Odyssey

Soorya Haravu Ms. Philipp English I Honors 10 April 2023 A Fire Behind the Silver Mirror The highlights of one’s career often outshine the darker experiences that really define his or her capability. Some of the most incapable leaders will hide their vast incompetencies under a spark of wisdom or strength that most think defines their career.

Melanie Janania Ms. Petrosino English 9 CPA 12 January 2023 Has an action ever been done with such determination the action was considered a heroic act? Has a character been brave enough to save people by successfully acting on a heroic act? Heroism can be demonstrated with both “Courage,” a poem produced by Anna Sexton, and “The Odyssey,” a tale told by Homer. “Courage” can be described as being inclusive and considering actions everyone embarked. “The Odyssey” is a tale of an epic hero who faces challenges when faced with eagerness to arrive home.

Claudia Martin-Park Mr.Hatchel Honors English 9 Period 5 April 24 2023 Who is More Heroic Penelope or Odysseus Hero: a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. When it comes to the true definition of a hero, who or what actually exhibits more heroism in their own historical narrative than the others? To be specific In the epic poem The Odyssey, Odysseus demonstrates much greater heroism than Penelope.

This demonstrates the statement that not all “Heros” are the perfect people some are made to believe. However a few bad deeds can still be overshadowed by the greater acts a man

Odysseus could be considered an epic hero because he has a numerous amount of characteristics that make him so. For example, he’s very loyal, for instance, when Odysseus’ men get caught, trapped, and turned into pigs. “Circe gives Odysseus a magic drink, but it does not affect him, and he threatens to kill her with his sword. Circe turns the pigs back into men and puts them all into a trance.” (Homer 15).

In every story or situation that is occurring, there is a hero or a person that you feel takes care of the problem. There are plenty of characteristics that a hero should have that draws you toward them. Odysseus exemplifies a hero through his strategic moves, perseverance, and being responsible. Odysseus demonstrates his strategic moves in the Odyssey during the Trojan war. Odysseus’s brilliant idea is to create a wooden horse.

The concept of hero has been interpreted in many ways throughout the ages. Hero have gone from knights slaying dragons and rescuing the princess, to heroes who save the world with their supernatural-like powers, to a modern day hero who is someone who has noble qualities and is regarded as a role model. In the epic, The Odyssey, by Robert Fagles, the heroic Odysseus is a well known in Greek mythology. However, although Odysseus is the most respected, honorable hero of Greek mythology he is not a modern hero. A modern day hero is someone who puts their life on the line to save the lives of other innocent people.

Abnormalities are always present in the mind of mankind; no man is complete perfection. This idea presents itself multiple times in Homer’s The Odyssey through the actions of the main character, Odysseus. There are multiple manners that Odysseus presents his attributes of a hero on his journey home as shown in Homer’s The Odyssey; each attribute is slightly different from others for each hero has his own flaws and is not always perfect.

A hero is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities. In the movie, Odysseus shows that he is a hero by showing off his bravery and courage to defeat several monsters. He showed courage when he faced the Cyclops, when he met Lotus Eaters, and when he went back to Ithaca to see his wife. Odysseus and his men went to the cave to show the Cyclops that they are better than him. The Cyclops got angry when he got back to his cave since Odysseus and his men were eating the Cyclops’ food.

Even though everyone perceives Odysseus, main character of Homer’s Odyssey as the ideal hero, Superman is obviously the real hero. So what Odysseus went away from home for 20 years? Superman left his home 35 years ago, and can’t even return home because his is completely destroyed. Odysseus can only use his “special bow” only he can string while Superman has superhuman hearing, sight, and strength.

Odysseus portrays those three heroic traits throughout his voyage home to Ithaca, which is why he is a hero. Odysseus is highly dedicated to his reputation and ego for the whole of his rocky and treacherous journey. From going up against a cyclops that is five times the size of him, to placing wax upon his crewmates’ ears to mute the singing of the Sirens, Odysseus is brave when he faces his fears and intelligent when he creates lifesaving tools from ship materials. A modern hero can be someone who saves a life or even sacrifices his or her own for someone else. Odysseus can be compared to a modern hero because he risks his own life to protect his crewmates.

“Of all that breathes and crawls across the earth, our mother earth breeds nothing feebler than a man. So long as the gods grant him power, spring in his knees, he thinks he will never suffer affliction down the years. But then, when the happy gods bring on the long hard times, bear them he must, against his will, and steel his heart. Our lives, our mood and mind as we pass across the earth, turn as the days turn . . .” The Odyssey, although it was composed near the end of the 8th century BCE, is a perfect example of good literature.

The decisions and actions Odysseus makes throughout his Odyssey, not only call upon the person he is but shape the person he becomes, with many of the challenges honing his character. Homer uncovers the traits that most befittingly define Odysseus as honor, courage and guile. The traits that are glorified in The Odyssey, connect to recent times because they are comparable to those we think of when defining a hero or an impeccable human being. Odysseus’ use of his honor, courage and guile showcase how these traits allowed him to excel in his time and also are key traits all should have for the challenges we must face in

An epic hero is usually known to be chivalrous; in this case the epic hero, Odysseus, shows qualities of both chivalry and rebellion. To be chivalrous, one does kind acts and is polite. To be rebellious, one breaks the rules in favor of themselves. The epic poem, The Odyssey, written by Homer, has many instances of chivalry and rebellion portrayed by Odysseus, the main character, through his words, his actions and behaviors, and his personality.

As a little girl growing up in Chicago I remember the intensity of the racism conflicts that were ongoing at the time. There were people who seriously thought it was a life or death situation, and sadly I was taught to fear people of color. Martin Luther King was a Baptist minister who thought we should find a way to live together with a mutual respect for each other as God’s children. I have grown to respect his strength and courage to stand up in such times and speak his mind in such opposition to current events. When I was seven he paid for his beliefs with his life, and at that time I did not clearly understand what that meant.