In the odyssey how is odysseus a hero

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. Emphasizing on Odysseus's time on Polyphemus's …show more content… His bragging almost results in the death of his entire crew.

Odysseus doesn't think highly of his men, and this is apparent throughout the entire story. One can be judged by their actions, but what truly shapes a person is their personality. Odysseus is an over-confident and ill-tempered man. On the cyclops's island, Odysseus's boasting nearly proves costly. A modest and heroic person would have had his men in mind, rather than himself, and left the island.

Also, Odysseus revealing his true identity to the cyclops could very well have resulted in the death of his men. This prophecy, of course, becomes a reality. Another sign of Odysseus's over-confidence shows while he is explaining himself to King Alcinous.

In some of his first words to the king, Odysseus again boasts of his accomplishments. Another very important fact is Odysseus's position on monogamy. Odysseus believes he's above monogamy, as he stays with many goddesses during his journeys while Penelope stays faithful at home. A hero is not a boasting, over-confident person, but someone who does their actions for no reward.

In conclusion, many of Odysseus's. In other ways, however, he seems slow to learn. The most notable example being his difficulty in controlling his men. After the victory over the Cicones, Odysseus wisely wants to take the plunder and depart quickly 9.

His men prefer to stay, leading to a defeat at the hands of reinforcements. When Aeolus grants the Greeks fair winds to Ithaca, Odysseus falls asleep within sight of home, enabling his suspicious, undisciplined crew to open the bag of ill winds and let loose a tempest that blows them off course.

Again, on the island of the Sungod Helios, Odysseus' men disobey strict orders and feast on the sacred cattle when he goes inland to pray and falls asleep. The struggles Odysseus faces make his growth as a character more realistic and more credible because it is not simple or absolute.

Previous Book Next Penelope. Removing book from your Reading List will also remove any bookmarked pages associated with this title. Are you sure you want to remove bookConfirmation and any corresponding bookmarks? My Preferences My Reading List. The Odyssey Homer. Odysseus uses his intellect to trick and outsmart opponents during his year journey.

Odysseus, going through these tough battles, had to suffer losses. Odysseus was that kind of man that cared for his men and mourned them, but he knew that life must go on. That lead to a caring side of him that is expressed as he goes through the monster Scylla and whirlpool Charybdis Homer, , page After ten years of war, he finally sets sail to return.

Internal and external forces dramatically change the long, arduous trek for Odysseus and his crew. In the book, The Odyssey, by Homer, the protagonist, Odysseus, is making his way home after fighting in the Trojan war with his faithful comrades.

Along the way, he meets danger, death, and divine beings. As he struggles to make his way home with his crew, he finds out that his wife is being courted by suitors and his son has lost most control over his home. In order to then make it home, Odysseus relies on the loyalty of his crew to him, but it is deserved? Odysseus and his men have a lot of willpower to continue traveling after some dangerous and life risking experiences with cannibals, lotus-eaters, cyclops and many more creatures that could of killed Odysseus and his whole crew.

Odysseus's confidence and epic hero traits only increase as the story goes on, his confidence in his men increase as he starts noticing how strong and powerful his men can be, and also shows confidence in. Before the long journey home Odysseus was one of the most respected and important military advisors and leaders. In the end, his skills and craft aid him in finally getting home to his wife and son. The Odyssey has a number of motifs which are demonstrated throughout the story and help Odysseus find his way home.

His leadership guides his ship crew and they loyally follow him wherever he goes. Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, is a man that is looked at as a celebrity by humans because of his skillful fighting, and by the gods because of his intelligence and wits. Why does Calypso allow Odysseus to leave her island? Why does Odysseus sleep with Circe? Why does Odysseus travel to Hades? Why does Odysseus fail to reveal his identity to Penelope when they are first reunited?

Does Penelope really intend to marry one of her suitors? How do Odysseus and Telemachus defeat the suitors? Characters Odysseus.

Previous section Character List Next section Telemachus.