Odysseus portrays his selfishness right as the book begins and this shows how truly incompetent of an individual he is. He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. When on the beach in Phaeacia he confidently stalked as a mountain lion exultant in his power strides through wind and rain and his eyes blaze and he charges sheep or oxen or chases wild deer , and when he sees Nausicaa He launched in at once, endearing, sly and suave . He never failed to remember his main goal was to get back to his wife and son in Ithaca.Odysseus was brave enough to conquer these many obstacles on his way home. 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). 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. Humans make mistakes, and seeing Odysseus failures humanizes him and makes him more realistic. This allows readers to truly see Odysseus other side. A hero is someone who is compassionate, selfless, and wise. However he had respect for the gods (Athene), a strong sense of duty, (will always go back for his men) showed great honour and was highly regarded by his men and peers. Superman, for example, is considered a hero because despite not having any personal stakes in Earth as he is a superpowered alien he consistently tries to save the world and the people living in it. Odysseus, the hero in Homers epic poem The Odyssey, fought in the Trojan War and embarked on a ten year journey to return to his kingdom, Ithaca. The themes of warfare, human emotion, loss, and struggle are enduring and can resonate with anyone across the world. Another way in which Odysseus shows he is a villain is when he finally reunites with his wife. Kalypso, Odysseus only cares about himself and his personal benefits, like a villain. 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. Odysseus defies the suitors and wins his wife and kingdom back. 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. Due to the fact that hes very noble and brave (and in an epic poem), that makes him an epic hero. Also if you ask me, yes a hero can commit crimes. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. Odysseus was well known for being a hero. You can just put effort into it and try as hard as you can. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. He makes Odysseus look brave and heroic. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. WebOdysseus is Not a Hero for the Modern Age Essay. In many cases he only saves himself, he is selfish, and he isnt humble. Odysseus: Hero or Villain - 638 Words | Studymode A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. The first archetype i 'll be explaining is the hero, characteristics of a hero, sage, and villain. 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. Why Is Odysseus Not Considered A Hero? - FAQS Clear The first reasons why Odysseus is a hero is because he risks his life for crew multiple times throughout the story. For generations people have been correct to honor the great Odysseus, for his actions along his adventures. This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. Homer is describing the crew lashing Odysseus to the mast so that he may hear the sirens sing. Odysseus, when it comes to his crew and family, is confident, compassionate, wise, and always knows a way to get out of any problem. Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns. This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. Odysseus 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. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. The hero's journey is about self-discovery and self-development. Odysseus was a authentic persuasive speaker and genuinely intelligent. WebODYSSEUS A hero of the Trojan War, whose fleet was blown off course in a storm on his return. Another way Odysseus' quick-decision skills helps him is when he chooses to leave the island of the Lotous-eaters, because he realized his whole crew would have fell under the curse if he had stayed there. Odysseuss actions may seem selfless and/or heroic however they are actually being mistaken for acts of selfishness. He tried at great measures to help his men return home to Ithaca alive. Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. But, in his adventure home Odysseus is definitely not taking the responsibility of a hero among his men. 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. Odysseus The quintessential hero of the Iliad is Achilles, aristos achaion (the best of the Greeks), who is the most esteemed warrior in Homeric epic. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. 1. Odysseus She only wanted Odysseus to come home and for the suitors to stop eating their food. Aeneass epithet is pius, which does not have a precise translation but encompasses duty and patriotism to gods, country, and family. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. He reveals this trait specifically when, This action alone can show just what type of person Odysseus actually is which include traits of an inconsiderate, dishonest man. Odysseus shows extremely inadequate leadership qualities throughout the story. thinks of himself as a hero. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. The crew tries to get Odysseus to be quiet, but his ego gets in the way, and he tells Polyphemus his name; leading to Polyphemus cursing him and his men to make the journey home slow and painful. In "The Odyssey," written by Homer is an epic poem about a man named Odysseus and his crewmates competing against the power of the gods to return to their homeland, Ithaca. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as Calypsos captive for a time. One of the many situations Odysseus survives is his encounter with Skylla. When trapped on Calypsos island he shows no attempt to escape and instead finds pleasure in being their. Don't waste your time on revenge. Odysseus, the crafty ruler of Ithaca is not a hero because of his lack of many important heroic qualities. For example,We lit a fire, burnt an offering, and we took some cheese to eat; then sat in silence around the embers, waiting(Homer 219-222). Achilles, Odysseus, and Aeneas are undoubtedly heroes but they would all certainly feel out of place in a superhero movie of today! While he was extremely driven by one goal, getting back home to his family, he performed some not-so heroic deeds on his quest and once he arrived back in Ithaca. Odysseus has a large and gallant reputation to fulfil, but when he first makes an appearance in the book he is crying on Calypsos island. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca after ten years of war in Troy. A hero consists of anyone who puts their best selves forward in service to humanity. 48. Odysseus relies on his wit to help him in battle and on his journey home, just as Batman and Iron Man use mental acuity to build their own suits and gadgets. Odysseus of Ithaka. In the epic poetry, The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus exhibits his arrogance, foolishness, and his lack of leadership in which it leads to him going home by himself. If Odysseus took the cheese and left, his men would not have had to dealt with Polyphemus. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. This shows that he is really selfish because instead of sacrificing his life he was thinking about him self and he killed his crew members. However, women who both loved and knew Odysseus than anyone, thought of him differently and knew him in depth. Sometimes being a hero is difficult. The possession of the character trait, arrogance, does not help him in escaping, but rather puts him closer to danger. Throughout the novel The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus continuously shows his personality of being an admirable hero to everyone by using strategy instead of strength. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. This is Walter White. Odysseus was probably think that if he and his army defeated Troy than they would have any more trouble with anyone, but, April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? Many would argue that Odysseus is more of a villain nowadays, for every instance of his wiliness or feats of strength there are Evidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. He takes the punishment of Antinous and the other suitors without saying a word and is able to see those who have invaded his house. After all that Odysseus has done to the crew, it is true to. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. A modern hero is recognized by the goodness in their heart. Not every narrative has one. Once back to Ithaca there were many suitors insulting him, his wife, son, house, and the gods and begging for Penelopes hand in marriage. However, he has many traits that explain his clouded judgement. Odysseus makes a plan to stab the cyclops in the eye, which leads the crew members to run for their lives to get to their ships. The simple acts of heroism are often overlooked-thats very clear to me not only in war but in peace (source 2). Is Odysseus a Hero The opening line of The Odyssey introduces Odysseus by his epithet, the man of twists and turns.. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. Odysseus feels he is always the leader and no one can tell him otherwise. In the age of postmodernism, there are instances where a person can be both a hero and a villain. So if his gifts and talents are god's power then is he really a hero at all?, Certainly, people can argue both ways and support their arguments from evidence in the reading. This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. Throughout the book of the Odyssey, Odysseus does some things that may have been wrong, but in his mind was he doing the right thing? He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. Instead, Odysseus only hurts him. He is shown to be clever but flawed, as his pride leads him to reveal his identity to Polyphemus in Odyssey 9, enabling the cyclops to pray to Poseidon and curse the rest of his journey back to Ithaca. During his quest to return home, he encounters many supernatural forces that show both his heroic, and not so heroic actions. 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. The gods punished him by stranding him at sea for more than ten years without being able to go home. You make my stiff heart know that I am yours. Penelope never once considered cheating on Odysseus so why couldnt Odysseus pay her the same courtesy. He cares more about honor than the safety of his crew. Odysseus as a Hero He does not have any supernatural abilities unlike Achilles who is the son of a goddess and so has superhuman strength and speed. When they get there they see a giantess who then calls her husband. He wasn't thinking about his wife and son. A hero takes many forms, such as an allegorical hero, a tragic hero, or an epic hero. He makes another smart decision in choosing to go through Skylla instead of Kharybdis because only six of his crew members die instead of the whole crew. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. Odysseus, man of exceptional wit, bravery, and intelligence, epic hero The Odyssey written by Homer, is nothing short of extraordinary. From Villain to Hero They can be villains, scapegoats, damsels in distress, and the hero themself . First off, Odysseus had to leave his family to go to Troy. 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. He has no regard for anyones feelings but his own, and he believes nothing and no one can harm him, not even the gods. So Odysseus is not a hero for his family. Many would argue that Odysseus is more of a villain nowadays, for every instance of his wiliness or feats of strength there are several of venality, vice, cruelty, or selfishness. He is not a selfish hero: instead, his drive is to his people and to found a new city that will eventually become Rome. The archetype of heroism allows an individual to serve as the primary example of what society deems, archetypes the hero, villain/monster, and the damsel in distress. We say put out again on good salt water. Yet, I refused. Odysseus is a hero because he returns home with a changed perspective which reflects his heroic abilities, such as his bravery and dedication to return home. He is on a quest for something of great value to him or his people. Athena found him to be so winning, so worldly wise, so self possessed! . Free Essay: Odysseus: Hero or Villain - 663 Words Although Odysseus does cheat on Penelope with Kalypso, he still remains loyal, and his love for her hardly wanes. He rushed to save his men for honor. Even though there is a large gap in space between Odysseus travels and the present, human nature and weakness still share the same obstacles. 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. However, once again, Odysseus motivations are ultimately selfish: the, Moving away from Homer, another hero of ancient epic is Aeneas from Virgils, Academus Education is an online learning platform providing free Classics Education to students through summer schools, articles and digital think tanks. Essay On Odysseus Being A Hero - Internet Public Library If a hero is reinforced as a hero, The innate nature of humanistic narcissism strengthens. When Odysseus slaughters the Trojans, he starts to act like he was greater than any god. He knew he was a villain and somehow still got away with. The mighty Odysseus is many, many things but he is no hero in my eyes. Need a custom essay on the same Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. is Odysseus In this case, he is a hero in this story because, Cited: Homer. He realizes and readily admits that opinions other than his own make complete sense yet he refuses to acknowledge them and ends up dragging others into danger Odysseus himself says My men came pressing round me pleading: Why not take these cheeses, and make a run for it? WebFrom Villain to Hero explores the reception of Odysseus in philosophy, a subject that so far has been treated only in tangential or limited ways. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. He told her not to tell anyone who he really is. Well known heroes do not kill people with no sympathy or mercy. However, think about his so called heroic actions and the way he made everything work out for his own benefits. That is why he began this trudge across lands in the first place; to be a hero. In Homers, The Odyssey, I believe that Odysseus is a true modern hero. Odysseus makes some substantial mistakes, thus leading to the failure to his men. Although they shouldn't commit them often only when it is absolutely necessary. With Michelles humanitarian work and benevolent attitude, she helps those in need while trying to better society. Diverging from previous studies, Towards the begging of the story Odysseus and his men get trapped in a cave by a Cyclopes The Cyclops is eating his men so Odysseus decides he must kill the Cyclops in order to save the remainder of his men. Peter Simon. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. In The Odyssey, Odysseus along with his men try to go back home to Ithaca but due to Odysseus nature, only he actually returns alive. Another decision Odysseus makes to survive is not eating the cattle of Helios while on Thrinikia, his crew members choice in eating the hallowed cows results in their death, but Odysseus knew the consequences and did not touch a cow. He takes the punishment of Antinous and the other suitors without saying a word and is able to see those who have invaded his house. Achilles heroism stems from his excellence in battle and not necessarily his own personal virtues. King of Megcenae on Twitter Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. 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. Moving away from Homer, another hero of ancient epic is Aeneas from Virgils Aeneid. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. While traveling from Troy back to his home in Ithaka, King Odysseus overcomes daunting obstacles, and in doing so discovers his place in the world. Odysseus was considered a hero among the people in Ancient Greek times. Neither does he lack in ingenuity, King Nestor said that No onecould hope to rival Odysseus, not for sheer cunningat every twist of strategy he excelled us all . WebFrom Villain to Hero explores the reception of Odysseus in philosophy, a subject that so far has been treated only in tangential or limited ways. He was also the king of Ithaca and the prime protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey. WebOdysseus should not be considered a hero because he portrays himself as a selfish man that failed his crew, and is controlled by his hubris. He put himself before his men because he wanted a gift from the cave owner. While Odysseus many adventures are very exciting, he spends a considerable amount of time cheating on his wife (with. In consequence he possibly endangers the rest of his crew from safely reaching home by endangering himself. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. With this presentation, I will explore Odysseus' heroic role in the ancient world and whether or not he could be considered a hero for our modern culture. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. Odysseus goes through his life believing he is the best. Another plan he implemented was to kill the suitors which is also a success because Odysseus and Telemakos themselves kill over a hundred men without an injury to themselves .Odysseus is a quick-thinker whose resourceful ideas save many lives. Human weaknesses can still prevail through even the strongest men you may think of; examples of this are shown in this epic. He is unfaithful to Penelope many times throughout the book. On Ithaca Odysseus never brags to the suitors and is able to enter his house with the Antinous and the other suitors knowing his real identity. In addition, when the cyclops asks Odysseus for his name he responds. Odysseus feels he is always the leader and no one can tell him otherwise. Odysseus is perhaps more closely paralleled to a modern-day hero like Batman or Iron Man. He was a role model for his son Telemachus who wanted to be like him. He not only slays all of the suitors but also the slave girls who slept with them, an act of violence that is morally abhorrent by modern standards. So those are just a few instances in the story where he shows compassion for his comrades and truly cares about them. He is cunning, sly, suave, strong, confident and self-possessed. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. WebOdysseus is a villain because he is stubborn in Polytheisms cave, disrespectful to the gods, and is unfaithful to his wife. Odysseus clearly believes that he is above the rules that most people in society chose to, Odysseus tends to make rash decisions and often finds it impossible to control his impulses. No person is perfect, and challenging the ideas of who a hero is reveals the illusion of perfection. According to our views, Odysseus is definitely one of, if not the one, ideal hero of the ancient Greek world., All heroes have a certain attribute or character that made them stand out from the rest of the crowd or society. Odysseus is also a master tactician whose complex plans save his crew and help him regain his crown. Odysseus portrays himself as anything but a hero throughout Homers The Odyssey. 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). While he is not a modern hero, he is a compelling character in the Odyssey, and the reader roots for him to achieve his goal of returning to Ithaca. 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. Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. Odysseus is no hero, if anything, he is more of a villain. In another place in the book, six of Odysseuss best men are killed by the six headed beast Scylla. The only life Odysseus saved was his own. Homer was truly the precedent of works to follow from Greek tragedy to Virgils Aeneid, the influence of Homer on the ancient world was undeniable. So Athena is the real. Odysseus is another prominent example of a Homeric hero. Odysseus had many affairs and was disloyal to his wife, slaughtered hundreds of people in the name of righteousness, and above all, exemplifies hubris, or arrogant pride. Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? Circe had warned Odysseus about Scylla to not try and fight her even when she already has six of his men, but he did not listen to her advice and tried to fight her and lost three more of his men. From Villain to Hero explores the reception of Odysseus in philosophy, a subject that so far has been treated only in tangential or limited ways. From Villain to Hero He also showed great Athleticism which was very important and highly regarded. She came up with a ruse so she could stall having to remarry: Ruses served my turnwith honor. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. Instead of beginning with fighting the Cyclops, he takes his time and sets up a plan. During his journey back home to Ithaca, Odysseus commited adultery twice. The main character is a man named Odysseus who displays hero characteristics throughout the book. When a leader mistakes his selfish decisions as heroic it can place him and the people around him in danger. 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). While this is undoubtedly a noble deed, Odysseus slips up more than he does any good, therefore making it unfit to call him a hero. First example is that he mounted Circes, a woman that helped Odysseus, bed. Odysseus said, comrades riven in agony/ shrieking out my name // angler poised on a jutting rock // gasping out their lives. One of the motifs for which Homer has set the precedent is heroes: Homeric heroism is a concept that is widely discussed within scholarship. In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. However, Odysseus displays certain characteristics that seem to only hold weight in an ancient definition of a hero. Homers Iliad and Odyssey are defining and seminal works that have an enduring legacy on literature, art, and society in both the modern and ancient world. 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. The Odyssey: Odysseus Quotes | SparkNotes In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, the main character Odysseus is a valiant king who embarks on a life-changing voyage. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. This is what underpins a modern-day hero, and it drastically differs from the ancient perceptions of heroism. He was very competitive and tried to be better than anyone else and insured his name lived on forever. During his long and perilous journey home Odysseus shows many heroic qualities that help save his men from many dangerous situations. Odysseus appears to be heroic but looking closer this rash decision was selfish. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise.      Is Odysseus, the main character of Homers The Odyssey, really an epic hero? It is sometimes difficult to reconcile this man with the one who willingly gives up eternal life for the moral condition and the chance to return to his wife. Some historians have argued for years that he is a noble hero, and others say he is just a man trying to get home from many hardship and challenges, however Odysseus is the definition of a hero. I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. Odysseus was also a prominent character in another Homeric epic, the Iliad. During this time, did he bother to think of Penelope and how hurt she would feel? In one of Homers classic epics, The Odyssey, Odysseus is admired by many people as a man who has intelligence, nobility, and confidence. The Odyssey. The Norton Anthology of World Literature: Shorter Second Edition. He was known for his defining Odysseus is difficult to identify as a hero because of his many vices. Odysseus is not a hero because he killed a lot of men, whom he didn't know, to save his family. Third example is that when the nurce, Eurcilia bathed Odysseus when he was wearing a disguise, she found a scar on him that he got years ago. His pride clouds his mind and he wants the fame of being the only man to have survived the Sirens song, he never once considers what might have happened had he failed. For example, when Odysseus and his men find themselves on Polyphemus's island, Odysseus's actions are self-centered and at the expense of his men. An epic hero struggles and is overwhelmed with difficulties. In Greek literature, Odysseus is known as a hero, but that statement is often contested. Take a deeper look into the definition of a hero and explore a character analysis of epic hero characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. Updated: 12/14/2021 If I asked you to think of your hero, who would it be? The president? A sports legend? Batman? Some are very strong, some are very smart, some are very rich that they can afford to create gadgets to make them do unnatural things, like Batman and Iron Man. Then Odysseus threatened her.