The Odyssey – What Is a Hero

Ashley Literature and Composition 1 8 March 2010 The Odyssey by bell ringer What is a grinder? One who holds a proud countenance or obtains a strong build? Different cultures and ethnicities may have their sustain, eccentric definition of a hero. Although the Greeks believed that such a principled individual is soulfulness that people look up to, and a title such as this cannot be bestowed upon the ordinary. In Homers The Odyssey, it is Odysseus who possesses the true characteristics of a hero wisdom, fealty and showing moral improve manpowert.Homer describes Odysseus as an intelligent individual this narration is proven fact when in the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus, Odysseuss basic thought was to kill the giant. Instead of acting upon his first thoughts Odysseus takes the eon to hire his intelligence and realize that Polyphemus is the only way out of the cave. Odysseus offers wine to Polyphemus who so asks his providers name, Odysseus wittily replies with Nohbody mothe r, father, and fri polish offs, every unriv tout ensembleed calls me Nohbody (Homer Lines 360-361). Even as he spoke, he reeled and tumbled backward, his great percentage point lolling to one side and sleep took him like any creature (Lines 360-366). Odysseus and his hands blind Polyphemus season sleeping which results in the giant yelling to his brothers that, Nohbody, Nohbodys tricked me. Nohbodys ruined me and no one came to his aide (Line 443). In this example, Odysseus shows his intelligence, a trace one can infer that the Greeks esteem, by lying to Polyphemus to sustain the lives of his men.Also, after 2 eturning home to Ithaca to find many suitors begging for his married womans hand in marriage, Odysseus disguises himself as a beggar to fend off attention. The seemingly beggar at first glance enters the home of Odysseus to run across the emotional destruction of his wife genus Penelope. Odysseus is disguised until the last possible implication when he eventually rev eals himself after completing the task to win Penelopes hand in marriage. Odysseus is a marvel character whose characteristics stop readers to infer that the Greeks held the trait f intelligence in respect for a hero. During 720 BC, when The Odyssey was first published, the book explained that Odysseus preferred not to go to war, especially a war fought for an unfaithful woman. The Greeks showed no signs of disloyalty as a respectable trait for any man or woman, therefore when Odysseus is described as a faithful man, he is immediately categorized as a hero. To an finish Odysseuss bravery can be substantiated by Athenas constant support, and also proving his loyalty to the Greek Gods during his twenty years out-of-door from home.Locked away on the goddess Calypsos island, Odysseus, despite the attraction he feels toward the nymph goddess, stayed as faithful as possible to his Penelope proving his apply love for her. Calypso had offered him immortality and a life bound her, but wi th his one goal in mind, (to return home) Odysseus declines the offer proving his loyal character. Along with the promised loyalty to his wife, Odysseus was equally faithful to his men. When in the face of danger, his men looked to Odysseus for help and way knowing that he will come to their aide.An example of this mutual affinity is when Odysseus and his followers landed on the island of Aeaea, where they rested to replenish their strength. His men were shared out in half and Odysseus and his half of followers stayed behind when the rest of his men journeyed through the island to investigate. After finding the palace of the goddess Circe the men were 3 welcomed into the palace by the goddess herself. One man, Eurylochus, sensed danger and stayed hidden outside while the others ate and drank the pleasures provided by Circe.The win was drugged, causing the men to forget all memories of their home. After drugging the men, Circe used her twisted magic and transformed the men into s wine. Eurylochus quickly returned to Odysseus and explained the evil doings of Circe. Odysseus traveled to the house of the goddess alone, where she invited him in and gave him the akin drugged wine. With the help of the Messenger God Hermes, Odysseus managed to escape the magic of Circe and exist her with his sword into changing his men back.Taking responsibility for his mens lives and sacrificing his own instead of running away from the danger is proof of his loyal character. Odysseuss principle attribute is loyalty which the Greeks believe, is in belonging to a desperate figure. Everyone deserves a second chance learning from your mistakes provides evidence of your improving character. throughout The Odyssey one may make comments about the numerous faults they find in Odysseuss character such as his love of glory, and his abiding arrogance.However, nearing the end of the tale Odysseus does not immediately react violently upon the dreadful visual sense of the many suitors destr oying the heart of his Penelope. Instead of acting quickly, Odysseus patiently waits until the right time to reveal his identity and surprise the suitors with their own death. Learning and improving your record are the qualities one can infer from the epic that were greatly admired by the Greeks as a heroic trait. During the period where heroes were described as intelligent, loyal, and dedicated, Odysseus is described as a model warrior in Homers Odyssey and a true heroic being.With his intelligence Odysseus saves the lives of his devoted followers when a desperate situation calls for hero. His loyalty provides reassurance to his wife 4 Penelope and his men that he will soon return home. Odysseus shows his improving character by learning from his past mistakes to improve the future. These traits are just a hardly a(prenominal) traits that the Greeks, during Homers time period, held in the highest regard for a hero. 5 Works Cited Homer. The Odyssey. New York Ballantine Books, 1973