Odysseus is not a hero because he is selfish. First example is that he mounted Circe’s, a woman that helped Odysseus, bed. Odysseus said “ then, at last , I mounted circe’s gorgeous bed….” (Homer 10.386). This shows that Odysseus had mounted Circe’s bed and that he had a affair with Circe. He wasn't thinking about his wife and son. This shows that he is selfish. Also this shows that he cheated on his wife Penelope, he also never told her about it. Another example that proves he is not a hero when he was acting selfish by sacrificing his crew men. Odysseus said, “ comrades riven in agony/ shrieking out my name /.../ angler poised on a jutting rock /.../ gasping out their lives. (12.270-75). 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. This also shows that he is not a hero because he was mean because when the crew members were yelling his name he never saved them all he did was watch them die. 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. Then Odysseus threatened her. He told her not to tell anyone who he really is. Homer said, “ But Odysseus shot his right hand out, clutching the nurses throat”. (19.542-43). This shows that he is selfish because he doesn't care about the nurse. He would have killed her thinking she would spoil his plan. Also this shows that he is mean because he yelled at the nurse to not tell anyone who he really is. These details show that Odysseus is not a hero because of his selfishness because in every one of these evidences he only thinks about himself. Odysseus is not a hero because due to him and his anger a lot of people have lost their lifes. First example is that he stabbed a arrow on Antinous, the lead suitor. Homer says, “with that he trained a stabbing arrow on Antinous.” (22.8)This shows that Odysseus had killed Antinous by stabbing him. This also shows that he is selfish, because when he killed Antinous, he never thought about Antinous’s family. He was only thinking about revenge on the suitors. Secondly Odysseus also killed Eurymachus,son of Polybus also a suitor, by stabbing him
Odysseus was a great leader and hero throughout the story in many examples as I have listed below. My first example is when Odysseus was able to make a spear when he was in Polyphemus's cave. He then took the spear and drove it through the eye of the beast, blinding him. The cyclops then moved the boulder and the men escaped by hiding under sheep.This example shows that O. is a hero because he is daring. If the cyclops was to find any of them or he had missed and woken him then this surely would have meant death for them. The second reason is in book twelve when O. must pass the sirens. To do so he slabs beeswax on the ears of his shipmates. This will make it so them can not be lured into the captivity of the sirens. O. then lashes himself
Merriam-Webster defines a hero as, “A person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” For Odysseus to be a hero this definition is supposed to fit and describe him and his character, but why does this definition not describe or fit him and his character? This is because Odysseus is not a hero. Odysseus has done unethical things on his journey that makes him a person that should go unadmired. For example, when Odysseus ignored the death of his man in order to make more progress on his journey since he claims a task was pressing and waited for the Cyclops in order to be offered more gifts (his men die as a result), these examples prove he is a person who does unethical things. Odysseus is not a hero because he is disloyal, selfish, and greedy.
Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. Most of these mistakes could have been fixed by Odysseus making better decisions throughout his journey.
Odysseus portrays himself as anything but a hero throughout Homer’s The Odyssey. Odysseus goes through his life believing he is the best. He has no regard for anyone’s feelings but his own, and he believes nothing and no one can harm him, not even the gods. Odysseus feels he is always the leader and no one can tell him otherwise. Odysseus should not be considered a hero because he portrays himself as a selfish man that failed his crew, and is controlled by his hubris.
Odysseus is a hero because he acts courageously while facing the many challenges he encounters. Odysseus’s shows great bravery when he engages in physical challenges. Odysseus daringly fights against the suitors, while significantly outnumbered: “For I must
The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. 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. This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. 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.
In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. Many times in the epic he manipulates others, commits foolish acts and is full of hubris. He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness.
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 doesn’t exactly show this trait in The Odyssey. 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. In Homer’s 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.
Odysseus is not a hero because he constantly puts his men in danger and makes decisions without thinking. Odysseus is sailing away from Cyclops Island and he is teasing Polyphemus about escaping. 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. Odysseus tells the Phaeacians in his story, “So they spoke, but they could not persuade my great-hearted spirit; and I answered him again with angry heart: “‘Cyclops, if any one of mortal men shall ask thee about the shameful blinding of thine eye, say that Odysseus, the sacker of cities, blinded it, even the son of Laertes, whose home is in Ithaca’””(Homer.9.500-506). Odysseus comments that his crew tried to calm him down and get him to stop talking, but he
For generations, heroes have always fascinated people and people have strived to achieve certain qualities of their heroes. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered the hero of the story. While Odysseus does demonstrate some qualities that are not heroic, he is still defined as a hero because of his better, more heroic qualities in which he is far superior in than any other man. The qualities in which define Odysseus as a hero are courage, intelligence, and leadership.
Again, Odysseus' darker and 'immoral' acts could be viewed could viewed as metaphors for and/or accurate reflections of the imperfection of the human race. Characteristics that show that heroes too are flawed. A hero who has some shortcomings is a more believable character, they may be godly in the sense that they do what no one else can, but that they are still only human. Drawing on this, Odysseus can be considered a hero for modern times. He possesses admiral skills, such as commitment and knowledge, which are still considered heroic today. He uses these traits to protect himself and his crew as they make the long journey home. Although Odysseus is renowned for his expertise in fighting, he is
“I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world for every kind of craft- my fame has reached the skies.” The Odyssey page 212. This quote sounds to describe a great hero, one who everyone loves, everyone knows. However, this man can not be described as a hero because it alone shows the traits that no hero has been known to have. The quality of arrogance takes Odysseus over and puts him and his men in danger. Dishonesty does not put him in danger, but hurts his family with little care from Odysseus. He also can not control his impulses, and this creates difficult situations. Odysseus can not be considered a hero because of his arrogance, deceitfulness, and impulses.
Odysseus is an epic hero during the time of the Ancient Greek and every obstacle that was thrown at him he was able to be victorious. Heros in today’s world are similar to how they were before, but how they would handle or deal with the situation was different. Odysseus is a man of his words going up and beyond to solve the problem and if a fight was necessary thats what would happen. Now a days heros do not try going away to deal with the problem, having excuse after another to avoid the enemy. Heros have different definitions throughout the years as they pass, but Odysseus fits the criterion of a hero. Hero's do whatever is necessary to get the job done making sure no one gets left behind.
Despite having flaws and weaknesses, which are characteristics everyone has, Odysseus is a hero. In the Odyssey the king of Ithaca, Odysseus is trying to return home after being away at war in Troy. On this journey home Odysseus is set up against many challenges in order to return home to Ithaca. These challenges are extremely difficult and were believed to be impossible, well at least until Odysseus came along. Once Odysseus returns home he finds out that the suitors have been taking over since his absence, and Odysseus fights to receive his royalty and to avenge for not just himself but for everyone in Ithaca. Odysseus is a hero because he was valiant, he overcame challenges, and he saved his home, Ithaca from the suitors.
Others feel as if through Odysseus is a hero because he stayed loyal and faithful to his family. These accusations are far from true despite his loyalty to his crew his actions also caused them all to die, not to mention the fact that he cheated on his wife while he was on Circe's island as well as Calypso’s island. The fact that he can cheat on his wife without guilt shows that he is extremely selfish he thinks about only himself, similar to when he decided to take an unnecessary trip to discover the unknown. Despite the fact that he is able to come up with brilliant plans at an instant he does not think about the bigger picture. Since he continuously makes these instinctive decisions, Odysseus is the direct opposite of what is a hero is thought to be. Instead of saving lives, he jeopardizes them which is the main reason why he should not be classified as a