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 may be leaderful, but he can be too curious. Odysseus is described as a god-like man. In one of Homers classic epics, The Odyssey, Odysseus is admired by many people as a man who has intelligence, nobility, and confidence. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Odysseus thinks he is being heroic and manly, but he is actually placing his life and that of the crews in danger all because he wants to hear the song of the sirens. And he was also cocky and arrogant with his overconfidence which caused tension between him, the Cyclops, and. (19.542-43). He is cunning, sly, suave, strong, confident and self-possessed. These traits and behaviors are not acceptable for anyone, especially a person considered to be and hailed as a hero. WebEvidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. Odysseus is a hero because all he wants to do is go home and protect his family. After Odysseus and his men left Troy they sailed near Ismarus, which is, When we think of someone who is a hero, we think of someone who is idolized for their bravery or amazing achievements; is Odysseus one of these heroes? Even when Odysseus was thought to be dead, she still puts up with the suitors behavior and refuses to remarry. 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 a hero because he returns home with a changed perspective which reflects his heroic abilities, such as his bravery and dedication to return home. 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, women who both loved and knew Odysseus than anyone, thought of him differently and knew him in depth. thinks of himself as a hero. These events lead to him losing crew members and Homer said, But Odysseus shot his right hand out, clutching the nurses throat. In consequence he possibly endangers the rest of his crew from safely reaching home by endangering himself. This shows that he is selfish because he doesn't care about the nurse. The Anti-Hero Archetype The anti-hero is the hero archetype you need to know if you want to create a hit cable show. On the other hand, he does not seem much like a hero because he was unloyal by having affairs on Penelope. 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. Hes also a very famous archetype for The Hero. In the book it states, She at once called to her husband Antiphates, who immediately began killing my men. Odysseus then cuts the cable from his own ship to save himself. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. This quote shows that good people and heros should not seek revenge and should show mercy to their enemies however Odysseus obviously shows no interest in mercy After killing many people and not letting a single person out which many heroes would have especially if the people did not directly mistreat him and believed he was dead which would be a logical thought he finally revealed himself to his wife. When the men said Why not take these cheeses, Archetypes are characteristics or characters that can define a hero. 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. Finally, Odysseus is home and after a long journey in which he shows no heroic actions and yet proves to be nothing but a villain, he once again proves throughout his actions that he is a villain. A hero takes many forms, such as an allegorical hero, a tragic hero, or an epic hero. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. When Circe captured Odysseuss men he was advised not to save them by his best man, Eurylochus, however Against this advice, Odysseus rushes to save his men from the enchantress (Homer 1125). An epic hero struggles and is overwhelmed with difficulties. These heros helped anyone they saw in need, even if it put themselves in danger. 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. Odysseus had come up with a plan for his men during the war. He was also the king of Ithaca and the prime protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey. He is unfaithful to Penelope many times throughout the book. 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 The Odyssey, Odysseus along with his men try to go back home to Ithaca but due to Odysseus nature, only he actually returns alive. They tied me up, then, plumb amidships, back to the mast, lashed to the mast and took themselves again to rowing (Homer 1134). One of the many situations Odysseus survives is his encounter with Skylla. 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. 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. He may as well be on Americas most wanted list with all the trouble he was causing.
I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. In Homers 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. I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. There is no denying that Odysseus has done more than most men, but has he done it with decency, integrity, or honor? Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus faces an internal battle between loyalty and betrayal in the presence of numerous temptations. Also this shows that he cheated on his wife Penelope, he also never told her about it. Heroism is a concept that has evolved and will continue to evolve over time since it depends heavily on the values which each society covets. He makes Odysseus look brave and heroic. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. The first archetype this essay will be explaining, Ancient Greek civilizations and their morals. 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 . 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. Diomedes, Odysseus, Ajax, and even Hector are all examples of Homeric heroes: they win kleos (glory) in battle by defeating their enemies in killing sprees which display their aristeia (battle excellence) the ability to defeat the enemy is what epitomises a Homeric hero. Homers Odyssey is about an epic hero named Odysseus and his quest home. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. 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. He never gave up trying to get back home to Ithaca.Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire/ how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him/Odysseus, raider of lost cities, took your eye: Laertes son, whose homes on Ithaca. (1062)This shows that Odysseus is brave because he fights the. 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. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. That is why he began this trudge across lands in the first place; to be a hero. He also deeply cares about the welfare of his men on their return trip to Ithaka. Odysseus said, comrades riven in agony/ shrieking out my name // angler poised on a jutting rock // gasping out their lives. He even risks his own soul for them. The Odyssey, by Homer, has a large range of stories in it. 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). In a way, Odysseus is a hero with strength, wits, and cunning who dominates the largest beasts the planet has to offer. It states in the book, Athena touched him with her wand and covered him with wrinkles. Athena made the plan to defeat the suitors and helped disguise Odysseus. Odysseus said then, at last , I mounted circes gorgeous bed. (Homer 10.386). The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. Odysseus is not a hero because he constantly puts his men in danger and makes decisions without thinking. Odysseus might think he was performing a heroic action but in actuality he was performing an act of selfishness. 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. In this case, he is a hero in this story because, Cited: Homer. He is confident and cunning,, Having superb and honorable characteristics establishes one a hero. One strong archetype in the Odyssey is the hero archetype. Dexter Morgan. Odyessus is more wit then might and he actually applies this to his survival, however there is no doubt that these talents are given by the Goddess Athena who watches over his every move. Odysseus was also selfish when he sailed near the lands of Sirens.Steer wide; keep well to seaward; plug your oarsmens ears with beeswax kneaded soft(Homer 669-671). Odysseus is perhaps more closely paralleled to a modern-day hero like Batman or Iron Man. If Odysseus took the cheese and left, his men would not have had to dealt with Polyphemus. With great power comes great responsibility this quote is used by many heros and odysseus obviously shows no responsibilities, so his power is simply bad, or evil . Odysseus was considered a hero among the people in Ancient Greek times. sword from my hip I went along his flank to stab him where the midriff, There is yet one more difference between Odysseus and the other two heroes which may help to find the reason why his tale does not end, Lizeth Marin Honors Introduction to Literature Period 3 18 April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? When he landed on the island of Aiaia, he sleeps with Kirke. If you wish to support us, please check out. During his long and perilous journey home Odysseus shows many heroic qualities that help save his men from many dangerous situations. Odysseus could have left his men behind with Circe or the Lotus Eaters, but he. In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Odysseus comments that his crew tried to calm him down and get him to stop talking, but he. Odysseus says, Then he tore them apart and gobbled them up like a lion in the wilderness. All of Odysseuss men are killed by the end of the book. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. So Odysseus is not a hero for his family. He rushed to save his men for honor. The Iliad contains a multitude of these heroes, since the focus of the action is on the Trojan War and various characters stories within this narrative. First off, Odysseus had to leave his family to go to Troy. Odysseus is also a master tactician whose complex plans save his crew and help him regain his crown. 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. Now, is Odysseus a villain? This shows that Odysseus had mounted Circes bed and that he had a affair with Circe. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. Odysseus has some good traits, some bad flaws, and has been in some ugly situations, but overall he is a true hero. Due to the fact that hes very noble and brave (and in an epic poem), that makes him an epic hero. 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. Everyone thinks he is not a hero is he slept with circe there is a reason why that is not a strong reason that he is not a hero. Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey 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 is different from Achilles and Odysseus in that he is a distinctly Roman hero and therefore upholds specifically Roman values, which have already changed from the values that were important in Homers society. What a hero is a person that will give everything that they have to save another person from any harm. Heroes are supposed to be rational, faithful, and honest, whereas, Penelope spent twenty years waiting for Odysseus to return home. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? At first his wife did not recognize him which filled him with rage even though he should be happy that his loyal wife wants to make. Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle because of his actions of sacrificing his men, killing the suitors and being ruthless throughout the Odyssey. In my mind it is right in the middle he does some things that were ok, but he also did things he shouldn't have done. One example of this would be when he tells Polyphemus that his name is Nobody. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Of course he did, he just didnt care. This is what underpins a modern-day hero, and it drastically differs from the ancient perceptions of heroism. He is superhuman. One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. With the help of the gods he can survive things most men couldnt., I think Odysseus fits the title of a hero very well. Diverging from previous studies, Montiglio outlines the philosophers' Odysseus across the spectrum, from the Socratics to the Middle Platonists. 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. In Homers, The Odyssey, I believe that Odysseus is a true modern hero. The Odyssey. The Norton Anthology of World Literature: Shorter Second Edition. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. Odysseus, in Homer's Odyssey, is considered an ancient hero. He tried at great measures to help his men return home to Ithaca alive. A prime example of this is when Odysseus receives advice from Kirke about Scylla. Evidence proves that, Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. We say put out again on good salt water. Yet, I refused. Odysseus is able to see who is loyal and who is not and take his revenge with the suitors never knowing who, Odysseus is also disloyal to his wife who stayed faithful to him despite the circumstances. In Homer's Odyssey Odysseus is a character who, sometimes behaves like a proper hero and also as a very self-centered character at other points. He stayed faithful to his homeland, Calypso promised Odysseus immortality if he were to stay on her island with her forever, yet he refused the offer and still longed for home. When Odysseus slaughters the Trojans, he starts to act like he was greater than any god. Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. Finally, Odysseus is home and after a long journey in which he shows no heroic actions and yet proves to be nothing but a villain, he once again proves throughout his actions that he is a villain. Odysseus, during his quest, is forced to venture through a merciless Cyclops, angered Gods, deeply obstinate Goddesses, the underworld, and determined suitors that are after his wife Penelope. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. The episode of the Sirens,(Book 12), is one example. He thinks he is the most intelligent human being, even more so than the gods. Another example of Odysseuss ignorance toward people is when Eurylochus tells him not to go onto Kirkes island because he knows the crew would be turned into swine. In addition to saving lives a hero should be humble, Odysseus does not fit that description, his hubris is as big as the moon. These statues usually period pieces from Italian or French masters such as Donatello or Praxiteles were always sculpting realistic visions of the Gods such as Hermes. Would Achilles be judged as a hero in modern times? These events lead to him losing crew members and putting them into dangerous situations, elongating his voyage home, and putting his integrity at risk. Not every narrative has one. Odysseus defies the suitors and wins his wife and kingdom back. They can be villains, scapegoats, damsels in distress, and the hero themself . This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. The archetype of heroism allows, most people, Odysseus is believed as a hero. If a hero is viewed as a villain, A similar path is followed, Accompanied by a deception. 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. 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). He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. Odysseus is not a hero because he is selfish. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. He put himself before his men because he wanted a gift from the cave owner. Odysseus knows how loyal his crew is to him so, if one of them was to untie him they could have all ended up dead. Odysseus is difficult to identify as a hero because of his many vices. Odysseus was not the hero, though. Many times in the epic he manipulates others, commits foolish acts and is full of hubris. Peter Simon. During this time, did he bother to think of Penelope and how hurt she would feel? 13181950) Selwood, Fleet, GU51 4QT. Odysseus is in between. Academus CIC is a company registered England and Wales (Company No. He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. A hero is someone who is compassionate, selfless, and wise. Explain the situations in which Odysseus shows these qualities. This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. The simple acts of heroism are often overlooked-thats very clear to me not only in war but in peace (source 2). Odysseus is not the epitome of an epic hero., Hero? Finally, Odysseus is home and after a long journey in which he shows no heroic actions and yet proves to be nothing but a villain, he once again proves throughout his actions that he is a villain. The main character is a man named Odysseus who displays hero characteristics throughout the book. WebOdysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology, king of the island of Ithaca and the main protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey.. A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, achievements, and noble qualities. He fearlessly leads his remaining men home to Ithaca, doing everything in his power to get them back alive and well. When escaping the cave he chose the wooliest ram for himself which shows selfishness. 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. Odysseus is no different from the common heroes we hear today. An epic hero embodies several heroic traits such as; having superior or super-human strength; being intellectual and courageous; and being a strong and responsible leader. They can do many small acts of heroism and never become acknowledged as a hero, yet when they do something horrendous they are labeled as a villain. 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 . Although Odysseus does cheat on Penelope with Kalypso, he still remains loyal, and his love for her hardly wanes. Is this not what a villain does? Because it contains so many and such striking adventures, some have called it an 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. When Odysseus is on the journey to Ithaka, he neglects to let his crew know how long they will be staying on each island. To homer and the other people of early Greece he probably was a hero. He was also courageous as well as confident., On the subject of heroism, Maya Angelou once wrote that I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people (Angelou). Odysseus, the Cyclops, and Penelope are specific examples of archetypes in this epic poem. Athena, however, aided him when he arrived to his homeland. This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. 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 was also a prominent character in another Homeric epic, the Iliad. Odysseus is very vengeful in this situation. (XIX, lines 163-190) Penelope is experiencing so much pressure from the suitors and her family, but she still refuses to succumb and does not cheat on. Those who hurt you will eventually get their own karma. Well in the story of The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a lot of honorable characteristics, but he also has a few immoral characteristics. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. However most myths are in this way, there doesn't seem to be many relatable things in these stories but the overral moral connects to the reader making the myth more realistic. An epic hero is braver, stronger, and cleverer than an ordinary person. Written about two thousand and seven hundred years earlier, the Odyssey is still influencing modern storytelling today. Modern day depictions of heroes are influenced by popular media such as comic books, movies, and TV. The book The Odyssey written by Homer reveals a story of a true hero. 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. Many times in the epic he manipulates others, commits foolish acts and is full of hubris. WebOdysseus, Hero or Villain? (For tales of his wanderings see Polyphemus, Aeolus, the Laestrygones, Circe, the Underworld, the Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis, Lampetia & Phaethusa, Calypso, Leucothea .) This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. He also neglects to let them know of the journey that lies ahead. You can just put effort into it and try as hard as you can. Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus. Another example that proves he is not a hero when he was acting selfish by sacrificing his crew men. He put his own men in danger just because he wanted to become famous. 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. 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. 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. 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? During Odysseuss journey it becomes evident that Odysseus is a hero like the legends say, he meets all the criterias of being a hero such as being brave, smart, fighting against evil, and protecting others from danger. Odysseus has stolen from people, raped women, and murdered people when it all could have been avoided. Odysseus presents himself as a strong leader throughout this epic poem, but the characteristic that appeared the most is his encouraging, Odysseus, son of Laertes, king of Ithaca is not what most would call a hero, he cheats, he steals, and he lies, none of which happen to be ideal qualities.
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