Peter Simon. What are some reasons why Odysseus is or is not a hero? In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership. WebOdysseus inherits many character traits that make a good hero, but the ones that truly outshine the rest are how Odysseus is very rational and has a very sharp intellect. He faces countless challenges, meets new people, and has to make sacrifices for the overall benefit of his crew (Bowler and Homer 645-705)., Odysseuss tale has been told several times, and most depict him as an epic hero. THE STUDY CLUB - JSTOR In the novel, The Odyssey, Odysseus goes to war against the Trojans in hope to win. Heroism is a concept that changes over time as society changes, and the values that each society upholds determines who they view as a hero. 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. The epic hero is often of mixed, there are three archetypes that provide insights to Ancient Greek civilizations and their morals. So is Odysseus really a hero? Odysseus Hero or Villian - Cecilya Guilbault Odysseus, a Good After 7 years on this island he finally decides to go home to has son which he has never seen and his dog who is nearly dead due to old age (not to mention he barely does anything with his dog and the first thing he says to his son is basically to ask him to risk his life for Odysseus's house). 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. 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. In consequence he possibly endangers the rest of his crew from safely reaching home by endangering himself. However, he is also a villain; he intrudes and assaults helpless creatures and also he returns home expecting his wife Penelope not to have cheated on him while he was gone. The gods punished him by stranding him at sea for more than ten years without being able to go home. WebOdysseus may be considered a hero because he is high born, a brave fighter, an intelligent trickster, and one who earns favor from the gods. Despite all of the suitors, Penelope stays loyal to Odysseus. Odysseus is a hero because he is a courageous leader, a quick thinker and a modest man. In Homers He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. The most heroic attribute of Odysseus was that he was smart. 2765. Odysseus vs Batman - Ancient and Modern Concepts of Heroism - by Mansi Dhokia, Achilles fighting against Memnon Leiden Rijksmuseum voor Oudheden, Odysseus is another prominent example of a Homeric hero. 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. He cares more about honor than the safety of his crew. Odysseus had come up with a plan for his men during the war. This story is about his travels home and how he got caught up in other business. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. Odysseus left Calypsos Island and began his journey back home. Most of these mistakes could have been fixed by Odysseus making better decisions throughout his journey. WebOdysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. He was a role model for his son Telemachus who wanted to be like him. 13181950) Selwood, Fleet, GU51 4QT. One trait that Odysseus has is that he is very clever. Some men were killed by the Cyclops, a huge monster with one eye. There is no denying that Odysseus has done more than most men, but has he done it with decency, integrity, or honor? Evidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as, Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus shows multiple times where he made bad choices due to his hubris.He has shown many careless acts were he only thinks of himself. Academus CIC is a company registered England and Wales (Company No. Many times in the epic he manipulates others, commits foolish acts and is full of hubris. 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. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. He is a hero because he saves his beloved wife from the suitors that yearn for her (the wife, Penelopes) hand as well as Odysseus thrown; he does this through a battle that ends, these three archetypes the hero, villain/monster, and the damsel in distress. Odysseus However, he has many traits that explain his clouded judgement. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2009., I will be writing a essay of the book The Odyssey written by the person Homer. He was a villain and there is no doubt about it. Odysseus is sailing away from Cyclops Island and he is teasing Polyphemus about escaping. In the age of postmodernism, there are instances where a person can be both a hero and a villain. Largely, the problems with understanding the moral position of Odysseus stem from his immense experience and cleverness, which make him at once mortal and fantastic. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus earns the title of a true hero by conveying many qualities such as: determination, courage and leadership. He knew he was a villain and somehow still got away with, In the Odyssey, Odysseus is a hero because he is a selfless leader. Odysseus then has many hardships upon which he overcomes through his intelligence and wit. Odysseus was faithful and loyal. Many would argue that Odysseus is more of a villain nowadays, for every instance of his wiliness or feats of strength there are First example is that he mounted Circes, a woman that helped Odysseus, bed. Hes also a very famous archetype for The Hero. An epic hero is on a quest of self discovery, war or some sort of goal. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. Homer remains one of the most well-read texts even today. He is on a quest for something of great value to him or his people. 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. In many cases he only saves himself, he is selfish, and he isnt humble. 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 has been cheating on his wife by sleeping with another woman. Heroes cannot be cross cultural, and Odysseus heroics do not transcend time and apply to the modern world. Well in the story of The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a lot of honorable characteristics, but he also has a few immoral characteristics. 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. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. The goddess of war, Athena, told Odysseus what he should do to save them and helped him get home. This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. He was very competitive and tried to be better than anyone else and insured his name lived on forever. However, women who both loved and knew Odysseus than anyone, thought of him differently and knew him in depth. Six of his crew members do perish but through his hard work and dedication he survives. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. Each archetype provides an example of what was moral,heroic,and frightening. Some men were killed by the Cyclops, a huge monster with one eye. Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. 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). If a hero is reinforced as a hero, The innate nature of humanistic narcissism strengthens. People describe them as brave, daring, and trustworthy. Despite multiple pleas to return to fighting, he continually refuses until his companion Patroclus is killed by Hector. (For tales of his wanderings see Polyphemus, Aeolus, the Laestrygones, Circe, the Underworld, the Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis, Lampetia & Phaethusa, Calypso, Leucothea .) Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? He may have super hero qualities such He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. 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. The superheroes we idealise today are heroes because of their selflessness and commitment to helping others rather than personal motivations. They expect Odysseus to make decisions for the well being of the crew. The qualities in which define Odysseus as a hero are courage, intelligence, and leadership. Although Odysseus does cheat on Penelope with Kalypso, he still remains loyal, and his love for her hardly wanes. Odysseus WebThe Hero The constant strife for self-satisfaction Is often taxing. In The Odyssey, the hero is Odysseus, king of Ithaca. Now you might say that in this case Odysseus is not a hero because he was not thinking ahead in the first place and was too curious and got him and his men caught by the Cyclops. Dont married people promise to be faithful, no matter what? Diverging from previous studies, Odysseus is not a hero because he constantly puts his men in danger and makes decisions without thinking. Although he is brave and sometimes smart, so is a villain. Don't waste your time on revenge. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. This reveals Odysseus is a villain because he reacts as if he was innocent and some way being betrayed by his own wife. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. He first shows his Valiant behavior during the war in Troy, he cares about his crew and survives the war. For example, when his men are tempted by the Lotus eaters or captured by Circe, Odysseus rushes to save them without hesitation. The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are usually uglier, more evil, and more cunning than anyone we know in ordinary life. Odysseus again chooses to ignore the intelligent advice given by the gods, and finds out that hard way that Eurylochus was correct. He returns to the fight purely for the selfish reason of avenging Patroclus death, rather than for the noble cause of Greek victory. If you wish to support us, please check out our range of merchandise, available now on Redbubble. Now, is Odysseus a villain? A good example of a modern hero would be the First Lady, Michelle Obama. He put himself before his men because he wanted a gift from the cave owner. Well known heroes do not kill people with no sympathy or mercy. The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. Odysseus is no different from the common heroes we hear today. 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. 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 doesnt exactly show this trait in The Odyssey. Anyone who puts themselves before others not for recognition or an award, but because it is the right thing to do, is a true hero. She came up with a ruse so she could stall having to remarry: Ruses served my turnwith honor. One example of this would be when he tells Polyphemus that his name is Nobody. Well drive the kids and lambs aboard. For example, when Odysseus and his men approach the giant he offers him liquor to wash down your scraps of men (Homer 991). Odysseus is described as a god-like man. Everyone has their favorite super hero, whether it be Superman, Batman, or even Ironman. The Odyssey: Odysseus Quotes | SparkNotes 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. wait until the sender of the message realises that the Athenian tragedians also engaged in the vilification of Odysseus and he is far from the hero, neither the protagonist or the morally correct one, in several of the most moving pieces of the golden age of Athenian literature Odysseus is the villain in SO many stories. During this time, did he bother to think of Penelope and how hurt she would feel? Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. Odysseus is difficult to identify as a hero because of his many vices. He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. So those are just a few instances in the story where he shows compassion for his comrades and truly cares about them. See if a hero transforms 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. He told her not to tell anyone who he really is. 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. Odysseus is the spitting image of what an ancient Greek hero would be like but in todays society or just in general, Odysseus is not heroic. He is not a selfish hero: instead, his drive is to his people and to found a new city that will eventually become Rome. Odysseus is able to see who is loyal and who is not and take his revenge with the suitors never knowing who. When Odysseus receives advice, even if it is helpful he tends to ignore it. Being a hero is loyal and responsibility. Odysseus is no hero, if anything, he is more of a villain. Odysseus is another prominent example of a Homeric hero. He rushed to save his men for honor. Nobody wants a hero to lose so Homer gives him admirable traits so that readers find themselves rooting for him. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. Odysseus Academus Education is an online learning platform providing free Classics Education to students through summer schools, articles and digital think tanks. These traits and behaviors are not acceptable for anyone, especially a person considered to be and hailed as a hero. The Odyssey Project - Is Odysseus a Hero He also neglects to let them know of the journey that lies ahead. However, Odysseus displays certain characteristics that seem to only hold weight in an ancient definition of a hero. Odysseus was also a prominent character in another Homeric epic, the Iliad. Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. Odysseus, when it comes to his crew and family, is confident, compassionate, wise, and always knows a way to get out of any problem. Athena, however, aided him when he arrived to his homeland. Odysseus is a hero because all he wants to do is go home and protect his family. A hero is someone who is compassionate, selfless, and wise. 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 doesnt exactly show this trait in The Odyssey. 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. I wished to see the cave man, what he had to offerno pretty sight, it turned out for my friends. Six of Odysseus men are eaten because of his ridiculous folly. Aeneas is closer to a modern hero, but he is still notably Roman in his motivations, which are removed from our own society. Achilles, Odysseus, and Aeneas are undoubtedly heroes but they would all certainly feel out of place in a superhero movie of today! One strong archetype in the Odyssey is the hero archetype. If Odysseus took the cheese and left, his men would not have had to dealt with Polyphemus. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. On a website posted by teachers at Harker Heights High, an epic hero is someone who embodies the values of a particular society. 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. 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). For generations people have been correct to honor the great Odysseus, for his actions along his adventures. He showed no mercy towards them and killed all the suitors. However especially in the later books of the Aeneid which focus on war he is still seen accruing kleos by going on a killing spree, and partakes in considerable bloodshed and vengeance; notably, at the end of the Aeneid, he kills Turnus unnecessarily to seek revenge for the death of Pallas. Diverging from previous studies, Montiglio outlines the philosophers' Odysseus across the spectrum, from the Socratics to the Middle Platonists. 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. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. 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. This reveals Odysseus is a villain because he reacts as if he was innocent and some way being betrayed by his own wife. A hero is someone who, in spite of weakness, doubt or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway and this shows the quality of a hero that the well-known hero, Odysseus, does not have. In a more popular example even modern man was made too look grand yet realistic in the sculpture of David done by Michelangelo. Essay On Odysseus Being A Hero - Internet Public Library The Odyssey: Antagonist | SparkNotes 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. For generations, heroes have always fascinated people and people have strived to achieve certain qualities of their heroes. 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. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. Odysseus makes some substantial mistakes, thus leading to the failure to his men. He is unfaithful to Penelope many times throughout the book. Like most epic heroes, Odysseus has been mostly harmed by the gods. The only reason Odysseus ties himself up to the mast, when instead he could have simply plugged his ears with wax like the rest of his crew, is that he chooses the jeopardous choice, wanting to "go down in the books" by being the first man to ever listen to the Sirens song and live. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered the hero of the story. He is cunning, sly, suave, strong, confident and self-possessed. The protagonist is the primary actor. A hero is a figure undertaking a quest (Odysseus). 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. Therefore, Odysseus is not a hero. As Odysseus is about to kill the Cyclops, he remembers that he is trapped in a cave with a large boulder blocking the entrance that he and his men will not be able to move. 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. The first archetype this essay will be explaining, Ancient Greek civilizations and their morals. Athena found him to be so winning, so worldly wise, so self possessed! . This shows that he is selfish. 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. King of Megcenae on Twitter Odysseus portrays his selfishness right as the book begins and this shows how truly incompetent of an individual he is. Another way Odysseus is also a hero is he always finds a way to survive whether he is in conflict or out on the sea. However, think about his so called heroic actions and the way he made everything work out for his own benefits. WebOdysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology, king of the island of Ithaca and the main protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey.. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. War itself may also be considered an antagonist in the poem war is what separated Odysseus from his home, and he spends much of the poem battling the traumas he and his men suffered in the Trojan War. For instance, Odysseus says that Circes luxuries appealed to his and his mens battle-hardened spirits. Odysseus was a authentic persuasive speaker and genuinely intelligent. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? His odyssey might be described as ones own life struggles. He accomplishes many great events like that of defeating the Trojans, slaying the suitors and travelling to and back from Hades. On the other hand, he does not seem much like a hero because he was unloyal by having affairs on Penelope. Homer said, But Odysseus shot his right hand out, clutching the nurses throat. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as Calypsos captive for a time. Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. 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. The only life Odysseus saved was his own. 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. Also this shows that he cheated on his wife Penelope, he also never told her about it. Odysseus has some good traits, some bad flaws, and has been in some ugly situations, but overall he is a true hero. The 3 archetypes, Whenever I think of a hero, visions of characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman often come to mind, as these strong figures have save their respective communities from danger using their remarkable skills. First off, Odysseus had to leave his family to go to Troy. 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. The Odyssey is the perfect story for examples of archetypes seeing as it has so many of them. Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. WebOdysseus is a villain because he is stubborn in Polyphemuss cave, disrespectful to the gods, and is unfaithful to his wife. I armed myself long ago against the frauds of men. Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus. Even though they disobey him constantly, Odysseus is still loyal to them. This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. A modern hero is recognized by the goodness in their heart. 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? However, once again, Odysseus motivations are ultimately selfish: the Odyssey revolves around his homecoming and the lengths to which he will go to return home. In addition to saving lives a hero should be humble, Odysseus does not fit that description, his hubris is as big as the moon. Hero or Villain The hero's journey is about self-discovery and self-development. Of course not, but does not being a villain automatically make him a hero? 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). The Greeks valued strength in battle, brutality, and vengeance as ideals that a hero should uphold. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. With Michelles humanitarian work and benevolent attitude, she helps those in need while trying to better society. He does not have any supernatural abilities unlike Achilles who is the son of a goddess and so has superhuman strength and speed. Odysseus is considered an epic herofor his role as King of Ithaca, his participation in the war, and his journey home. He was also clever and dedicated to all his plans and ideas to conquer creatures and return home. The simple acts of heroism are often overlooked-thats very clear to me not only in war but in peace (source 2). A hero accepts who he is as an individual, but strives to change himself for the better. When trapped on Calypsos island he shows no attempt to escape and instead finds pleasure in being their. Odysseus was a war hero, fighting against the Trojans as depicted in The Iliad. He led the raid once inside the walls of Troy and is also credited with the idea of the Trojan Horse. On his way home from war, Odysseus is taken on a long journey encountering mythical creatures and gods. 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.
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