Is this not what a villain does? 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. 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? His most distinguishing trait, however, is his sharp intellect. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. The first archetype this essay will be explaining, Ancient Greek civilizations and their morals. Those who hurt you will eventually get their own karma. The Greeks valued strength in battle, brutality, and vengeance as ideals that a hero should uphold. Of course not, but does not being a villain automatically make him a hero? He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. The simple acts of heroism are often overlooked-thats very clear to me not only in war but in peace (source 2). He may as well be on Americas most wanted list with all the trouble he was causing. 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. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. Odysseus is difficult to identify as a hero because of his many vices. He didnt consider failing at all because he never stopped to think about his decision, he rashly makes a choice and is forced to suffer the. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. 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. In one of Homers classic epics, The Odyssey, Odysseus is admired by many people as a man who has intelligence, nobility, and confidence. And he was also cocky and arrogant with his overconfidence which caused tension between him, the Cyclops, and. 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. 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). 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. In myths and stories especially, heroes tend to have supernatural capabilities in one form or another, such as superhuman strength, intellect, or even magical abilities. Achilles is arrogant and selfish: he refuses to fight at the beginning of the Iliad as his honour has been slighted by Agamemnon stealing his war spoils, a captive girl named Briseis. On this journey, he encounters many monsters, many ladies, and we see his good side and his bad side. These events lead to him losing crew members and putting them into dangerous situations, elongating his voyage home, and putting his integrity at risk. Ed. The son of Laertes and Anticlea, The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. 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. He knows that the boulder that is blocking the entrance is heavy so he doesn 't kill Polyphemus. 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. They expect Odysseus to make decisions for the well being of the crew. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. Odysseus 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. A hero is a person who is recognized or idealized for his or her outstanding achievements and noble qualities. 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. This is Walter White. The Anti-Hero Archetype The anti-hero is the hero archetype you need to know if you want to create a hit cable show. He earns the respect of his men during the Trojan War by making good sound decisions and caring about the welfare of his men. 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. Is Odysseus a Hero 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 doesnt deserve the title of a hero because he made bad decisions that affected his crew poorly, Athena did almost all of the work in getting him home, and he cheated on his wife multiple times throughout his journey home. WebOdysseus ( The Odyssey) Gilgamesh ( Epic of Gilgamesh) Beowulf ( Beowulf) Character interviews are another great way to get to know your hero especially a dark and complex anti-hero. 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. If a hero is viewed as a villain, A similar path is followed, Accompanied by a deception. Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership. What heroic qualities does Odysseus show? 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. 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. Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. From him angering Poseidon by blinding his Cyclopes son Prometheus, to Zeus striking down his ship, Odysseus did not have the gods on his side during his journey home. This led me to wonder, what characteristics qualify or disqualify someone, In Homer's The Odyssey, he portrays Odysseus, the hero of the story, as clever and brave. 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. The goddess of war, Athena, told Odysseus what he should do to save them and helped him get home. 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. 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. Six of his crew members do perish but through his hard work and dedication he survives. While he and his men were on the land of the lotus eaters Odysseus could have left, After defeating the Cyclops and heading back out into the sea he stood on his ship mocking the Cyclops. In the epic poem, the Odyssey told by the one and only Homer, the brave, the godlike human, Odysseus is finding his way home after the big battle victory against the Trojans. The deaths of his men are the result of Odysseus weaknesses. During his long and perilous journey home Odysseus shows many heroic qualities that help save his men from many dangerous situations. Written about two thousand and seven hundred years earlier, the Odyssey is still influencing modern storytelling today. 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. Odysseus may be leaderful, but he can be too curious. A hero accepts who he is as an individual, but strives to change himself for the better. 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. He is selfish, disloyal, hypocritical and harsh; everything a hero is not. The main reason why I am written is so that you can know Odysseus is a hero because how he helps other people before he would help himself., Odysseus is not a hero because he let down a lot of people. WebOdysseus is Not a Hero for the Modern Age Essay. Is Odysseus A Hero Or A Villain Analysis | ipl.org During his journey back home to Ithaca, Odysseus commited adultery twice. In another place in the book, six of Odysseuss best men are killed by the six headed beast Scylla. WebIn Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered the hero of the story. 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. In many cases he only saves himself, he is selfish, and he isnt humble. He is consistently referred to with the epithet a man of many ways (compared to the swift-footed Achilles), demonstrating that Odysseus heroism is due to mental rather than physical strength. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. His motivations are not due to his own honour or to take revenge, but for the greater good of the world itself. Odysseus has these qualities and more. 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. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? In my eyes he is a hero struggling to do the best he can but often finds things don't always go as planned. Odysseus portrays himself as anything but a hero throughout Homers The Odyssey. 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. Odysseus has some good traits, some bad flaws, and has been in some ugly situations, but overall he is a true hero. For example, when his men are tempted by the Lotus eaters or captured by Circe, Odysseus rushes to save them without hesitation. Lets just say he stabbed Poseidons son, had his crew turned into pigs, faced a six-headed monster and whirlpool, and that is to say the least. He may have super hero qualities such Of course he did, he just didnt care. Odysseus is a hero because he is a courageous leader, a quick thinker and a modest man. 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. He proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). Odysseus Odysseus says, Then he tore them apart and gobbled them up like a lion in the wilderness The hero's journey is about self-discovery and self-development. Many times in the epic he manipulates others, commits foolish acts and is full of hubris. He knew he was a villain and somehow still got away with. Now, is Odysseus a villain? WebOdysseus 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. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. He wasn't thinking about his wife and son. He returns to the fight purely for the selfish reason of avenging Patroclus death, rather than for the noble cause of Greek victory. Odysseus is an epic hero because he is intelligent, he listens to the gods advice, and he is witty; able to think on his feet. Odysseus, the Cyclops, and Penelope are specific examples of archetypes in this epic poem. He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. 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 . The only life Odysseus saved was his own. The Odyssey is the perfect story for examples of archetypes seeing as it has so many of them. When Odysseus is on the journey to Ithaka, he neglects to let his crew know how long they will be staying on each island. Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus faces an internal battle between loyalty and betrayal in the presence of numerous temptations. 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. Odysseus is perhaps more closely paralleled to a modern-day hero like Batman or Iron Man. Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. First off, Odysseus had to leave his family to go to Troy. 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. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Also if you ask me, yes a hero can commit crimes. He thinks he is the most intelligent human being, even more so than the gods. In conclusion, Odysseus throughout his actions proves to be not only veil but a villain. In fact, he puts the duty he has towards his people before his own needs, which is demonstrated when he leaves Dido behind in Carthage as he knows that it is his destiny to found a new city in Italy. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Well in the story of The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a lot of honorable characteristics, but he also has a few immoral characteristics. Everyone has their favorite super hero, whether it be Superman, Batman, or even Ironman. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. Odysseus is a hero because he is smart. Everytime he enters a new island, he does not start telling everyone that he is Odysseus, king of Ithaca. Perhaps not. Odysseuss inability to think through his rash decisions and recognize the right choice over the honorable and selfish one makes him unfit to be a, In conclusion Odysseus is a true hero even though he was thoughtless, selfish and deceitful. WebODYSSEUS A hero of the Trojan War, whose fleet was blown off course in a storm on his return. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. He told her not to tell anyone who he really is. He rushed to save his men for honor. 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). Even though Odysseus is a troublemaker, he has multiple great characteristics of a leader. Odysseus said, comrades riven in agony/ shrieking out my name // angler poised on a jutting rock // gasping out their lives. There are ups and downs to every situation, and through reading The Odyssey, readers can connect parallels between Odysseus experiences and lessons learned in their own life. Odysseuss actions may seem selfless and/or heroic however they are actually being mistaken for acts of selfishness. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. 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. He is superhuman. Hero Odysseus is clever by doing this because he can predict that the liquor will make him fall asleep. Although people make mistakes does that mean that they cannot be a hero? He spends five long years on the Island of Calypso and another five with Circe. In conclusion, Odysseus throughout his actions proves to be not only veil but a villain. WebODYSSEUS AS A HERO Homer's Odyssey is one of the greatest of the world's hero tales. Being a hero is loyal and responsibility. Odysseus said then, at last , I mounted circes gorgeous bed. (Homer 10.386). This reveals Odysseus is a villain because he reacts as if he was innocent and some way being betrayed by his own wife. One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. When he landed on the island of Aiaia, he sleeps with Kirke. 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. An epic hero is braver, stronger, and cleverer than an ordinary person. Hero or Villain The book The Odyssey written by Homer reveals a story of a true hero. He is not necessarily up against anything (Hydra is not Hercules' opponent but a task he has to complete). This shows that he is selfish. Even when Odysseus was thought to be dead, she still puts up with the suitors behavior and refuses to remarry. The Odyssey: Antagonist | SparkNotes 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. 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. Aeneass epithet is pius, which does not have a precise translation but encompasses duty and patriotism to gods, country, and family. But although Odysseus makes the. There is no denying that Odysseus has done more than most men, but has he done it with decency, integrity, or honor? The protagonist is the primary actor. In addition to saving lives a hero should be humble, Odysseus does not fit that description, his hubris is as big as the moon. In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership. Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. He fearlessly leads his remaining men home to Ithaca, doing everything in his power to get them back alive and well. Odysseus puts everything at risk in order to get his men home safely. Once back to Ithaca there were many suitors insulting him, his wife, son, house, and the gods and begging for Penelopes hand in marriage. He is consistently seen to display piety and is perhaps more closely aligned with our ideals of a modern hero in his selfless motivations, comparable to a superhero like Hawkeye whose duty to family trumps all. Humans make mistakes, and seeing Odysseus failures humanizes him and makes him more realistic. Odysseus was also very arrogant to think that he could get past the Sirens. In fact, he shows several qualities one finds in classic Greek heroes, such as Achilles, Hercules, and Theseus. In consequence he possibly endangers the rest of his crew from safely reaching home by endangering himself. He was also loyal to his men. WebOdysseus, Hero or Villain? Odysseus cheats on his wife more than once; it was not a simple lapse in judgment. People describe them as brave, daring, and trustworthy. Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. Odysseus He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. He does not have any supernatural abilities unlike Achilles who is the son of a goddess and so has superhuman strength and speed. I armed myself long ago against the frauds of men. Instead of beginning with fighting the Cyclops, he takes his time and sets up a plan. One example of this would be when he tells Polyphemus that his name is Nobody. Odysseus He also leads his men into their own fates. With the help of the gods he can survive things most men couldnt., I think Odysseus fits the title of a hero very well. Odysseus left Calypsos Island and began his journey back home. One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. The possession of the character trait, arrogance, does not help him in escaping, but rather puts him closer to danger. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. Homer remains one of the most well-read texts even today. Odysseus as a Hero 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. Is Odysseus a hero? New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2009., I will be writing a essay of the book The Odyssey written by the person Homer. The quintessential hero of the Iliad is Achilles, aristos achaion (the best of the Greeks), who is the most esteemed warrior in Homeric epic. 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. After all that Odysseus has done to the crew, it is true to. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. All the little kids probably looked up to him but now kids don't even know his name. 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. 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. 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. There was one obstacle where they fell He is on a quest for something of great value to him or his people. The Odyssey depicts his ten-year nostos (homeward journey) after the Trojan War until he finally retakes his throne on Ithaca. Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. He also showed great Athleticism which was very important and highly regarded. He plays with the lives of his men with no regard for the well-being or their families. Some men were killed by the Cyclops, a huge monster with one eye. 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). In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, the main character Odysseus is a valiant king who embarks on a life-changing voyage. This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. 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. 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. 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, 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. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men You don't always have to save a person's life. 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. He also neglects to let them know of the journey that lies ahead. Crying is often seen as a weakness in a man, but this makes Odysseus more endearing as it reveals the labour of his love. 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. A hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. Odysseus had come up with a plan for his men during the war. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. WebEvidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. When the men said Why not take these cheeses, Archetypes are characteristics or characters that can define a hero. Odysseus fits the description of a hero because hes done a few things that are heroic. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as Calypsos captive for a time. He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. Would Achilles be judged as a hero in modern times? Odysseus, man of exceptional wit, bravery, and intelligence, epic hero The Odyssey written by Homer, is nothing short of extraordinary. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered the hero of the story. 2765. 1. Odysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology. 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. In a way, Odysseus is a hero with strength, wits, and cunning who dominates the largest beasts the planet has to offer. Although Circe told Odysseus to steer clear of the area, Odysseus wanted to be known as the man who survived a Sirens song. 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?
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