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Is Odysseus A Hero In Today's Society

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How heroic is Odysseus? According to today’s society, not really. Life in Ancient Greece was different then it is today. When most people think of a hero they think of Batman or Superman who always give everything for the people they protect. Odysseus is not a hero because he is very selfish, disloyal, and cocky.
Odysseus is not considered a hero in today’s society because of his selfishness. Most people believe that a hero is supposed to give everything to save everyone. One example of his selfishness is when he visits the cyclops Polyphemus. He enters his house and eats the cyclops’ food then Odysseus expects him to be welcoming. “My men came pressing round me pleading: ‘Why not take these cheeses, get them stowed, come back, throw open the pens, and make a run for it?...’”(Line 166 - 168 The Odyssey).While this may be custom in greek society back then, now, if a stranger entered your house and ate your food you would call the police and have them arrested for breaking and entering. Because of this, Odysseus is not considered a hero in today’s society. …show more content…

In the ancient Greek society, this was known as “hubris”. Again pulling from the cyclops story, when Odysseus finally manages to get his men out of the cave and back onto their ship he calls out to the giant and attracts him to his location.”’Cyclops, if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye: Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca’”(Line 457 - 460 The Odyssey). This causes Polyphemus to throw several giant boulders. Then, Odysseus proceeds to tell the cyclops his name where he comes from and where he’s going. This allows the cyclops to curse him. Odysseus is not considered a hero in today’s society since he is so

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