Kolby Smith kravchak Honors Humanities: Period 5
12 September 2014 Odysseus: A Hero’s Journey
Throughout the ages, scholars have been writing stories, telling tales, and painting pictures. Although each tale is different they all implement one universal form of writing known as the Hero’s Journey. The Hero’s Journey is a set of 6 steps in order to create an interesting and educational theme. Take Harry Potter and Lord of The Rings for example, each of them has a very different story line that makes them unique while still using the Hero’s Journey as a backbone. Many people have debated over whether or not The Odyssey implements the Hero’s Journey. Odysseus’s journey starts out when he is ordered to partake in the Trojan War. Odysseus has to leave everything behind in Ithaca to help the entire Greek Army sack the beach fortress, Troy. Once at Troy, he fights for 10 years eventually winning the war with his cunning plan to build a horse for the Trojans as a gift, then jumping out of the horse at night time to sack the city. This is where The Iliad stops and The Odyssey begins. Odysseus is so full of pride that he offends the gods, which have been helping him, and claims all the glory to himself. Out of anger the Gods decide to punish Odysseus and his army by keeping them away from Ithaca. They do this by sending him lots of walls that he has to break down. Eventually after 20 years away from his home and family, he makes it back and everything is happy once again.
In my eyes a hero is a person who shows courage, is humble, does not give up, and is someone everybody can relate to. The protagonist in “The Odyssey” by Homer, Odysseus is a hero because although he is emotional throughout the book and lets his emotions take over his actions, he displays immense courage and perseveres through his journey and hardships.
Of all literature works read thus far, the Odyssey full fills the hero’s journey in all aspects of the story. Throughout this story there are vivid examples of how the hero’s journey is outlined. From the beginning of “the hero’s journey”, which is the call to adventure Odysseus will begin his journey when he makes the choice of going into battle in the Trojan War. There will also be specific events in this epic story to display “the hero’s journey” even further. Eventually the end of the journey will be revealed when Odysseus regains his family, friends, and home. This part of
Is Odysseus, the main character of Homer’s The Odyssey, really an epic hero? 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. An epic hero struggles and is overwhelmed with difficulties. An epic hero is on a quest of self discovery, war or some sort of goal. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca after ten years of war in Troy. 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 surmounts
Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. 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.
In Greek literature of mythology, we have examined Odysseus. Students and scholars alike have held debates about Odysseus. The discussion is whether Odysseus was a true hero, as read in The Odyssey. There is abundant supportive evidence to verify all sides of the debate and opinions held about Odysseus. Odysseus had encompassed many qualities that I believe make him a hero. The qualities he embodied were mental strength, physical strength, and spiritual strength. I would like to advocate for why Odysseus was a hero.
Odysseus tends to use strategy over strength to be a hero when it comes to challenges. Instead of beginning with fighting the Cyclops, he takes his time and sets up a plan. Everytime he enters a new island, he does not start telling everyone that he is Odysseus, king of Ithaca. Instead, he charms the people he meets and uses his wise words that cause them to help and pity him. Odysseus represents what being a hero is actually all about. Throughout the novel The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus continuously shows his personality of being an admirable hero to everyone by using strategy instead of strength.
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.
Some may believe a hero is a person who fights evil and saves people. In reality, it is more than than that. A hero is someone who fights for what they believe in, they are courageous, fight for the greater good, and above all, would sacrifice their life to save the lives of many. For example, in The Odyssey, a hotshot is shown in the life of Odysseus. While many believe Odysseus was a great figure and leader, he was far from that. He failed his crew, and for one reason only, he was not the chieftain his men needed.
There are many different ways that a hero can be described or imagined. Everyone has their own ideas of what makes someone a hero. Also, for many heroes it is debatable whether they really are a hero. In The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fitzgerald, Odysseus is one such debatable hero. Odysseus is a hero because he is brave, level-headed, and he shows faithfulness and respect to important figures in his life.
Odysseus, the main character of The Odyssey, is an amazing example of an ancient hero that went through many different challenges. Heros, to me, are people who do great and help many different people in a lot of different ways. Odysseus is a good example of an ancient hero because he helped his city defeat Troy with his great trickery, courage, and strength. A great example of a modern day hero is Superman. Also known as Clark Kent, Superman is an outstanding hero. He helps out his city whenever they are invaded by evil super villains. He is able to accomplish these challenges with his superpowers, his willingness to protect the citizens. I believe that Odysseus has a lot of similarities with Superman in a hero’s journey.
In the poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus, the main character, travels away from his home and finds himself in a situation that prevents him from going back for a long period of time. During the times of trouble, Odysseus reveals characteristics about himself that might otherwise have been hidden if it were not for the journey. This defines his character and shows him to be not an admirable hero. Odysseus first shows this when he successfully escapes from the Cyclops’s home but made a drastic mistake and says: ‘O Cyclops! Would you feast on my companions?
The Odyssey is Homer’s epic tale of Odysseus and his 10 year journey back home after fighting in the Trojan War. Odysseus, a prideful, famed soldier and king of Ithaca in Greece, has already been at war for 10 years and while he and his crewmen try to return home, they encounter many obstacles and enemies, including sea monsters, nymphs, cyclopes, and storms. Odysseus uses his strength, wit and brute force to defeat his foes and escape. This would make him a hero in ancient times. However, in modern times, a hero can be described as a caring and selfless leader. Such individuals include Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., who both fought using non-violence. They made sacrifices to help the people instead of personal interests, such as
Odysseus is a hero that uses modern day standards. Odysseus has done many things on his trip going to and from Ithaca. He has traveled oceans and fought in a war and fought his way back home. He was away for 20 years from his family in Ithaca. Odysseus he is known by many people for being a hero.
Everyone has many different personalities, but the two that Odysseus holds makes up who he is. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer Odysseus a very fearful man goes on a very long journey through ups and downs. Throughout his voyage he has brilliant ideas and plans along with some mad chaos.
After reading The Odyssey, you may wondering who Polyphemus hates more than Odysseus? Nobody! In Odysseus’ quest to return to Ithaca, he encounters many people with whom he makes acquaintance or enemy and he also succeeds in almost every challenge that arises in his journey home. Odysseus is revealed as an epic hero by Homer in The Odyssey because he shows that he is larger than life when he undertakes a dangerous voyage, goes through a change, and demonstrates traits valued by society through his successes during the Challenges, the Transformation, and the Return. Odysseus portrays his cunning and valiant personality and how he is larger than life when he has undertaken a dangerous voyage during the Challenges when he faces the cyclops,