The Importance Of Odysseus In Homer's 'Odyssey'

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.

Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey translated by Robert Fagles completely illustrate Odysseus’s journey home after The Trojan War. Separated into twenty-four different books, the poem describes the hardships Odysseus faces and how he overcomes obstacles. Though this poem is composed for listeners and may seem incomprehensible, Homer includes a plethora of literary devices to help audiences better understand, follow, and enjoy the context of The Odyssey. Throughout this poem instances of epic simile, foreshadowing, epithet, and xenia are included to help the poem flow.

In the beginning of Book XI, Odysseus goes to Hades where people confront him from his past, present and future. He is confused and dazed and seems to change as the different characters address him. All of the elements of Book XI show that it is the most pivotal book in Odysseus's voyage homeward and in the development of his character.

Odysseus is described as a god-like man. He is cunning, sly, suave, strong, confident and self-possessed. He accomplishes many great events like that of defeating the Trojans, slaying the suitors and travelling to and back from Hades. 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” . Athena found him to be “so winning, so worldly wise, so self possessed!” . Neither does he lack in ingenuity, King Nestor said that “No one...could hope to rival Odysseus, not for sheer cunning–at every twist of strategy he excelled us all” . Odysseus has a large and gallant reputation to fulfil, but when he first makes an appearance in the book he is crying on Calypso’s island. Crying is often seen as a weakness in a man, but this makes Odysseus more endearing as it reveals the labour of his love.

Throughout the epic Homeric poem, The Odyssey of Homer, Odysseus is a hero known for his cunningness, vigilance, and overall attainment of homecoming. Odysseus’ journey home is one of many mental and physical tests that which involve numerous encounters with others whose characters are in opposition with his. It is important to understand that through his encounters with certain opposing characters, Odysseus’ qualities of possessing heroism and cleverness are vividly portrayed. In this instance, the characterization of Odysseus will be discussed in terms of how Agamemnon’s, Odysseus’ companions’, and the suitors’ characters reinforce Odysseus’ cleverness, prudence and heroism, as well as his avoidance of self-destruction and attainment of homecoming.

Odysseus discovers more about himself through his self control, and lack thereof. While overall Odysseus’ goal to make

In The Odyssey by Homer, the development of Odysseus’s characterization through the course of the epic portrays the hero’s journey structure. The hero’s journey chiefly consists of the departure, trials, and the homecoming; the hero matures with the successful completion of each stage. Therefore, Odysseus’s character transformation as a hero metaphorically conveys his progress in the hero’s journey. In the beginning of the epic, Odysseus is like any other young, inexperienced hero with excessive pride in his raw strength. As he truly begins his journey into the unknown (departure), he learns that his character flaws threaten his objective. Up until his encounter with the Cyclops, Odysseus was accustomed to winning with his physical might (Trojan War). However, when his strength could do him no good while trapped in a cave with a beast, he was forced to think beyond killing and combat; ultimately he met success by using his mind, something he had never done before. Yet, still an immature hero, Odysseus brooded over his success and taunted the beast as he left the island. In response, the “blind thing

One strives for a larger than life identity. Positioning others before yourself or for their better good, shows one more superior. Living in the shadows, does not allow them to rise above the rest. One who sticks out of the crowd, becomes a hero. Imperfections, a chance to fix mistakes and relate on a humane level. Negative flaws form Odysseus into a hero, that mortals associate with. Moralistic values overpower the idea of capes and tights. Strong teachings resurface from deep within, when needed most. Odysseus exists as a hero using the concept of well-roundedness. Using lessons taught from the crew and Penelope, he strives for the better. A first look at the physical appearance of Odysseus contradicts his heroic character of the inside. Similar to how an onion possesses many layers, his internal being contains depth. One must peal away disguises to find an honorable hero, like Odysseus, buried within faults and

In the story The Odyssey, Odysseus is the king of his home Ithaca. He won the battle of Troy and is trying to find his way back home. His wife, Penelope and son, Telemachus are back in Ithaca waiting for his patiently for his arrival. Along the way home he comes across many things that slow him down but he is still determined to get back to his family and Ithaca. Along the way Odysseus has shown many characteristics of a hero. Some things are when this is said in the story, “...weathered many bitter nights and days in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home.” ( The Odyssey page. 371). This shows that Odysseus was not only protecting himself but also protecting his shipmates. Knowing that he

Receiving help from others defines a hero more than superpowers and magic, or knowledge and skill. Receiving help makes a hero human-like and relatable throughout their journey and trials. The god’s help throughout Odysseus’ story in a number of ways: when Hermes was went by Athena and Zeus to help Odysseus off of Calypso’s island, when the sea goddess Ino saved Odysseus with a magic scarf, Athena’s help and supervision throughout the journey of Odysseus, and Athena’s influence during the battle of the suitors and Odysseus. Odysseus’ help from the gods shows Odysseus’ virtues of humility, his humanity, and his bravery.

What is a hero? Someone who fights for themselves, or shows bravery? Homer’s The Odyssey, follows the journey of Odysseus back to his homeland, Ithaca. Along this journey, Odysseus performs some actions that some consider heroic. Although modern literary scholars of The Odyssey have argue that Odysseus is a hero, closer examination shows that he is indeed not a hero because he only cares about himself, he does not finish his mission successfully, and he kills innocent people.

Throughout the course of Homer’s epic The Odyssey, Odysseus and his son Telémakhos both share a passion for each other and courage, yet also differ in that Odysseus has a seemingly higher intellect and is not as careless as his child. The term “Like father, like son” paints an accurate portrayal of the relationship between Odysseus and Telémakhos. The devotion they have for glory and their family is shown constantly. They also share a distain for the suitors that have invaded their home. However, Telémakhos lacks his father’s wit and cunning and is prone to mistakes, showing that he is yet to develop fully as an adult. Their relationship is still a very strong one though, because as soon as Telémakhos realizes the beggar’s true identity,

How would you feel if you had to leave someone you love and you had to go on a long trip with many dangers and quests? Odysseus has to go through all that in the Odyssey by homer. In this book is a series of pomes of challenges a man name Odysseus must face to try to get home. Odysseus has to face challenges going to a Cyclopes home, a women name Circe, and a giant beast name Scylla. But when a person is trying to achieve something the outcome might not always satisfy the person.

There are several ways leadership is portrayed from Odysseus. Even though he’s a leader he still comes across as self-centered and full of himself. In the Odyssey, Homer uses internal and external conflicts to show how Odysseus is a good leader, but at the same time can be arrogant and selfish.

Odysseus is the main character in the Odyssey. His journey is revealed as full of obstacles as he attempts to become more than a man by gaining preeminence over other mortals. He is depicted as unsurpassed in both prowess and power, which makes him regarded in the same lights as gods. By stating that “Now the master mariner steered his craft, sleep never closing his eyes” , Robert Fagles offers insight into the life of Odyssey as a master mariner and a venerated soldier. Subsequently, the true identity of Odysseus is revealed when he voraciously slaughters suitors.