The Hero in Homer's The Odyssey and in the Indian epic, The Ramayana
The word hero can be considered an umbrella term for its inability to be pigeonholed into one set definition. There's different criteria to be a hero as determined by each individual or groups of people. The protagonist of the Ramayana, Rama, and Odysseus from The Odyssey, are both considered heroes and fit that description according to the most basic notion of a hero.
Rama is a hero because he defeated Ravana and consequently evil, and Odysseus triumphed over mammoth obstacles on his journey home from war. Superficially they do share many heroic qualities but in a deeper level they are very distinct characters from one another and their heroic qualities are manifested in different ways.
In understanding the heroic quality of Rama and Odysseus, it is important to look at the context of the setting and time in which these characters inhabit. This is an instance of how the definition of hero can vary for different people. If both characters were to swap settings while retaining their own characteristics, they may still be considered heroes but not to the degree of success each one achieves in their native locations. At the time that The Odyssey was written,
Greece was very much a war-like culture which placed great emphasis on fame and fortune.
Evidence of this can be traced all throughout The Odyssey. The narrator while setting the scene, never fails to describe the luxurious details and goods. In the very
What are their outstanding qualities? Does the author give any indication as to how or why the character developed these qualities?
The word “hero“ is a very short word with a very long meaning. The image that comes up when most people hear the word “hero“ is normally a man with a cape, tights, and a “S” in the middle of his chest, along with a chiseled jaw, muscular arms and body, and dreamy eyes. This image is often thought of when the word “hero” pops up in conversation, although you don’t have to have supernatural powers or fight against evil mad scientists to be considered as a hero.
• What are their outstanding qualities? Does the author give any indication as to how or why the character developed these qualities?
First, Odysseus is not a hero because he is a foolish leader who makes many mistakes on his journey back home to Ithaka. His first mistake is his decision to let his men raid and
The heroes are like other human beings but have either done something which makes them excel over others or have a gift that others do not possess.
To me a hero is someone who is nice, kind, caring, open minded, confident, not afraid to help others and not a quitter.
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.
Although Odysseus and Rama are similar in the fact that they are both heroes who long to reunite with their respective wives, the differences between them are clear. Odysseus is a very flawed character, which allows modern readers to relate to him easier than Rama, who is nearly perfect in every aspect, and serves more as an idealization of how to behave in Hindu culture, rather than a realistic and relatable hero.
The epic poem, The Odyssey, performed by Homer, expresses views about what a hero means to the author through a constructed Greek myth. Homer utilizes different styles of literary devices to portray his explanation on what a hero means to him through three different characters: Odysseus, Penelope, and Telemachus. The book takes place on an Island in Greece, specifically, the protagonist’s wanderings cover the Aegean and surrounding seas. The story eventually ends in Ithaca, in northwestern Greece. Telemachus travels from Ithaca to southern Greece around 700 B.C. As the book goes on, these three characters develop heroic qualities as people who put themselves in front of others, use wit rather than brute force, and the develop strong familial values.
The definition of a hero is not a simple dictionary definition. Heroism is a complex idea, but many people in history have been regarded as heroes. These great figures were honored by all, it is they who embody heroism. They made a large change for the better in our society. While this change is what made them stand out, all you need to be is one who helps and trusts others even if you have to sacrifice something for them.
The term hero is can mean many different things in just as many different cultures. For example, modern day Americans would refer to a hero as someone who sacrifices oneself in order to protect and save others. While this current definition of hero is similar to that of the past, the first generation of heroes certainly had their differences. Two unique examples of these heroes are Gilgamesh and Rama. Gilgamesh was the king of Uruk in the Middle East who ruled as a tyrant, while Rama was the king Ayodhya who ruled with compassion. While these two individuals are clearly heroes, they couldn’t be more dissimilar.
A hero is something that society has formed an idea about the characteristic it should posses from history. Through the stories told from the past a hero is developed through their qualities and characteristics they value. When one views a hero from a different culture they can form an opinion on what matters to that culture. One will notice that through all these different heroes that they all share common features. In ancient Hebrew culture Moses represents a hero and for ancient Greek culture Odysseus represents heroic figures.
Heroes are those who have gone above what the average person would do to ensure the welfare of others. Natural disasters, terrorism, poverty, and war are some of the many things that destroy and end people’s lives. Throughout history, many people have made a difference. However, as history progresses, what we consider to be socially normal changes along with our definition of a hero. In Ancient Greece, Theseus, Hercules, and Perseus were considered heroes, but today only Theseus and Perseus would be considered heroes because Hercules would be shunned by society.
The Odyssey written originally in Greek by Homer is on the most acclaimed pieces of literature of all time. Being a major piece of poetic history, The Odyssey is still extremely influential based on its unique rhythm pattern and masterful storytelling. Homer’s epic follows the journey home for a heroic soldier named Odysseus following the Trojan War. One of the major factors he encounters on his journey are a plethora of gods that interact with him. Odysseus interacts with several proactive, human-like, and powerful gods on his quest to find his home and family in Ithaca.
The Odyssey, by Homer, manifests an epic poem located in Ancient Greece around the sixth century BC shortly after the battle of Troy has concluded, throughout this epic poem the man of many wiles, Odysseus, acquires a greater understanding of himself throughout his problematic voyage back to his homeland which is comparable to the personal self-reflections that I have had on my journey throughout life. Each individual encounters people, monsters, and events throughout life that influence actions and decisions; impacts of influences are exhibited in both Odysseus life and my own. Influences establish strengths of character, which determine response to situations and emotions such as distress, exasperation, and pleasure; each character strength