Odysseus thinks he is being heroic and manly, but he is actually placing his life and that of the crews in danger all because he wants to hear the song of the sirens. A hero is a figure undertaking a quest (Odysseus). 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. What are some reasons why Odysseus is or is not a hero? Odysseus defies the suitors and wins his wife and kingdom back. 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. This is very poor leadership in the eyes of his crew members. Odysseus was faithful and loyal. 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. As Odysseus is about to kill the Cyclops, he remembers that he is trapped in a cave with a large boulder blocking the entrance that he and his men will not be able to move. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. The protagonist is the primary actor. Odysseus is described as a god-like man. I wished to see the cave man, what he had to offerno pretty sight, it turned out for my friends. Six of Odysseus men are eaten because of his ridiculous folly. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. Especially if you compare it too previous myths like Hercules or Achillies; they were all muscle and not a ton of brain. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. WebOdysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology, king of the island of Ithaca and the main protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey.. He is shown to be clever but flawed, as his pride leads him to reveal his identity to Polyphemus in Odyssey 9, enabling the cyclops to pray to Poseidon and curse the rest of his journey back to Ithaca. This shows that Odysseus had mounted Circes bed and that he had a affair with Circe. He knows that the boulder that is blocking the entrance is heavy so he doesn 't kill Polyphemus. A good example of a modern hero would be the First Lady, Michelle Obama. A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, achievements, and noble qualities. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. During his long and perilous journey home Odysseus shows many heroic qualities that help save his men from many dangerous situations. First of all, Odysseus was very selfish during their journey back to Ithaca. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. 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 would have killed her thinking she would spoil his plan. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. In the main character this realism must be found in his character, in Odyessues's case there is a great lack of actual muscular heroic action. Odysseus is very vengeful in this situation. If you wish to support us, please check out. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. Free Essay: Odysseus: Hero or Villain - 663 Words WebODYSSEUS A hero of the Trojan War, whose fleet was blown off course in a storm on his return. The gods punished him by stranding him at sea for more than ten years without being able to go home. Odysseus of Ithaka. Odysseus feels he is always the leader and no one can tell him otherwise. WebOdysseus is a villain because he is stubborn in Polyphemuss cave, disrespectful to the gods, and is unfaithful to his wife. 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 knows how loyal his crew is to him so, if one of them was to untie him they could have all ended up dead. On this journey, he encounters many monsters, many ladies, and we see his good side and his bad side. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. Odysseus is hard to classify because of his contradicting traits. Well drive the kids and lambs aboard. Why Is Odysseus Not Considered A Hero? - FAQS Clear Odysseus Hero Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus. Odysseus is different from other heroes. I could not welcome you with love on sight! He is not a hero, however, when his These reasons alone leaves me, and should leave you, to believe that Odysseus is not heroic. (19.542-43). He was also the king of Ithaca and the prime protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey. Odysseus said, comrades riven in agony/ shrieking out my name // angler poised on a jutting rock // gasping out their lives. After all that Odysseus has done to the crew, it is true to. Dexter Morgan. He wasn't thinking about his wife and son. Odysseus was also a prominent character in another Homeric epic, the Iliad. Instead, Odysseus only hurts him. Odysseus is sailing away from Cyclops Island and he is teasing Polyphemus about escaping. WebEvidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. Odysseus is perhaps more closely paralleled to a modern-day hero like Batman or Iron Man. Explain the situations in which Odysseus shows these qualities. The most heroic attribute of Odysseus was that he was smart. However, Odysseus displays certain characteristics that seem to only hold weight in an ancient definition of a hero. There is many thing that can support this claim. In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. Odysseus puts everything at risk in order to get his men home safely. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. Odysseus is another prominent example of a Homeric hero. Need a custom essay on the same Homer remains one of the most well-read texts even today. A modern hero is recognized by the goodness in their heart. In another place in the book, six of Odysseuss best men are killed by the six headed beast Scylla. He does not deserve the credit for his getting home from the war at all. Achilles, Odysseus, and Aeneas are undoubtedly heroes but they would all certainly feel out of place in a superhero movie of today! Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. Like most epic heroes, Odysseus has been mostly harmed by the gods. Of course he did, he just didnt care. Odysseus left Calypsos Island and began his journey back home. He believes he is always right and will do what he thinks is right, like a villain. Odysseus vs Batman - Ancient and Modern Concepts of This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. 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. He proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). The Odyssey: Odysseus Quotes | SparkNotes Through The Meadowlands and The Penelopiad, Circe and Penelope showed their strong opinions of this hero through their, Archetypes are evident in all kinds of classic literature, but Homers The Odyssey reveals archetypes in heroes, villains, and a journey. He does not have any supernatural abilities unlike Achilles who is the son of a goddess and so has superhuman strength and speed. Although they shouldn't commit them often only when it is absolutely necessary. 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. Throughout the book of the Odyssey, Odysseus does some things that may have been wrong, but in his mind was he doing the right thing? 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 not the epitome of an epic hero., Hero? In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. 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. Homer is describing the crew lashing Odysseus to the mast so that he may hear the sirens sing. Also this shows that he cheated on his wife Penelope, he also never told her about it. Odysseus is a hero because of his selfless attempts in saving his crew members, and his intelligence and cunningness in difficult situations. Heroes are supposed to be rational, faithful, and honest, whereas, Penelope spent twenty years waiting for Odysseus to return home. Odysseus, hes known as a war hero on his way back to his homeland, who ends up going on a ten year long journey due to unforeseen circumstances. He often does things based purely on a feeling. He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. After Odysseus and his men left Troy they sailed near Ismarus, which is, When we think of someone who is a hero, we think of someone who is idolized for their bravery or amazing achievements; is Odysseus one of these heroes? The opening line of The Odyssey introduces Odysseus by his epithet, the man of twists and turns.. 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). Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? When trapped on Calypsos island he shows no attempt to escape and instead finds pleasure in being their. Archetypes are characters or character traits that is created and recreated all throughout literature. Odysseus doesnt do this only once through his journey back, he does it again with Kalypso for seven years and by will: He lay with her each night, for she compelled him. (V, 163). He rushed to save his men for honor. Homers Odyssey is about an epic hero named Odysseus and his quest home. In conclusion, Odysseus throughout his actions proves to be not only veil but a villain. The 3 archetypes, Whenever I think of a hero, visions of characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman often come to mind, as these strong figures have save their respective communities from danger using their remarkable skills. 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. The quintessential hero of the Iliad is Achilles, aristos achaion (the best of the Greeks), who is the most esteemed warrior in Homeric epic. 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 . One example of this would be when he tells Polyphemus that his name is Nobody. Although Circe told Odysseus to steer clear of the area, Odysseus wanted to be known as the man who survived a Sirens song. Such as next a reasons why Odysseus is not a hero is because he was the cause why his own mother died., If one were to walk methodically through an art gallery viewing the lovely artworks of the past you'd have to really stop and notice those of the Renaissance. 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. Finally, Odysseus is home and after a long journey in which he shows no heroic actions and yet proves to be nothing but a villain, he once again proves throughout his actions that he is a villain. Therefore, Odysseus is not a hero. Also in The Odyssey, Odysseus makes careless decisions which lead them into trouble. Odysseus is not a hero because he killed a lot of men, whom he didn't know, to save his family. Being a hero originally means a brave person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.. This reveals Odysseus is a villain because he reacts as if he was innocent and some way being betrayed by his own wife. The first reasons why Odysseus is a hero is because he risks his life for crew multiple times throughout the story. The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. However, think about his so called heroic actions and the way he made everything work out for his own benefits. The ancient idea vastly differs from what we think of as a hero today but there are parallels that are interesting to consider; ancient heroism still arguably impacts modern-day perception. 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. Harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy.(The Odyssey line 3). Odysseus was also very arrogant to think that he could get past the Sirens. Being loyal, clever, and dedicated are examples of being a heroic person. 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. In the book it states, She at once called to her husband Antiphates, who immediately began killing my men. Odysseus then cuts the cable from his own ship to save himself. The hero: In the plays The Odyssey, Oedipus Rex, and Antigone the heroes face torturous journeys that put their will power to the test. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature.