Odysseus feels he is always the leader and no one can tell him otherwise. Odysseus is no hero, if anything, he is more of a villain. He was also loyal to his men. Hero or Villain He didnt consider failing at all because he never stopped to think about his decision, he rashly makes a choice and is forced to suffer the. Odysseus clearly believes that he is above the rules that most people in society chose to, Odysseus tends to make rash decisions and often finds it impossible to control his impulses. WebEvidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. 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. If you wish to support us, please check out. Odysseus portrays his selfishness right as the book begins and this shows how truly incompetent of an individual he is. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. Modern day depictions of heroes are influenced by popular media such as comic books, movies, and TV. While he and his men were on the land of the lotus eaters Odysseus could have left, After defeating the Cyclops and heading back out into the sea he stood on his ship mocking the Cyclops. That plan was to build a big wooden horse as a gift for the trojans, the trojans accepted it and brought it inside their village. Another way in which Odysseus shows he is a villain is when he finally reunites with his wife Penelope and reacts with rage when she tests him. You don't always have to save a person's life. Odysseus defies the suitors and wins his wife and kingdom back. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. Dont married people promise to be faithful, no matter what? Odysseus might think he was performing a heroic action but in actuality he was performing an act of selfishness. The goddess of war, Athena, told Odysseus what he should do to save them and helped him get home. Odysseus, the Cyclops, and Penelope are specific examples of archetypes in this epic poem. So Odysseus is not a hero for his family. The mighty Odysseus is many, many things but he is no hero in my eyes. In fact, he puts the duty he has towards his people before his own needs, which is demonstrated when he leaves Dido behind in Carthage as he knows that it is his destiny to found a new city in Italy. Aeneas is closer to a modern hero, but he is still notably Roman in his motivations, which are removed from our own society. For example, when Odysseus and his men approach the giant he offers him liquor to wash down your scraps of men (Homer 991). This story is about his travels home and how he got caught up in other business. He is not a hero, however, when his You make my stiff heart know that I am yours. Penelope never once considered cheating on Odysseus so why couldnt Odysseus pay her the same courtesy. With great power comes great responsibility this quote is used by many heros and odysseus obviously shows no responsibilities, so his power is simply bad, or evil . Odysseus Odysseus said, comrades riven in agony/ shrieking out my name // angler poised on a jutting rock // gasping out their lives. It states in the book, Athena touched him with her wand and covered him with wrinkles. Athena made the plan to defeat the suitors and helped disguise Odysseus. He is cunning, sly, suave, strong, confident and self-possessed. protagonist ro \hir- ()\ Noun a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal Literary Devices Odysseus is not a hero because he constantly puts his men in danger and makes decisions without thinking. Another example of Odysseuss ignorance toward people is when Eurylochus tells him not to go onto Kirkes island because he knows the crew would be turned into swine. The rest of his crew that wasnt under Circes spell would have been lost if Odysseus died because they rely so heavily on him. In Homers, The Odyssey, I believe that Odysseus is a true modern hero. Even though they disobey him constantly, Odysseus is still loyal to them. 13181950) Selwood, Fleet, GU51 4QT. These reasons alone leaves me, and should leave you, to believe that Odysseus is not heroic. Odysseus had come up with a plan for his men during the war. Hero Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus faces an internal battle between loyalty and betrayal in the presence of numerous temptations. Odyessus is more wit then might and he actually applies this to his survival, however there is no doubt that these talents are given by the Goddess Athena who watches over his every move. Odysseus surmounts. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus proves he is not a hero because he is arrogant, secretive, and unfaithful; resulting for readers to believe that every action has an consequence. One strong archetype in the Odyssey is the hero archetype. Odysseus tells the Phaeacians in his story, So they spoke, but they could not persuade my great-hearted spirit; and I answered him again with angry heart: Cyclops, if any one of mortal men shall ask thee about the shameful blinding of thine eye, say that Odysseus, the sacker of cities, blinded it, even the son of Laertes, whose home is in Ithaca(Homer.9.500-506). 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. In another place in the book, six of Odysseuss best men are killed by the six headed beast Scylla. If you wish to support us, please check out our range of merchandise, available now on Redbubble. Of course he did, he just didnt care. Odysseus should not be considered a hero because he portrays himself as a selfish man that failed his crew, and is controlled by his hubris. The simple acts of heroism are often overlooked-thats very clear to me not only in war but in peace (source 2). 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. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2009., I will be writing a essay of the book The Odyssey written by the person Homer. Although people make mistakes does that mean that they cannot be a hero? One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. So is Odysseus really a hero? He is superhuman. The son of Laertes and Anticlea, WebFrom Villain to Hero explores the reception of Odysseus in philosophy, a subject that so far has been treated only in tangential or limited ways. 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. Well in the story of The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a lot of honorable characteristics, but he also has a few immoral characteristics. A hero accepts who he is as an individual, but strives to change himself for the better. Odysseus: Hero or Villain Essay - 650 Words | Bartleby There is a lot of reasonings to both sides, he could be a hero because he was loyal to his homeland and men. Many would argue that Odysseus is more of a villain nowadays, for every instance of his wiliness or feats of strength there are several of venality, vice, cruelty, or selfishness. Hero; Of course Odysseus. Evidence proves that, Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. The possession of the character trait, arrogance, does not help him in escaping, but rather puts him closer to danger. He proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). Odysseus must battle the suitors that have taken his wife Penelope, and may soon kill his son Telemachus. Joseph Campbell once said, A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. True heroes are those who do something for others rather for themselves, Odysseus doesnt exactly show this trait in The Odyssey. The only reason Odysseus ties himself up to the mast, when instead he could have simply plugged his ears with wax like the rest of his crew, is that he chooses the jeopardous choice, wanting to "go down in the books" by being the first man to ever listen to the Sirens song and live. 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. WebThe Hero The constant strife for self-satisfaction Is often taxing. WebOdysseus may be considered a hero because he is high born, a brave fighter, an intelligent trickster, and one who earns favor from the gods. Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns. He fearlessly leads his remaining men home to Ithaca, doing everything in his power to get them back alive and well. However, three stories of his show specific archetype proficiently and repeatedly. Diomedes, Odysseus, Ajax, and even Hector are all examples of Homeric heroes: they win kleos (glory) in battle by defeating their enemies in killing sprees which display their aristeia (battle excellence) the ability to defeat the enemy is what epitomises a Homeric hero. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. (XIX, lines 163-190) Penelope is experiencing so much pressure from the suitors and her family, but she still refuses to succumb and does not cheat on. The Odyssey, by Homer, has a large range of stories in it. He cares more about honor than the safety of his crew. This is very poor leadership in the eyes of his crew members. Is Odysseus a Hero There are ups and downs to every situation, and through reading The Odyssey, readers can connect parallels between Odysseus experiences and lessons learned in their own life. When Odysseus is on the journey to Ithaka, he neglects to let his crew know how long they will be staying on each island. 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. She was one of the only goddesses on his side. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. The Odyssey is the perfect story for examples of archetypes seeing as it has so many of them. Is Odysseus, the main character of Homers The Odyssey, really an epic hero? 1. Some men were killed by the Cyclops, a huge monster with one eye. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. Some men were killed by the Cyclops, a huge monster with one eye. 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. Hes also a very famous archetype for The Hero. Odysseus cheats on his wife more than once; it was not a simple lapse in judgment. One of the motifs for which Homer has set the precedent is heroes: Homeric heroism is a concept that is widely discussed within scholarship. On the island of Cicones,and with his encounter with Polyphemus, Odysseus learned that bragging can bring great misfortune. 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. Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. If a hero is reinforced as a hero, The innate nature of humanistic narcissism strengthens. Although she did not help during his travels, Athena assisted Odysseus in his battle against the suitors in his kingdom. He earns the respect of his men during the Trojan War by making good sound decisions and caring about the welfare of his men. He was very competitive and tried to be better than anyone else and insured his name lived on forever. Odysseus tends to use strategy over strength to be a hero when it comes to challenges. The episode of the Sirens,(Book 12), is one example. A hero is someone who is compassionate, selfless, and wise. 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. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. He was a villain and there is no doubt about it. 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. Odysseus Hero Need a custom essay on the same Odysseuss first situation was with Kalypso. He was also the king of Ithaca and the prime protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey. There was one obstacle where they fell The first heroic thing he has done is go fight in a war with the trojans. A good example of a modern hero would be the First Lady, Michelle Obama. The old soldier in despair: He has spent ten years (seven of them as Calypsos not entirely unwillingly captive) trying to get home (652, summary). 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. One example of this would be when he tells Polyphemus that his name is Nobody. Humans make mistakes, and seeing Odysseus failures humanizes him and makes him more realistic. Archetypes are characters or character traits that is created and recreated all throughout literature. You can just put effort into it and try as hard as you can. In many cases he only saves himself, he is selfish, and he isnt humble. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. 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. Also if you ask me, yes a hero can commit crimes. Odysseus is clever by doing this because he can predict that the liquor will make him fall asleep. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. What heroic qualities does Odysseus show? Would Achilles be judged as a hero in modern times? Homer was truly the precedent of works to follow from Greek tragedy to Virgils Aeneid, the influence of Homer on the ancient world was undeniable. Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. Homer said, But Odysseus shot his right hand out, clutching the nurses throat. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. Odysseus was also a prominent character in another Homeric epic, the Iliad. It is sometimes difficult to reconcile this man with the one who willingly gives up eternal life for the moral condition and the chance to return to his wife. Odysseus, in Homer's Odyssey, is considered an ancient hero. 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? Odysseus of Ithaka. Some are very strong, some are very smart, some are very rich that they can afford to create gadgets to make them do unnatural things, like Batman and Iron Man. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. The old soldier in despair: He has spent ten years (seven of them as Calypsos not entirely unwillingly captive) trying to get home (652, summary). He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. 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 . Homer remains one of the most well-read texts even today. He knew he was a villain and somehow still got away with. However, Odysseus displays certain characteristics that seem to only hold weight in an ancient definition of a hero. wait until the sender of the message realises that the Athenian tragedians also engaged in the vilification of Odysseus and he is far from the hero, neither the protagonist or the morally correct one, in several of the most moving pieces of the golden age of Athenian literature Odysseus is the villain in SO many stories. This is not how I would describe Odysseus from the book The Odyssey by Homer, everyone always thought of Odysseus as the hero of the story, but he was quite the opposite. A hero is a person who is recognized or idealized for his or her outstanding achievements and noble qualities. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. One reason for this claim is odysseus is smart, brave, and kind and another reason is he wants to go home and protect his family. He is intelligent, yet boastful. Why is Odysseus an epic hero? Odysseus left Calypsos Island and began his journey back home. Due to the fact that hes very noble and brave (and in an epic poem), that makes him an epic hero. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. Even though there is a large gap in space between Odysseus travels and the present, human nature and weakness still share the same obstacles. 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. Another trait that ends up killing a number of his men is his lack of leadership skills, or rather the lack of respect and trust from his men. However most myths are in this way, there doesn't seem to be many relatable things in these stories but the overral moral connects to the reader making the myth more realistic. 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. He is a hero because he saves his beloved wife from the suitors that yearn for her (the wife, Penelopes) hand as well as Odysseus thrown; he does this through a battle that ends, these three archetypes the hero, villain/monster, and the damsel in distress. Odysseuss inability to think through his rash decisions and recognize the right choice over the honorable and selfish one makes him unfit to be a, In conclusion Odysseus is a true hero even though he was thoughtless, selfish and deceitful. The archetype of heroism allows an individual to serve as the primary example of what society deems, archetypes the hero, villain/monster, and the damsel in distress. Do you consider Odysseus as a hero Why or why not? They tied me up, then, plumb amidships, back to the mast, lashed to the mast and took themselves again to rowing (Homer 1134). All depictions in Ancient Greece and Rome were truly to better enhance the world's view of the artistic human form. 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 . He proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). Another example that proves he is not a hero when he was acting selfish by sacrificing his crew men. A hero takes many forms, such as an allegorical hero, a tragic hero, or an epic hero. Of course not, but does not being a villain automatically make him a hero? In the Odyssey, Odysseus is quite the legend known to people, whether you are high up in the sky with Zeus, or deep in the ocean with Poseidon, everyone knows Odysseus. From him angering Poseidon by blinding his Cyclopes son Prometheus, to Zeus striking down his ship, Odysseus did not have the gods on his side during his journey home. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. 48. There is no denying that Odysseus has done more than most men, but has he done it with decency, integrity, or honor? 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. 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. Odysseus as a Hero Odysseus was probably think that if he and his army defeated Troy than they would have any more trouble with anyone, but, April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? Perhaps not. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Odysseus Hero or Villian - Cecilya Guilbault Odysseus, a Good He put his own men in danger just because he wanted to become famous. is Odysseus Though you still serve the public, Their strike of disgust enhances the self-fulfilling prophecy. An epic hero is on a quest of self discovery, war or some sort of goal. The themes of warfare, human emotion, loss, and struggle are enduring and can resonate with anyone across the world. This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. Dexter Morgan. 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. He makes Odysseus look brave and heroic. They expect Odysseus to make decisions for the well being of the crew. His pride clouds his mind and he wants the fame of being the only man to have survived the Sirens song, he never once considers what might have happened had he failed. Odysseus vs Batman - Ancient and Modern Concepts of In conclusion, Odysseus throughout his actions proves to be not only veil but a villain. Evidence proves that. Everytime he enters a new island, he does not start telling everyone that he is Odysseus, king of Ithaca. Odysseus may be leaderful, but he can be too curious. Now, is Odysseus a villain? Odysseus portrays his selfishness right as the book begins and this shows how truly incompetent of an individual he is. WebOdysseus. Odysseus :: The Trickster Hero - Greek Mythology Odysseus has these qualities and more. He also neglects to let them know of the journey that lies ahead. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. Now you might say that in this case Odysseus is not a hero because he was not thinking ahead in the first place and was too curious and got him and his men caught by the Cyclops. The main character is a man named Odysseus who displays hero characteristics throughout the book. (19.542-43). He is selfish, disloyal, hypocritical and harsh; everything a hero is not. WebOdysseus is Not a Hero for the Modern Age Essay. Odysseus from the Ancient Greek epic The Odyssey by Homer is often considered a hero, although he does not share the same characteristics that most people who are considered heroes in todays popular culture have. Well drive the kids and lambs aboard. This is Walter White. When he landed on the island of Aiaia, he sleeps with Kirke. Odysseus was not the hero, though. He comes home to Ithaca and immediately seeks revenge against the suitors who have been courting his wife Penelope and abusing xenia (the Greeks sacred concept of hospitality). Most of these mistakes could have been fixed by Odysseus making better decisions throughout his journey. Odysseus has some good traits, some bad flaws, and has been in some ugly situations, but overall he is a true hero. 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. Odysseuss actions may seem selfless and/or heroic however they are actually being mistaken for acts of selfishness. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. Another plan he implemented was to kill the suitors which is also a success because Odysseus and Telemakos themselves kill over a hundred men without an injury to themselves .Odysseus is a quick-thinker whose resourceful ideas save many lives. The first reasons why Odysseus is a hero is because he risks his life for crew multiple times throughout the story. These events lead to him losing crew members and putting them into dangerous situations, elongating his voyage home, and putting his integrity at risk. The opening line of The Odyssey introduces Odysseus by his epithet, the man of twists and turns.. Odysseus is different from other heroes. Odysseus is not a hero because he killed a lot of men, whom he didn't know, to save his family. Odysseus, when it comes to his crew and family, is confident, compassionate, wise, and always knows a way to get out of any problem. People describe them as brave, daring, and trustworthy. 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. Odysseus is a different type of hero to Achilles: his heroic qualities stem from his quick wit and clever tactics rather than brute strength in battle. For generations people have been correct to honor the great Odysseus, for his actions along his adventures.
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