odysseus: an epic hero Essay -- essays research papers fc

Is Odysseus An Epic Hero?Is Odysseus, the main character of marks The Odyssey, really an heroic poem hero? An epic hero embodies some(prenominal) heroic traits such as having master key or super-human strength organism intellectual and courageous and being a strong and responsible leader. An epic hero struggles and is oerwhelmed with difficulties. An epic hero is on a quest of self-importance discovery, contend 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 merci slight Cyclops, angry Gods, deeply obstinate Goddesses, the underworld, and determined suitors that are after his wife genus Penelope. Odysseus surmounts over these obstacles and returns home safely with courage, intelligence, crack strength, brave leadership, and to a fault performs brave deeds. In his quest, Odysseus uses his superior and super human strength to overcome the suitors. In The Odyssey, Penelope holds a contest for all the suitors. She declares that she will marry the oneness who bottom of the inning withdraw and shoot Odysseuss bow through all the cardinal axes. None of the suitors were open-bodied to bend the bow and string it. Odysseus disguised as a beggar then asks if he can try the bow. stave wise Odysseus, when he handled the great bow and scanned it closely, even as one well-skilled to play the lyre and sing stretches with ease round its new peg a string, securing at each end the twisted sheep-gut so without effort did Odysseus string the mighty bow. Holding it now with his right hand, he tried its corduroy and clear to the touch it sang, voiced like the swallow. Then move the arrow on the arch, he drew the string and arrow notches, and forrader from the bench on which he sat let fly the shaft, with sleepless aim, and did not miss an axes ring from first to last, plainly clean through all sped on the bronze-tipped arrow (Homer 210- 211). Odysseus used his superior strength to bend his bow for he was the only one who was able to bend it and string it.In his quest, Odysseus uses his superior intellect to outsmart Polyphemus, the Cyclops. Odysseus and his work force arrive on the land of the Cyclops. Odysseus then chooses his twelve best work force and travel through the mainland and come across a cave. Odysseus and his men sterilize themselves at ... ... here, could have left his men under the influence and sailed tally alone instead he dragged all by forced and brought them to order.Everything Odysseus did wasnt a quality of an epic hero. For example, Odysseus raided the Ismarus, the city of the Cicones. Odysseus and his men took all the treasures and woman. Odysseus also was dissolute to Penelope. Odysseus was with Circe for one year and with Calypso for seven years. This makes Odysseus seem less of an epic hero, but if you consider the other facts about him you should think otherwise. Odysseus was superio r in strength for being the only person to be able to bend and string his bow. Odysseus was intelligent and courageous by standing up to Polyphemus. Odysseus was a responsible and strong leader by forcing his men under the influence to get on the ship and continue their journey home. Therefore, I can conclude that Odysseus is truly an epic hero. Odysseus had many difficulties throughout his journey, but he strived to continue despite his many encounters with gods, goddesses, Cyclops, and suitors. Works CitedHomer. The Odyssey. Minneola, New York capital of Delaware Publications, Inc., 1999.