Odysseus Is A Hero Argumentative Essay

Homer wrote many great poems, one of which being “The Odyssey.” Homer’s main characters were those who are to be considered heroes. Odysseus especially is one of them. Being the person that he was, Odysseus displayed many of the values and qualities the Greeks believed. These characteristics include Glory, Intelligence, Loyalty, and superhuman abilities (i.e. Super Strength, Really high I.Q. Level.) Throughout Homer’s great poem, Odysseus, who is the main character, displays all of these traits, and more. Odysseus is a hero.

Intelligence, one of the many things some struggle to present appears to come easily to Odysseus, as on page 569, “My name is Nohbdy: mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nohbdy.” Here, we see Odysseus and his intelligence deceive the Cyclops, in doing so, they manage an escape from the horrible beast, Polyphemus. Had Odysseus not been so intelligent, he and his men most certainly would have died in the cave of the Cyclops.

Loyalty, giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution, is something not everyone can be or do. Odysseus however, is not everyone, he displays loyalty by never giving up on his journey home to Ithaca, where he is King, page 574, “Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca!” Odysseus here is shouting to the Cyclops that he is from Ithaca, and is now journeying back to his home. This shows loyalty, as he has continuing his voyage home, even after all of the challenges, and extenuating circumstances he has been put through.

Glory, which one can feel after the sensation of completing a noble advancement or challenge. Odysseus was glorified when he came home. As stated on page 610, when he addresses the suitors, who have overrun his house, “You yellow dogs, you thought I’d never make it home from the land of Troy. You took my house to plunder….” This dialogue is showing how Odysseus has glory in the tone of his voice, upon returning home and discovering his wife was being overrun by the suitors. This is a moment of Glory, as one would feel glorious after proving people wrong and achieving something others would believe to be impossible.

Some may argue that Odysseus is not a hero, because of his arrogance, or his bluntness. But they forget one thing, the good outweighs the bad in Odysseus’ case, as he fulfills his destiny, returns home, and saves his wife from an unwanted marriage. However, through these pieces of evidence, Odysseus has shown that he has the characteristics, that of a hero. In conclusion, Odysseus is a hero.

Related Samples

  • Oedipus And Hamlet Comparative Essay Example
  • Good vs. Evil in William Golding´s Lord of the Flies Essay Sample
  • A Character Analysis Of Iago (Othello by William Shakespeare)
  • The Bloodshed of Macbeth Essay Sample
  • Gender Stereotypes In Shakespeare's Macbeth Essay Example
  • Loss of Civilization and Innocence in Lord of the Flies
  • Essay Sample on Animal Farm and Soviet Russia
  • How Friendship Fulfills the Need for Human Connection (On Friendship by Kahlil Gibran Poem Analysis)
  • The Veldt Short Story Analysis Essay
  • Literary Essay Sample. Theme of Pressure in Macbeth

Didn't find the perfect sample?

how is odysseus a hero essay

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Odysseus — What Characteristics Make Odysseus A Hero

test_template

What Characteristics Make Odysseus a Hero

  • Categories: Odysseus The Odyssey

About this sample

close

Words: 1363 |

Published: Dec 16, 2021

Words: 1363 | Pages: 3 | 7 min read

Image of Dr. Charlotte Jacobson

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

author

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Literature

writer

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 554 words

2 pages / 822 words

2 pages / 1112 words

8.5 pages / 3908 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Odysseus

Odysseus exemplifies adventure, courage, and the values of the Greeks, is Odysseus a hero? This essay proves that an epic hero is not only a personification of that culture but also the best version of that culture. The Odyssey [...]

Odysseus, the legendary Greek hero of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, is often hailed as an exemplary leader. Throughout his arduous journey home from the Trojan War, Odysseus demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities that [...]

Harper Lee's acclaimed novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" has captivated readers for decades with its portrayal of racial injustice and moral dilemmas in the Deep South during the 1930s. One of the most enigmatic characters in the [...]

In today's world, the analysis of epic heroes remains a significant and relevant topic of study, as it offers insights into the values, morals, and ideals upheld by societies throughout history. One of the most famous epic [...]

The ancient hero, often being assumed to be a beacon of perfection and civilization among the hordes of barbarians, is considered by modern standards to be less perfect, but more realistic. In the epic poem The Odyssey by [...]

Throughout history, leaders have emerged who have left a lasting impact on their societies, both positive and negative. One such leader is Odysseus, the renowned hero of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. While Odysseus is often [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

  • Instructions Followed To The Letter
  • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
  • Unique And Plagiarism Free

how is odysseus a hero essay

Why is Odysseus not a hero?

Odysseus, who is the main character of the book “The Odyssey” written by Homer, would fit the dictionary’s definition of a hero. Odysseus is a Greek warrior who is well known for his intelligence and strong character. However, Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense. Odysseus acted out of self-interest when he easily left his men behind to die on Calypso’s island without any remorse or guilt. Odysseus also constantly made decisions based upon what was best for Odysseus’s own life and that of his family without considering how it would affect others around him, such as his men.

Odysseus constantly lied throughout the course of the book to achieve what was best for himself at the time which contrasts with traditional heroes who are honest to a fault. Odysseus’s wife Penelope was the only person Odysseus trusted fully throughout their marriage, Odysseus constantly lied to her. Odysseus also never considered the feelings of his men by leaving them behind on Calypso’s island which contrasted with traditional heroes who are loyal to a fault. Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because he does not have morals or values that contrast with Homer’s “The Odyssey.”

Odysseus does not have morals since Odysseus leaves his men to die on Calypso’s island without feeling any guilt or remorse, Odysseus lies constantly to achieve what is best for Odysseus, Odysseus has no loyalty to anyone except Penelope. Odysseus also leaves every situation at the first sign of danger even if it means leaving someone behind who needs help such as when Odysseus left Polyphemus and his men behind after Odysseus blinding Polyphemus because he knew that if he waited until morning then Polyphemus would kill him and all of Odysseus’s men.

Why Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have the traditional Greek values of bravery, loyalty, and honesty. Odysseus’s intelligence is his only admirable trait in “The Odyssey.” Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because he does not have any traditional Greek values which define a hero. Odysseus is a liar and Odysseus leaves everyone behind at the first sign of danger which Odysseus does not have any loyalty to anyone, Odysseus also has no morals since Odysseus leaves his men on Calypso’s island without feeling any guilt or remorse. Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have any Greek heroic values which define a hero.

A true hero shows bravery when rescuing someone from harm such as when Achilles rescued Briseis from Agamemnon’s hands after he stole her from Achilles even though he knew that if he did this then Agamemnon would steal Achilles’s war prize Chryses ‘ daughter whom Agamemnon did steal and was angered at his actions. Odysseus never did any brave acts in Homer’s “The Odyssey,” Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have Greek heroic values which define a hero.

Odysseus also shows loyalty to Odysseus’s wife Penelope such as when Odysseus leaves every situation at the first sign of danger including leaving behind someone who needs help such as when Odysseus left Polyphemus and his men behind after Odysseus blinding Polyphemus because he knew that if he waited until morning then Polyphemus would kill him and all of Odysseus’s men.

Odysseus definitely does not have this because he kills people without any kind of remorse or guilt such as Odysseus’s father Laertes whom Odysseus kills with a poison arrow because Odysseus is angry at his father for not revealing Odysseus’ secrets which Odysseus had asked him not to. Odysseus also killed all of Penelope’s suitors whom Penelope rejected without any hesitation and after they were warned not to lay a hand on Odysseus ever again.

Odysseus does show this since Odysseus left Polyphemus behind when he knew that if he waited until morning then Polyphemus would kill him and all of Odysseus’ men. Odysseus’ intelligence is his only admirable trait in “The Odyssey.” Odysseus is not a hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have Greek heroic values which define a hero. Odysseus is not a true hero because Odysseus never showed any bravery, Odysseus never showed any loyalty to Odysseus’s wife Penelope, and Odysseus also killed people without any kind of remorse or guilt. Odysseus is definitely not a true hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have any Greek heroic values which define a true hero.

Odysseus is an interesting character in Greek mythology, but he is not a hero in the traditional sense. Odysseus lacks the traditional Greek values of bravery, loyalty, and honesty, which define a hero. Odysseus is intelligent, but his lack of morals and cowardice make him an unworthy hero. Odysseus is not a true hero in the traditional sense, and he does not have any Greek heroic values which define a true hero. Odysseus is an interesting character in Greek mythology, but he is not a hero in the traditional sense because he does not have any of the traditional Greek values which define a hero.

Odysseus is intelligent, but his lack of morals and cowardice make him an unworthy hero. Odysseus is definitely not a true hero in the traditional sense because Odysseus does not have any of the Greek heroic values which define a true hero. Odysseus is an interesting character in Greek mythology, he falls short of being called a hero in the traditional sense since Odysseus does not have any of the Greek heroic values which define a true hero.

Odysseus is interesting, Odysseus might prove himself worthy to be called Odysseus is Odysseus in Homer’s “The Odyssey,” but he certainly cannot be called Odysseus is a hero in the traditional sense. Odysseus’ intelligence is his only admirable trait, Odysseus definitely lacks morals and Odysseus never showed bravery which is all traits highly attributed to heroes. Odyssey, but he certainly cannot be called Odysseus intelligence is his only admirable trait, Odysseus intelligence is his only admirable trait in “The Odyssey.”

More Essays

  • Essay on Character Analysis Of Odysseus In The Odyssey By Homer
  • The Odyssey, the hero Odysseus
  • Character Analysis Of Odysseus In Homer’s Odyssey ‘ Essay
  • Odysseus and Medea
  • Odysseus & Aeneas
  • The Odyssey by Homer
  • Eminem As A Hero Essay
  • Leopold Bloom anti-hero
  • Odyssey and Woman Treatment
  • Essay about The Role Of Death In The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

how is odysseus a hero essay

IMAGES

  1. Odysseus as a Hero in 'The Odyssey' Free Essay Example

    how is odysseus a hero essay

  2. Why Odysseus is a Good Hero

    how is odysseus a hero essay

  3. Odysseus and The 12 Stages of a Hero's Journey Free Essay Example

    how is odysseus a hero essay

  4. Odysseus As An Epic Hero Analysis Essay Example

    how is odysseus a hero essay

  5. Is Odysseus a Hero?

    how is odysseus a hero essay

  6. ≫ Odysseus is an Epic Hero Free Essay Sample on Samploon.com

    how is odysseus a hero essay

VIDEO

  1. Essay on Your favourite National Hero

  2. Odysseus Meaning

  3. My mother My Hero Essay/Paragraph writing || 10/20 lines on my mother

  4. Odysseus's Return: An Epic Journey of a Hero #history #historyoftheworld #odysseus #hero

  5. The Odyssey of Odysseus: A Mythical Heroes Quests Adventure

  6. 如何整估你的好朋友?沖涼篇 (TIm反擊/惡作劇/from Hong Kong/整蠱)

COMMENTS

  1. Odysseus Character Analysis in The Odyssey

    Odysseus has the defining character traits of a Homeric leader: strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, and confidence in his authority. His most distinguishing trait, however, is his sharp intellect. Odysseus's quick thinking helps him out of some very tough situations, as when he escapes from the cave of the Cyclops in Book 9, or ...

  2. Odysseus

    Odysseus is a combination of the self-made, self-assured man and the embodiment of the standards and mores of his culture. He is favored by the gods and respected and admired by the mortals. Even the wrath of Poseidon does not keep him from his homecoming. He is confident that he represents virtue even when a modern audience might not be so sure.

  3. Heroism in the Odyssey: Through the Epic Hero Odysseus

    The All-time Epic Hero. The Odyssey is a hero essay for Odysseus. One could never imagine the extent of his struggles as he is being kept separated from his loved ones after joining a war he didn't want to fight. As he was traveling towards his home, Ithaca, he faced many circumstances that brought out his very nature as a human being.

  4. Odysseus, A Greek Hero

    A hero is of mixed or divine birth: Odysseus's genealogy is unclear, but hints in The Odyssey and The Iliad say that Odysseus is the great-grandson of Hermes, the messenger of the gods, and Aeolus ...

  5. Is Odysseus in the Odyssey a hero? Why or why not?

    This act of bravery on Odysseus' part exemplifies the immense courage one normally associates with a hero. Odysseus is most certainly a hero. Remember that the true meaning of the term in a ...

  6. Odysseus Heros Journey Analysis: [Essay Example], 1052 words

    Odysseus Heros Journey Analysis. The hero's journey is a classic storytelling framework that has been used for centuries to outline the trials and tribulations of a protagonist as they embark on a transformative quest. One of the most famous examples of the hero's journey can be found in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, which tells the ...

  7. Odysseus Is a Hero: [Essay Example], 614 words GradesFixer

    Heroes have played a crucial role in literature, folklore, and mythology. They are typically portrayed as individuals with exceptional bravery, strength, and intelligence who overcome great challenges and adversaries. One such hero is Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. Odysseus possesses all the defining traits of a ...

  8. How Odysseus Proves to Be a Hero in The Odyssey

    Prompt Examples for "The Odysseus" Essay. Epic Heroic Qualities: Analyze the epic hero qualities exhibited by Odysseus in "The Odyssey," discussing traits such as courage, intelligence, leadership, and resilience. Heroic Journey: Examine Odysseus's hero's journey throughout the epic, and discuss the challenges he faces, his growth as a character, and the lessons he learns along the way.

  9. Odysseus as a Hero in 'The Odyssey' Free Essay Example

    Essay, Pages 8 (1965 words) Views. 634. A hero is a character who is especially virtuous, usually larger than life. The character Odysseus in the text of The Odyssey is considered heroic. The act of being considered a hero goes beyond that something is required but exceed when people are in need the most. Also, a significant benefit would know ...

  10. Odysseus: A True Hero

    Odysseus' tale, therefore, is more than just a mythic narrative; it is a timeless epic about the journey of life, the battles we fight, the wisdom we gain, and the heroes we become along the way. Odysseus' legacy as an epic hero continues to influence modern storytelling and remains a potent symbol of the heroic ideals of wisdom and endurance.

  11. Essay about Odysseus as a Hero in 'The Odyssey'

    A hero is a leader, a savior, who has the respect but also the hatred of many. At times, heroes are faced with decisions that not everyone can handle or support, but a true hero knows the difference between right and wrong. Heroes are ultimately good and choose righteousness. Even though Odysseus can be extremely arrogant, it is what seems to ...

  12. Odysseus Is A Hero Argumentative Essay

    Odysseus is a hero. Intelligence, one of the many things some struggle to present appears to come easily to Odysseus, as on page 569, "My name is Nohbdy: mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nohbdy.". Here, we see Odysseus and his intelligence deceive the Cyclops, in doing so, they manage an escape from the horrible beast, Polyphemus.

  13. The Odyssey: Central Idea Essay: What Makes Odysseus ...

    In the proem of Book 1, Homer describes Odysseus as "the man of twists and turns," an epithet that sets our expectations of the protagonist for the rest of the poem. As "the man of twists and turns," Odysseus's shape-shifting allows him to escape death multiple times, but it also defines his identity as a cunning trickster and a ...

  14. Odysseus: A True Hero Essay

    Odysseus is an epic hero, he is a natural leader and at some points in the book smarter than everyone else. After stabbing the cyclopes in the eye and the cyclopes moving the boulder Odysseus had to think of a way to get his men out safely and this quote shows his intelligence and leadership skills "I tied them silently together, twining cords of willow from the cyclops's bed; then slung a man ...

  15. Is Odysseus a Hero: Main Character of Homer's Epic Poem

    The Odyssey is a narrative poem that was sung by Homer. The Odyssey takes place after the fall of Troy in the Iliad. In Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, the character of Odysseus fits he part of an epic hero as demonstrated by his difficult trials, advanced cleverness, and superior strength.

  16. Odysseus Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

    An epic hero is an example of being a leader, sacrificing yourself for someone else, and having courage. In The Odyssey, Odysseus achieved all of his demands to be a hero throughout his journey. Odysseus is an example of an epic hero due to being a leader and being brave. Odysseus journey adds to the meaning of the work as a whole because it ...

  17. Name five reasons why Odysseus might not be considered a hero

    What are some reasons why Odysseus is or is not a hero? Odysseus is a classic Greek hero because he is high born, a strong fighter, and an intelligent trickster. Odysseus is the king of Ithaca ...

  18. Archetypes In The Odyssey

    The quote proves that Odysseus is a brave hero because no hero can face a cyclope who eats humans. On the other hand, Superman is also fit as a brave …show more content… In books 22 and 23 of the Odyssey. Odysseus was a strong hero because he was able to defeat all the suitors.

  19. Telemachus Loyalty In The Odyssey

    The protagonist is Odysseus, the guile hero and king of Ithaca. Just after his first son Telemachus was born, Odysseus is called to battle in the ten year long Trojan war. After the war, angry at his and his men's hubris in battle, the gods made the return journey last ten harsh years. ... The Odyssey Argumentative Essay The main character ...

  20. Odysseus Is An Epic Hero: [Essay Example], 666 words

    Odysseus is an Epic Hero. The epic hero has long been a figure of fascination and admiration, captivating audiences for centuries with their extraordinary feats and heroic qualities. Among these legendary figures stands Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey." Odysseus embodies the quintessential traits of an epic hero ...

  21. Is Odysseus a Hero?

    Essay Example: A hero, by definition, is a person who is is admired or idealized for having noble qualities. Anyone, no matter shape or size, can be a hero as long as they are selfless, noble, smart, and can think through situations to make the best possible decision. ... Odysseus is not a hero due to his two traits of arrogance and selfishness ...

  22. Odysseus Hero Essay

    Is Odysseus A Hero Essay. In book 22 of the Odyssey the question is, is Odysseus a hero? There weren't many heroic qualities in Odysseus. There is also a conflict of nature vs. reason within the book. For the essential theme within the Odyssey, we see some examples of reason and nature and the view that Homer took on each one of these topics.

  23. Why Odysseus is a Hero Essay

    Why Is Odysseus An Epic Hero. Odysseus is an epic hero for many reasons, but the main reasons why he qualifies for being an epic hero is because he fought for his life to save his shipmates. "He saw the townlands and learned the minds of many distant men, and weathered many bitter nights and days in his deep heart at sea while he fought only ...

  24. What Characteristics Make Odysseus a Hero

    This is said to be one of Odysseus's flaws as a hero. He tends to be arrogant and prideful throughout the beginning of his journey which results in a very long way home. Loyalty is also one of the most important qualities of a hero, including Odysseus. Odysseus stays loyal to his crew until every last one of them dies.

  25. Why is Odysseus not a hero? Essay

    Odysseus lacks the traditional Greek values of bravery, loyalty, and honesty, which define a hero. Odysseus is intelligent, but his lack of morals and cowardice make him an unworthy hero. Odysseus is not a true hero in the traditional sense, and he does not have any Greek heroic values which define a true hero. Odysseus is an interesting ...