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. Some historians have argued for years that he is a noble hero, and others say he is just a man trying to get home from many hardship and challenges, however Odysseus is the definition of a hero. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as Calypsos captive for a time. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. 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. He then spends the majority of the epic poem sitting in his tent while the war rages on and the Greeks begin to lose without him. He is not a selfish hero: instead, his drive is to his people and to found a new city that will eventually become Rome. He has no regard for anyones feelings but his own, and he believes nothing and no one can harm him, not even the gods. Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns. This shows that he is selfish because he doesn't care about the nurse. Odysseus represents what being a hero is actually all about. He even risks his own soul for them. During his journey back home to Ithaca, Odysseus commited adultery twice. WebODYSSEUS AS A HERO Homer's Odyssey is one of the greatest of the world's hero tales. Homer remains one of the most well-read texts even today. WebOdysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. 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. Homer is describing the crew lashing Odysseus to the mast so that he may hear the sirens sing. A good example of a modern hero would be the First Lady, Michelle Obama. This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. 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. They can do many small acts of heroism and never become acknowledged as a hero, yet when they do something horrendous they are labeled as a villain. 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. Odysseus is also a master tactician whose complex plans save his crew and help him regain his crown. His motivations are not due to his own honour or to take revenge, but for the greater good of the world itself. A hero consists of anyone who puts their best selves forward in service to humanity. He does not have any supernatural abilities unlike Achilles who is the son of a goddess and so has superhuman strength and speed. Odysseus is hard to classify because of his contradicting traits. In Homer's Odyssey Odysseus is a character who, sometimes behaves like a proper hero and also as a very self-centered character at other points. One example of this would be when he tells Polyphemus that his name is Nobody. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. When a leader mistakes his selfish decisions as heroic it can place him and the people around him in danger. He may as well be on Americas most wanted list with all the trouble he was causing. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not humble or good at accepting the help that he received, and he also acted before synthesizing the consequences that he would face in the future. Odysseus might think he was performing a heroic action but in actuality he was performing an act of selfishness. Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. Odysseus, during his quest, is forced to venture through a merciless Cyclops, angered Gods, deeply obstinate Goddesses, the underworld, and determined suitors that are after his wife Penelope. Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. Odysseus cheats on his wife more than once; it was not a simple lapse in judgment. She was one of the only goddesses on his side. Heroism is a concept that changes over time as society changes, and the values that each society upholds determines who they view as a hero. In the age of postmodernism, there are instances where a person can be both a hero and a villain. The mighty Odysseus is many, many things but he is no hero in my eyes. Odysseus had many affairs and was disloyal to his wife, slaughtered hundreds of people in the name of righteousness, and above all, exemplifies hubris, or arrogant pride. He proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. Also this shows that he is mean because he yelled at the nurse to not tell anyone who he really is. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? He not only slays all of the suitors but also the slave girls who slept with them, an act of violence that is morally abhorrent by modern standards. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. Don't waste your time on revenge. In addition to saving lives a hero should be humble, Odysseus does not fit that description, his hubris is as big as the moon. War itself may also be considered an antagonist in the poem war is what separated Odysseus from his home, and he spends much of the poem battling the traumas he and his men suffered in the Trojan War. For instance, Odysseus says that Circes luxuries appealed to his and his mens battle-hardened spirits. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is an archetypal hero. WebOdysseus is Not a Hero for the Modern Age Essay. He makes another smart decision in choosing to go through Skylla instead of Kharybdis because only six of his crew members die instead of the whole crew. Odysseus has a large and gallant reputation to fulfil, but when he first makes an appearance in the book he is crying on Calypsos island. A hero to me is supposed to save lives. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Evidence proves that. 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. Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca and protagonist of Homers epic poem the Odyssey was recognized as a great hero of his time. 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 also used these qualities to aid and strived to prevent oodles of his men from dying throughout the Odyssey, which establishes Odysseus to be viewed as a modern day hero., Lizeth Marin Honors Introduction to Literature Period 3 18 April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? He cares more about honor than the safety of his crew. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Odysseus said, comrades riven in agony/ shrieking out my name // angler poised on a jutting rock // gasping out their lives. With the help of the gods he can survive things most men couldnt., I think Odysseus fits the title of a hero very well. 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. The first archetype this essay will be explaining, Ancient Greek civilizations and their morals. Well in the story of The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a lot of honorable characteristics, but he also has a few immoral characteristics. Hes also a very famous archetype for The Hero. Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. Instead, Odysseus only hurts him. Superman, for example, is considered a hero because despite not having any personal stakes in Earth as he is a superpowered alien he consistently tries to save the world and the people living in it. He believes he is always right and will do what he thinks is right, like a villain. Being loyal, clever, and dedicated are examples of being a heroic person. One strong archetype in the Odyssey is the hero archetype. 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. WebOdysseus should not be considered a hero because he portrays himself as a selfish man that failed his crew, and is controlled by his hubris. He rushed to save his men for honor. 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 . He showed no mercy towards them and killed all the suitors. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. 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. 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 When trapped on Calypsos island he shows no attempt to escape and instead finds pleasure in being their. ro \hir- ()\ Noun a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic Now, is Odysseus a villain? In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, the main character Odysseus is a valiant king who embarks on a life-changing voyage. Although there has been some evidence that points to Odysseus not being a hero, this essay will give three reasons why Odysseus should be respected as a hero. During his quest to return home, he encounters many supernatural forces that show both his heroic, and not so heroic actions. Humans make mistakes, and seeing Odysseus failures humanizes him and makes him more realistic. WebOdysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology, king of the island of Ithaca and the main protagonist of Homer's epic, the Odyssey.. The goddess of war, Athena, told Odysseus what he should do to save them and helped him get home. The Iliad contains a multitude of these heroes, since the focus of the action is on the Trojan War and various characters stories within this narrative. Kirke tells Odysseus not to fight Scylla, yet he chooses to anyway. Odysseus has these qualities and more. 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. WebOdysseus is a villain because he is stubborn in Polyphemuss cave, disrespectful to the gods, and is unfaithful to his wife. Would Achilles be judged as a hero in modern times? Odysseuss first situation was with Kalypso. There is many thing that can support this claim. 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. Then Odysseus threatened her. The son of Laertes and Anticlea, Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. Odysseus is in between. Odysseus is difficult to identify as a hero because of his many vices. Odysseus is sailing away from Cyclops Island and he is teasing Polyphemus about escaping. Odysseus is a good hero because he is rational when times get tough. The gods punished him by stranding him at sea for more than ten years without being able to go home. I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. He also deeply cares about the welfare of his men on their return trip to Ithaka. 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 should not be considered a hero because he portrays himself as a selfish man that failed his crew, and is controlled by his hubris. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. Because it contains so many and such striking adventures, some have called it an Like most epic heroes, Odysseus has been mostly harmed by the gods. When Odysseus receives advice, even if it is helpful he tends to ignore it. He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. Odysseus All depictions in Ancient Greece and Rome were truly to better enhance the world's view of the artistic human form. He was a villain and there is no doubt about it. However he had respect for the gods (Athene), a strong sense of duty, (will always go back for his men) showed great honour and was highly regarded by his men and peers. The Greeks valued strength in battle, brutality, and vengeance as ideals that a hero should uphold. The first heroic thing he has done is go fight in a war with the trojans. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered the hero of the story. 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. She came up with a ruse so she could stall having to remarry: Ruses served my turnwith honor. 48. If Odysseus took the cheese and left, his men would not have had to dealt with Polyphemus. People describe them as brave, daring, and trustworthy. The general picture that comes to mind when the word hero is said is the idea of Superman or Wonder Woman; however, a true hero is anyone who tries to make their world a better place. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. Although she did not help during his travels, Athena assisted Odysseus in his battle against the suitors in his kingdom. Archetypes are characters or character traits that is created and recreated all throughout literature. 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. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? The most heroic attribute of Odysseus was that he was smart. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. This allows readers to truly see Odysseus other side. Towards the begging of the story Odysseus and his men get trapped in a cave by a Cyclopes The Cyclops is eating his men so Odysseus decides he must kill the Cyclops in order to save the remainder of his men. WebThe Hero The constant strife for self-satisfaction Is often taxing. Odysseus feels he is always the leader and no one can tell him otherwise. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. The book The Odyssey written by Homer reveals a story of a true hero. In "The Odyssey," written by Homer is an epic poem about a man named Odysseus and his crewmates competing against the power of the gods to return to their homeland, Ithaca. Evidence proves that, Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. 13181950) Selwood, Fleet, GU51 4QT. In The Odyssey, Odysseus along with his men try to go back home to Ithaca but due to Odysseus nature, only he actually returns alive. In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. 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. During his long and perilous journey home Odysseus shows many heroic qualities that help save his men from many dangerous situations. Odysseus is another prominent example of a Homeric hero. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. Need a custom essay on the same Well, the definition of a hero is : a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities., What is an epic hero? 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. These traits and behaviors are not acceptable for anyone, especially a person considered to be and hailed as a hero. He does not have any supernatural abilities unlike Achilles who is the son of a goddess and so has superhuman strength and speed. If a hero is viewed as a villain, A similar path is followed, Accompanied by a deception. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? Well drive the kids and lambs aboard. Although Circe told Odysseus to steer clear of the area, Odysseus wanted to be known as the man who survived a Sirens song. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men A hero takes many forms, such as an allegorical hero, a tragic hero, or an epic hero. (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. WebOdysseus is an epic hero because he cares about his family, he is intelligent and he shows courage and because he shows determination. 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. 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 hero's journey is about self-discovery and self-development. Although he is brave and sometimes smart, so is a villain. Art has always tried to mirror life but in the ever yet similarly famous tale Odyessus by Homer there is no question as to this myth's life mirroring image. 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. 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 .
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