Home — Essay Samples — Life — Bravery — Odysseus Is An Epic Hero

test_template

Odysseus is an Epic Hero

  • Categories: Bravery

About this sample

close

Words: 666 |

Published: Mar 19, 2024

Words: 666 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Bravery in the face of danger, remarkable intellect and cunning, encounters with divine forces, flaws and growth.

Image of Dr. Oliver Johnson

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. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Life

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

2 pages / 788 words

2 pages / 1030 words

2 pages / 1033 words

6 pages / 2722 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 Bravery

Bravery comes in many forms, and it often emerges from the most unexpected places. In the world of literature, film, and real-life stories, we encounter countless examples of individuals who embody courage and resilience. In [...]

Thomas, Angie. The Hate U Give. Balzer + Bray, 2017.

What does it truly mean to be brave? Is it an act of physical courage in the face of danger, or is it a mental fortitude that allows one to confront their fears and uncertainties? The concept of bravery is multifaceted and often [...]

In conclusion, bravery encompasses more than just acts of heroism in the face of danger. It extends to acts of vulnerability, taking risks, and pursuing personal growth. By expanding our understanding of bravery, we can [...]

Character Analysis: Analyze the characters in the novel who exhibit courage and bravery, and discuss how their actions and decisions reflect these qualities. Theme Exploration: Explore the theme of [...]

What comes to mind when you hear the word, ‘hero’? Now, when most people hear that word, a variety of different images and concepts come to mind. Superman, Optimus Prime, Wolverine; the list goes on. What if I told you there are [...]

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

why is odysseus an epic hero essay

How Is Odysseus An Epic Hero

Odysseus is the perfect example of an epic hero. He embodies all the qualities that are associated with this archetype, such as strength, courage, and wisdom. Odysseus’ journey home from Troy is one of the most famous stories in all of literature, and he is one of the most well-known characters in Greek mythology.

The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus’ long journey back to his homeland of Ithaca. After enduring many challenges and obstacles, Odysseus finally arrives home after 20 years away. During his journey, Odysseus demonstrates all the qualities of a heroic figure. He is brave in the face of danger, resourceful in times of need, and displays great strength and determination. Odysseus is also a very wise leader, able to make sound decisions in difficult situations.

Odysseus’ journey home is a classic example of an epic hero’s journey. He overcomes tremendous odds to reach his goal, and in doing so, becomes a true legend. Odysseus is an excellent example of an epic hero, and his story continues to inspire readers to this day.

The central hero of an epic, a lengthy poem about the deeds of gods or heroes, is known as an epic hero. He has qualities that exceed those of most humans, yet he is recognizable as such. These heroes have a tragic flaw. This distinguishes them from gods who are flawless.

In The Odyssey, an epic attributed to Homer, Odysseus is the protagonist. Hubris is his tragic flaw; it occurs on rare occasions when he displays excessive and overbearing pride. Odysseus is regarded a hero because he possesses exceptional skills in combat and leadership.

He is also a man of his word. Odysseus’ journey home from the Trojan War took ten years. During that time he faced many challenges, including the wrath of Poseidon, god of the sea. Odysseus is a heroic figure because he overcomes these challenges, and returned home to his family safe and sound. Odysseus is an epic hero. He possesses qualities superior to those of most men, yet remains recognizably human. Odysseus is a hero because of his skills as a warrior and his wisdom as a leader. He is also a man of his word.

The three encounters that Odysseus had in The Odyssey display his better qualities. His bravery is demonstrated by the encounters with the Lotus-Eaters, the Cyclops, and Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus’ genius is manifest in his ships arrival on the coast of the Lotus-Eaters.

Rather than releasing his entire crew to explore this intriguing region, Odysseus only permitted two selected men and a runner to discover who lived there after some time. After spending some time there, none of them wanted to return to the ship or tell anyone about it.

Odysseus went to retrieve them himself and found that the Lotus-Eaters had offered his men the fruit of the Lotus plant, which caused anyone who ate it to become forgetful of their home. Odysseus had to drag his men back to the ship, kicking and screaming, in order to save them from a life without purpose. The Cyclops is another being whom Odysseus has an encounter with on his journey home.

Odysseus and his men find themselves trapped inside the cave of Polyphemus, a monstrous one-eyed giant. Odysseus comes up with a plan that will allow him and his remaining men to escape the cave unharmed. He gives Polyphemus wine until he passes out and then Odysseus gouges out his eye with a sharpened piece of olive wood. The next morning, as the Cyclops lets his flock of sheep out to graze, he calls for help from the other Cyclopes on the island.

They ask him what is wrong and he replies that “No one” has hurt him. Odysseus and his men then tie themselves to the underside of the sheep and when the Cyclopes feel around for intruders, they only find the smooth backs of the animals. This plan allows Odysseus and his men to escape and sail away safely. The final event that takes place is when Odysseus must choose between Scylla and Charybdis.

Scylla is a six-headed sea monster and Charybdis is a whirlpool that Odysseus and his men must pass in order to get to Ithaca. Odysseus chooses to navigate the ship closer to Scylla so that he and his men can avoid being sucked into the Charybdis. This decision costs him six of his sailors, but it allows the rest of his crew to make it safely home. Odysseus’s heroic traits are shown during all of these encounters and help him to make it home to Ithaca.

The encounter with Scylla and Charybdis was Odysseus’ most difficult moment up to that point. Scylla was a gray rock sea monster with six heads, and Charybdis was an enormous and harmful whirlpool.

Unfortunately, to reach the destination they had to call at, they were compelled to sail straight through these two extreme risks. Odysseus found himself in a huge scenario. Should he go near Scylla or Charybdis? He determined to approach Scylla, demonstrating how he might make important judgments while under great stress supplied.

Odysseus’ encounter with the Sirens is another example of his quick thinking. Odysseus and his men heard the enchanting singing of the Sirens, but Odysseus had been forewarned by Circe and knew that if they sailed too close, they would be lured to their doom.

Odysseus ordered his men to plug their ears with beeswax so they would not be able to hear the Sirens, and then he had them bind him to the mast of the ship so he could not jump overboard to his death. Odysseus’ cleverness was again shown when he told his men that he wanted them to untie him when he got back to Ithaca. Odysseus was then able to listen to the singing of the Sirens without being harmed.

Odysseus’ intelligence and strength were also shown when he defeated the Cyclops. The Cyclops was a one-eyed giant who lived on an island that Odysseus and his men had to visit. Odysseus and his men were trapped in the cave of the Cyclops because a storm had blown their boat away from the island. Odysseus came up with a plan to defeat the Cyclops.

He gave each of his men a large stick, and he told them to pretend that they were paralyzed. Odysseus then put on a cloak that made him invisible and he went into the cave. The Cyclops was angry that Odysseus and his men were in his cave, so he started to eat them. Odysseus and his men then stabbed the Cyclops in the eye with their sticks and escaped from the cave.

Odysseus’s intelligence and strength were also evident when he killed all of the suitors who were trying to marry Penelope, Odysseus’ wife. Odysseus had been gone for twenty years, and during that time, Penelope had been besieged by suitors who wanted to marry her. Penelope did not want to marry any of them, but she could not get rid of them.

More Essays

  • Is Odysseus An Epic Hero Essay
  • The Odyssey by Homer
  • Essay on Character Analysis Of Odysseus In The Odyssey By Homer
  • Hospitality In The Odyssey
  • Odysseus vs Achilles
  • The Odyssey, the hero Odysseus
  • Why is Odysseus not a hero?
  • Character Analysis Of Odysseus In Homer’s Odyssey ‘ Essay
  • Odysseus vs Gilgamesh
  • Is Beowulf An Epic Hero

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

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

IMAGES

  1. Odysseus As An Epic Hero Analysis Essay Example

    why is odysseus an epic hero essay

  2. Write a paragraph that evaluates Odysseus’s qualifications as an epic

    why is odysseus an epic hero essay

  3. Why Odysseus is a Good Hero

    why is odysseus an epic hero essay

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

    why is odysseus an epic hero essay

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

    why is odysseus an epic hero essay

  6. Odysseus As An Epic Hero Thesis Essay Example

    why is odysseus an epic hero essay

VIDEO

  1. A man who extremely shocked Zeus

  2. Modern Odysseus: A Hero's Journey

  3. The Odyssey of Odysseus: A Journey Home Part 2 I Mythology Shorts

  4. The Odyssey of Odysseus: A Journey Home Part 1 I Mythology Shorts

  5. Why Odysseus was lost at sea #literature #psychology #books #homer

  6. Unveiling Odysseus: Epic Tales of Conquering Gods and Monsters

COMMENTS

  1. 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 ...

  2. Odysseus Epic Reveal: Heroism in the Odyssey

    One of the indelible marks of an epic is the heroes it celebrates. The Odyssey highlighted the heroic pursuits of Odysseus, who, because of his gumption and bravery and with a little help from gods and goddesses, surmounted the grueling and demanding tasks he needed to accomplish. Heroism in the Odyssey was shown in the following: Odysseus ...

  3. 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 ...

  4. Odysseus, A Greek Hero

    Odysseus Writing Activity Essay Activity. In this lesson, you learned about all of the characteristics of an epic hero (They are of noble birth or elevated status, have superhuman capabilities ...

  5. Odysseus as a Homeric Epic Hero

    An epic hero is also known for his love of glory through deeds. In the first few lines of The Odyssey, Odysseus calls himself, "formidable for guile in peace and war". Not only does Odysseus's wittiness bring about peace, it also brings and starts wars. An example of Odysseus's guile bringing war is when he finally shows his true self to the ...

  6. 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 ...

  7. Odysseus Is A Hero Essay

    Odysseus Is A Hero Essay. 519 Words3 Pages. Battles, Giants, Monsters, Gods, and Goddesses. Odysseus, the great hero from the epic poem The Odyssey, by Robert Fagles, is a cunning man who faces many challenges and foes on his journey home to Ithaca. However, he makes many grave mistakes, learning how to balance pride, impatience, and ...

  8. Why Is Odysseus An Archetype?

    Odysseus the Hero. Odysseus fits the epic Hero mold almost seamlessly. A Hero is defined as having some trait that makes them unique or special. Most commonly, this trait is conveyed by being royalty or having royal bloodlines. It can also be possessing a unique or special ability, or even unusual courage or cleverness.

  9. Using characteristics from 'The Cyclops', how does Odysseus exemplify

    When Odysseus first met the Cyclops, he was the epitome of an epic hero. He politely followed the Laws of Hospitality (i.e. brought wine as an offering), and answers the questions of his host.

  10. Odysseus As An Epic Hero Thesis Essay Example

    An epic hero would need all these examples of cunning to survive and lead his men. To become an epic hero, it would help if he had physical strength, accuracy, and impressive looks. Odysseus shows he has strength when he "so effortlessly / … in one motion strung the bow" (1190-91). Odysseus could only string the bow.

  11. Why Is Odysseus An Epic Hero

    Open Document. 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 to save his life ...

  12. Why Is Odysseus An Epic Hero

    In the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus, the king of Ithaca goes upon a journey, and encounters danger and challenges that prevents him from going back to Ithaca, which is his goal. And during the journey, he begins to become an epic hero. Odysseus fits the description of an epic hero because he had cleverness, exceptional knowledge, and supernatural ...

  13. Why Is Odysseus A Greek Epic Hero Free Essay Example

    Why Is Odysseus A Greek Epic Hero. "A hero is someone who, despite weakness, doubt or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway". In the story "The Odyssey" Odysseus goes through his journey and faces many tough challenges although he handles it like a god even though he is a mortal. Include he was in the trojan ...

  14. Why Odysseus Is A Hero: History Of Feats Free Essay Example

    "The Odyssey" is an epic about the king of Ithaca, Odysseus. Odysseus is forced from his homeland to participate in the Trojan War, and the rest of the epic is about his way back home. Throughout the epic, Odysseus is met with many parts of the Hero's Journey. His Hero's Journey has shaped him into the epic hero that he currently is.

  15. Essay On Odysseus Is An Epic Hero

    Essay On Odysseus Is An Epic Hero. 726 Words3 Pages. If you were to think about a man with great abilities like being strong, courageous and intelligent, you could think of people you personally or like me, you could think of someone such as Odysseus. Odysseus fits the definition of an epic hero because he is quick thinking, strong and courageous.

  16. Odysseus Epic Hero Analysis

    Odysseus Epic Hero Analysis. "The Odyssey" is an epic poem that consists of 24 books and is told by the creator, Homer, during the ancient Greek times. All epic poems contain an epic hero, this classifies a specific person as the protagonist of the story that goes above the readers expectations. Odysseus is an epic hero because of his ...

  17. How Is Odysseus An Epic Hero Essay

    Odysseus is a hero because of his skills as a warrior and his wisdom as a leader. He is also a man of his word. The three encounters that Odysseus had in The Odyssey display his better qualities. His bravery is demonstrated by the encounters with the Lotus-Eaters, the Cyclops, and Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus' genius is manifest in his ...

  18. Why Odysseus Takes On The Role Of An Epic Hero

    Open Document. Prompt: In the Odyssey, Odysseus's character takes on the role of the epic hero. Over the course of his hero's journey, he is faced with many life-altering decisions. Some would argue that Odysseus makes decisions as a courageous leader for the good of his people, while others would argue that his decisions were made as a ...

  19. Why Is Odysseus an Epic Hero?

    This makes Odysseus an epic hero. In a middle of things, Odysseus is a "pleasure" slave of a goddess temptress, Calypso. She wants Odysseus because he is handsome, strong and clever, all of the characteristics of a hero. In the text, the god messenger, Hermes, gives Calypso a letter from Zeus to have Odysseus freed.

  20. Why Is Odysseus An Epic Hero?

    Odysseus is an epic hero because he cares about his family, he is intelligent and he shows courage and because he shows determination. There was one obstacle where they fell into a cyclone and were stuck there Odysseus managed to get through it. Odysseus would be an example of a epic hero because he cares about his family.

  21. Why Is Odysseus An Epic Hero

    Check Writing Quality. 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 to save ...

  22. The Proofs Of Odysseus As An Epic Hero

    Cite This Essay. Download. Odysseus is an epic hero because he carries the traits that a hero is known for. He is brave, strong, and a great leader of men. He is known to be a speaker that can motivate his men to follow him through any kind of situation without question. He has a caring for the men he leads which creates a sense of selflessness.