Homer said, But Odysseus shot his right hand out, clutching the nurses throat. 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. WebOdysseus, Hero or Villain? He is confident and cunning,, Having superb and honorable characteristics establishes one a hero. Although Odysseus does cheat on Penelope with Kalypso, he still remains loyal, and his love for her hardly wanes. Humans make mistakes, and seeing Odysseus failures humanizes him and makes him more realistic. But although Odysseus makes the. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. There is a lot of reasonings to both sides, he could be a hero because he was loyal to his homeland and men. From Villain to Hero Six of his crew members do perish but through his hard work and dedication he survives. The crew tries to get Odysseus to be quiet, but his ego gets in the way, and he tells Polyphemus his name; leading to Polyphemus cursing him and his men to make the journey home slow and painful. However, once again, Odysseus motivations are ultimately selfish: the, Moving away from Homer, another hero of ancient epic is Aeneas from Virgils, Academus Education is an online learning platform providing free Classics Education to students through summer schools, articles and digital think tanks. is Odysseus Even though there is a large gap in space between Odysseus travels and the present, human nature and weakness still share the same obstacles. 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 In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is an archetypal hero. King of Megcenae on Twitter In addition, when the cyclops asks Odysseus for his name he responds. 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. On a website posted by teachers at Harker Heights High, an epic hero is someone who embodies the values of a particular society. In the epic poetry, The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus exhibits his arrogance, foolishness, and his lack of leadership in which it leads to him going home by himself. The son of Laertes and Anticlea, He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. 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. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. 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. 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. The Odyssey: Odysseus Quotes | SparkNotes Use tab to navigate through the menu items. WebOdysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. Odysseus doesnt resist Kalypsos charm and cheats on his wife Penelope. 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. One strong archetype in the Odyssey is the hero archetype. The opening line of The Odyssey introduces Odysseus by his epithet, the man of twists and turns.. There are many things that can prove otherwise. The Odyssey is the perfect story for examples of archetypes seeing as it has so many of them. Odysseus shows extremely inadequate leadership qualities throughout the story. The goddess of war, Athena, told Odysseus what he should do to save them and helped him get home. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. 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. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. He is not a selfish hero: instead, his drive is to his people and to found a new city that will eventually become Rome. Odysseus puts everything at risk in order to get his men home safely. 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. THE STUDY CLUB - JSTOR The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are usually uglier, more evil, and more cunning than anyone we know in ordinary life. The episode of the Sirens,(Book 12), is one example. He is consistently seen to display piety and is perhaps more closely aligned with our ideals of a modern hero in his selfless motivations, comparable to a superhero like Hawkeye whose duty to family trumps all. 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. Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. Human weaknesses can still prevail through even the strongest men you may think of; examples of this are shown in this epic. One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. Throughout the novel The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus continuously shows his personality of being an admirable hero to everyone by using strategy instead of strength. Throughout the Odyssey Odysseus faces an internal battle between loyalty and betrayal in the presence of numerous temptations. Odysseus had come up with a plan for his men during the war. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? Free Essay: Odysseus: Hero or Villain - 663 Words These events lead to him losing crew members and He is brave, but also conceited. When Odysseus is on the journey to Ithaka, he neglects to let his crew know how long they will be staying on each island. When trapped on Calypsos island he shows no attempt to escape and instead finds pleasure in being their. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. 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. Odysseus was not the hero, though. However, once again, Odysseus motivations are ultimately selfish: the Odyssey revolves around his homecoming and the lengths to which he will go to return home. I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. Odysseus said then, at last , I mounted circes gorgeous bed. (Homer 10.386). Although Circe told Odysseus to steer clear of the area, Odysseus wanted to be known as the man who survived a Sirens song. A hero consists of anyone who puts their best selves forward in service to humanity. These details show that Odysseus is not a hero because of his selfishness because in every one of these evidences he only thinks about himself. In a way, Odysseus is a hero with strength, wits, and cunning who dominates the largest beasts the planet has to offer. Odysseus, the protagonist of Homers The Odyssey, is not a good example of a modern hero. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? WebIn Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered the hero of the story. However, he has many traits that explain his clouded judgement. 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. Aeneas is closer to a modern hero, but he is still notably Roman in his motivations, which are removed from our own society. In the age of postmodernism, there are instances where a person can be both a hero and a villain. Homers Iliad and Odyssey are defining and seminal works that have an enduring legacy on literature, art, and society in both the modern and ancient world. Also this shows that he is mean because he yelled at the nurse to not tell anyone who he really is. 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. Odysseus is a hero because he returns home with a changed perspective which reflects his heroic abilities, such as his bravery and dedication to return home. The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. Odysseus is able to see who is loyal and who is not and take his revenge with the suitors never knowing who, Odysseus is also disloyal to his wife who stayed faithful to him despite the circumstances. This allows readers to truly see Odysseus other side. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. He knew he was a villain and somehow still got away with. In conclusion, Odysseus throughout his actions proves to be not only veil but a villain. 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. Even though they disobey him constantly, Odysseus is still loyal to them. Therefore, Odysseus is not a hero. He put himself before his men because he wanted a gift from the cave owner. 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. WebODYSSEUS A hero of the Trojan War, whose fleet was blown off course in a storm on his return. Odysseus of Ithaka. However, women who both loved and knew Odysseus than anyone, thought of him differently and knew him in depth. The protagonist is the primary actor. 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. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. Is Odysseus A Hero Or A Villain Analysis | ipl.org The superheroes we idealise today are heroes because of their selflessness and commitment to helping others rather than personal motivations. These heros helped anyone they saw in need, even if it put themselves in danger. Odysseus, the Cyclops, and Penelope are specific examples of archetypes in this epic poem. 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 leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. He proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. Odysseus was also very arrogant to think that he could get past the Sirens. Being loyal, clever, and dedicated are examples of being a heroic person. A hero is a figure undertaking a quest (Odysseus). Odysseus then has many hardships upon which he overcomes through his intelligence and wit. Odysseus portrays his selfishness right as the book begins and this shows how truly incompetent of an individual he is. For generations people have been correct to honor the great Odysseus, for his actions along his adventures. The mighty Odysseus is many, many things but he is no hero in my eyes. He is consistently referred to with the epithet a man of many ways (compared to the swift-footed Achilles), demonstrating that Odysseus heroism is due to mental rather than physical strength. However, three stories of his show specific archetype proficiently and repeatedly. When the men said Why not take these cheeses, Archetypes are characteristics or characters that can define a hero. Hero; Of course Odysseus. On the island of Cicones,and with his encounter with Polyphemus, Odysseus learned that bragging can bring great misfortune. Odysseus is not the epitome of an epic hero., Hero? Dont married people promise to be faithful, no matter what? In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered the hero of the story. Nobody wants a hero to lose so Homer gives him admirable traits so that readers find themselves rooting for him. What heroic qualities does Odysseus show? He tries desperately to return home to Ithaka and his wife, Penelope, and newborn son, Telemachus. The Odyssey. The Norton Anthology of World Literature: Shorter Second Edition. Despite all of the suitors, Penelope stays loyal to Odysseus. For example, when Odysseus and his men find themselves on Polyphemus's island, Odysseus's actions are self-centered and at the expense of his men. Odysseus was well known for being a hero. Also in The Odyssey, Odysseus makes careless decisions which lead them into trouble. Odysseus was a authentic persuasive speaker and genuinely intelligent. But Polyphemus shouted out to, Odysseus Defines an Epic Hero These traits and behaviors are not acceptable for anyone, especially a person considered to be and hailed as a hero. He was very competitive and tried to be better than anyone else and insured his name lived on forever. Odysseus is no hero, if anything, he is more of a villain. 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. Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns. He also leads his men into their own fates. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. Also this shows that he cheated on his wife Penelope, he also never told her about it. 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. During his quest to return home, he encounters many supernatural forces that show both his heroic, and not so heroic actions. For example, when Odysseus and his men approach the giant he offers him liquor to wash down your scraps of men (Homer 991). Everytime he enters a new island, he does not start telling everyone that he is Odysseus, king of Ithaca. Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. Kirke tells Odysseus not to fight Scylla, yet he chooses to anyway. First example is that he mounted Circes, a woman that helped Odysseus, bed. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. Odysseus Hero 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. Instead, he charms the people he meets and uses his wise words that cause them to help and pity him. The Anti-Hero Archetype The anti-hero is the hero archetype you need to know if you want to create a hit cable show. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. The rest of his crew that wasnt under Circes spell would have been lost if Odysseus died because they rely so heavily on him. He has the qualities of being a hero in some situations but also has flaws which make him seem less of a hero at times. 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. WebEvidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. He takes much conceited pride in This story is about his travels home and how he got caught up in other business. Odysseus has some good traits, some bad flaws, and has been in some ugly situations, but overall he is a true hero. Odysseus puts his men in danger due to hubris and stupidity. Odysseus fits the description of a hero because hes done a few things that are heroic. During Odysseuss journey it becomes evident that Odysseus is a hero like the legends say, he meets all the criterias of being a hero such as being brave, smart, fighting against evil, and protecting others from danger. This shows that he is selfish because he doesn't care about the nurse. Despite multiple pleas to return to fighting, he continually refuses until his companion Patroclus is killed by Hector. Academus CIC is a company registered England and Wales (Company No. Most of these mistakes could have been fixed by Odysseus making better decisions throughout his journey. Everyone thinks he is not a hero is he slept with circe there is a reason why that is not a strong reason that he is not a hero. The possession of the character trait, arrogance, does not help him in escaping, but rather puts him closer to danger. When Odysseus slaughters the Trojans, he starts to act like he was greater than any god. Odysseus might think he was performing a heroic action but in actuality he was performing an act of selfishness. Well in the story of The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a lot of honorable characteristics, but he also has a few immoral characteristics. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus is rational when dealing with many situations. A hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. 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. 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. 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 . Like most epic heroes, Odysseus has been mostly harmed by the gods. So at this point, Odysseus decided that kill the Cyclops will in turn be killing his men so instead he jabs a shark stake into the Cyclops only eye blinding the Cyclops and saving him and his men. Odysseus defies the suitors and wins his wife and kingdom back. Written about two thousand and seven hundred years earlier, the Odyssey is still influencing modern storytelling today. What a hero is a person that will give everything that they have to save another person from any harm. He wasn't thinking about his wife and son. Odysseus is not a hero because he lets his pride make most of his decisions, which gets him into difficult situations. 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. Another way in which Odysseus shows he is a villain is when he finally reunites with his wife. Homer is describing the crew lashing Odysseus to the mast so that he may hear the sirens sing. One of the motifs for which Homer has set the precedent is heroes: Homeric heroism is a concept that is widely discussed within scholarship. Achilles heroism stems from his excellence in battle and not necessarily his own personal virtues. He cares more about honor than the safety of his crew. He spends five long years on the Island of Calypso and another five with Circe. Another decision Odysseus makes to survive is not eating the cattle of Helios while on Thrinikia, his crew members choice in eating the hallowed cows results in their death, but Odysseus knew the consequences and did not touch a cow. His motivations are not due to his own honour or to take revenge, but for the greater good of the world itself. 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. 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. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. 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). There is no denying that Odysseus has done more than most men, but has he done it with decency, integrity, or honor? What are some reasons why Odysseus is or is not a hero? He was also courageous as well as confident., On the subject of heroism, Maya Angelou once wrote that I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people (Angelou). In fact, he shows several qualities one finds in classic Greek heroes, such as Achilles, Hercules, and Theseus. In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. First off, Odysseus had to leave his family to go to Troy. One of these plans was his ingenious idea to trick Polyphemos, which shows he is a hero by saving countless lives. 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. Need a custom essay on the same Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. 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. WebThe Hero The constant strife for self-satisfaction Is often taxing. Odysseus, hes known as a war hero on his way back to his homeland, who ends up going on a ten year long journey due to unforeseen circumstances. Odysseus 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 told her not to tell anyone who he really is. Through The Meadowlands and The Penelopiad, Circe and Penelope showed their strong opinions of this hero through their, Archetypes are evident in all kinds of classic literature, but Homers The Odyssey reveals archetypes in heroes, villains, and a journey. So those are just a few instances in the story where he shows compassion for his comrades and truly cares about them. He rushed to save his men for honor. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. When Odysseus receives advice, even if it is helpful he tends to ignore it. Odysseus This is very poor leadership in the eyes of his crew members. During his long and perilous journey home Odysseus shows many heroic qualities that help save his men from many dangerous situations.

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