Odysseus Is A Hero Essay

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The Odyssey, by Homer, is an epic poem following the journey of the legendary Odysseus on his journey home from the Trojan War. 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. But his confidence is what ruins him. His arrogance and self-assurance is his downfall. Odysseus’ growth as a character is essential to the plot of the story. Without it, there is no story. To reunite with his family, Odysseus must turn on his very nature. When Odysseus left for Troy, he had already established his reputation as a hero. His participation in the war was crucial to the Greeks' victory. It was he who disguised himself as an old beggar and infiltrated the enemy. His cleverness was the reason Menelaus won.…show more content…
He was focused on riches and glory, not on humility or family. Once the war was over, Odysseus did not concern himself with returning swiftly. He focused on gathering more treasure and more gold. He proves his hubris on the island of the Cyclopes when he defeats Polyphemus. As their ship takes them away, Odysseus shouted back, “Cyclopes if ever any mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities took your eye: Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca!” (IX.37) This irresistible urge to prove something put not only Odysseus in danger, but also his crew because this act of hubris caused the Cyclopes to pray to Poseidon to make sure Odysseus never returned home. Odysseus ignored the advice of his men because he believed nothing could touch him. He was a Trojan hero, after all. He again ignored his crew when they came close to the Sirens. The Sirens are creatures with such magical

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