Odysseus: The Tragic Hero Of Homer's Odyssey

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In the modern ages, Heros exists and walk among us; taking the sidewalk instead of the sky. Heros possess great strength; rather in mind, in intellectual thoughts than in muscle and bones. They transform our daily lives, our society, our countries, our continents, our world, with news of them rippling across the globe, yet they live and act as we do. Heros retain the same skin which can be cut, the same bones which can be broken, the same viruses and bacteria that can affect the body. The cycle of life they progress through has the same struggles. In Homers world, our main character, Odysseus, is the brave king of Ithaca who on countless occasions displays his cunningness, strength, and loyalty like many other great heroes do. On the surface, he may appear to be grand and powerful, but he holds deep emotions of pride, love, and melancholy. In the Odyssey, written by Homer, our…show more content…
During these battles, heroic characteristics are presented. In the battle against Polyphemus; Odysseus' quick thinking is tested when it comes to his valiant escape, “ Nohbdy, nohbdy's tricked me, Nohbdy’s ruined me!” (Homer, line 358-359). When asked about his name, Odysseus took up the alias of Nohbdy, making it so when Polyphemus was pierced in the eye and asked to cry out who afflicted him such a pain, he would sound like a fool. Another instance of Odysseus’ heroism is his battle against Scylla and Charybdis and the leadership he displayed knowing several men would perish, “Friends, have we never been in danger before this?” (line 766-767). Almost taking on a Valley of Death type theme, the tale tells of Odysseus preaching a pep talk to his men like a decorated General. He is well aware of the casualties that will occur before this event, but he must remain level headed and push his men on if he hopes for more survivors, including himself and his

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