Anyone can be a hero, even if they do not seem like they would be one. The Odyssey, written by Homer, is an epic poem. The story is about Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his journey home from the Battle of Troy. He encounters multiple gods, goddesses, and species of unknown kind on his quest. Odysseus is a heroic person because he shows the Greek values cleverness, loyalty, and kindness to strangers. To begin with, Odysseus is a hero when he shows the Greek value cleverness, especially in difficult situations. When the men arrived at an unknown island, Odysseus, “Sent out two picked men and a runner to learn what race of men that land sustained,” (92-93). This is an example of cleverness because the last time they landed at an island,
…show more content…
To clarify, while Odysseus and his boat of survivors are on Thrinacia, home to the sun god Helios’ beloved cattle, Odysseus’ men, “Knifed the kine and flayed each carcass, cutting thighbones free to wrap in double folds of fat,” (886-888). Following the previous event, Odysseus cried, “O Father Zeus and gods in bliss forever, you made me sleep away this day of mischief! O cruel drowsing, in the evil hour! Here they sat, and a great work they contrived,” (899-902). In this vignette, Odysseus blamed the god of gods, Zeus, for letting him sleep and his men to get away with murdering the kine. This action was very un-heroic of Odysseus, as he should have interpreted this situation better and not blame Zeus for something he did not do. Even though Odysseus did not treat the situation as he should have, there has been other times he has been very heroic and has respected greatly honored gods or people. For instance, when Odysseus traveled to the underworld, he, “Swore to sacrifice a black lamb, handsomest of all our flock... for Tiresias,” (559-560). In this scene, Odysseus decided to pay respect to the blind prophet, Tiresias, by sacrificing his best lamb, instead of keeping it for him and his crew. This action that Odysseus promised will take place is very heroic of …show more content…
Although he was mostly loyal to his crew, there had been a few instances where he became very selfish and did things only for himself. For example, Odysseus, “Sent them on towards Scylla, [he] told them nothing, as they could do nothing,” (783-784). This shows Odysseus not being loyal to his crew because he did not warn them of Scylla and Charybdis, which put his whole crew in danger. As a result, six of his best men were eaten by Scylla. In contrast, there are many other examples that show that Odysseus is loyal to his shipmates. For instance, on the Land of the Lotus Eaters, three men ate the Lotus flower. Odysseus was loyal and came to the rescue and, “Drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down rowing benches, and called to the rest: All hands aboard; come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home,” (101-105). This is an example of Odysseus being a loyal and trustworthy King. He made sure that none of his crew got left
To clarify, while Odysseus and his boat of survivors are on Thrinacia, home to the sun god Helios’ beloved cattle, Odysseus’ men, “Knifed the kine and flayed each carcass, cutting thighbones free to wrap in double folds of fat,” (886-888). Following the previous event, Odysseus cried, “O Father Zeus and gods in bliss forever, you made me sleep away this day of mischief! O cruel drowsing, in the evil hour! Here they sat, and a great work they contrived,” (899-902). In this vignette, Odysseus blamed the god of gods, Zeus, for letting him sleep and his men to get away with murdering the kine. This action was very un-heroic of Odysseus, as he should have interpreted this situation better and not blame Zeus for something he did not do. Even though Odysseus did not treat the situation as he should have, there has been other times he has been very heroic and has respected greatly honored gods or people. For instance, when Odysseus traveled to the underworld, he, “Swore to sacrifice a black lamb, handsomest of all our flock... for Tiresias,” (559-560). In this scene, Odysseus decided to pay respect to the blind prophet, Tiresias, by sacrificing his best lamb, instead of keeping it for him and his crew. This action that Odysseus promised will take place is very heroic of …show more content…
Although he was mostly loyal to his crew, there had been a few instances where he became very selfish and did things only for himself. For example, Odysseus, “Sent them on towards Scylla, [he] told them nothing, as they could do nothing,” (783-784). This shows Odysseus not being loyal to his crew because he did not warn them of Scylla and Charybdis, which put his whole crew in danger. As a result, six of his best men were eaten by Scylla. In contrast, there are many other examples that show that Odysseus is loyal to his shipmates. For instance, on the Land of the Lotus Eaters, three men ate the Lotus flower. Odysseus was loyal and came to the rescue and, “Drove them, all three wailing, to the ships, tied them down rowing benches, and called to the rest: All hands aboard; come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home,” (101-105). This is an example of Odysseus being a loyal and trustworthy King. He made sure that none of his crew got left