Courage In Odysseus In Homer's The Odyssey

To have courage is to have nerve, boldness and grit. Without courage, humanity would result into nothing. Living in fear of taking the next step or turning the tables will delay the growth of an army and eventually, a nation. With courage, one can thrive into the next phase of life. Courage is acting without fear. When facing a fear there are two options that one may take: turn around and run or take the challenge head on. In Homer’s The Odyssey, readers are introduced to Odysseus, a tragic hero who is described as bold and courageous. Menelaus, one of Odysseus’s comrades, recalls the Trojan War and the spirit of his fellow warrior, “-what a heart that fearless Odysseus had inside him!” (4.303). Menelaus is inspired by Odysseus’s heroism. Odysseus’s heart is a true heart of courage. To not have courage is to be a coward. A fearful person is full of humility. John Wayne once said, “ Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway.” Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus always claims to have fear in his heart, but in retrospect, he always ends up acting …show more content…
We gain wisdom from past experiences; experiences that were not in someone’s best interest. Jim Butcher claimed, “Courage is about learning how to function despite the fear, to put aside your instincts to run or give in completely to the anger born from fear.” Courage is learning how to get through life without giving in to instinct. Oneself must get out of their comfort zone to conquer life’s obstacles. Courage is about having wisdom, but also having confidence in yourself. In book twelve, Odysseus boast, “But even from there my courage, my presence of mind and tactics saved us all, and we will live to remember this someday, I have no doubt.” (277-278. 124-125). Not only does he brag about his courage and wisdom, but he also promises his men that they will live to see another day. A prideful person takes risks, realizes their self-worth, and most importantly, is