"Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary" this is a quote from Gerard Way, a famous musician with an insightful viewpoint, regarding heroism. I think this quote represents heroism very simply, yet in the truest way. Homer, in the epic poem, The Odyssey, suggests that Odysseus is a hero. Homer develops this assertion by pointing out Odysseus's heroic characteristics in the various trials that he faces. The speaker's purpose is to inform the audience of what true heroes are like and the traits that they may possess in order for them to understand that Odysseus is the ideal example of a hero, regardless of his flaws. The speaker conveys this in a formal tone for all audiences who care to listen. Odysseus is a hero, because
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A true hero, such as Odysseus, should be courageous and never turn down a worthy challenge. In one of many scenarios where he shows courage, Odysseus and some of his men are trapped in the cave of Polyphemus, a solitary Cyclops, who periodically eats a few men. Odysseus is carrying out his escape plan, he says, "Courage-no panic, no one hang back now!" (Homer, 19). When Odysseus says this, he is attempting to rouse courage into his men, because their escape will undoubtedly be difficult. While Odysseus has overcome any fear for this and becomes the one pushing his men forward. In this quote, Odysseus shows his courageousness through completely taking charge or the situation, instead of delegating it to another crewman. He creates such elaborate, outrageous escape plans, nevertheless he manages to carry them out in a nearly flawless fashion. Another instance of courage in The Odyssey may be Odysseus's slaughter of the suitors. Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, claims he is Odysseus and he asks to try out his old bow to prove it to them. After some argument, Odysseus receives the bow and fires it through a seemingly impossible target, thus astonishing the …show more content…
Odysseus, now trapped in Polyphemus's cave, is plotting his revenge on the Cyclops for eating his men. When Polyphemus asks him for his name, in exchange for a guest-gift Odysseus responds, "So, you ask me the name I'm known by, Cyclops? I will tell you. But you must give me a guest-gift as you've promised. Nobody-that's my name. Nobody." (Homer, 18). Odysseus knows that if the Cyclops doesn't know his name, then once he leaves the Cyclops won't know who plundered his home and disabled him. Though he ruins this feat of intelligence by sharing his name, out of pride, later in the escape, it still asserts his ability to plan ahead and not be blindsided by future difficulties. When Odysseus and his men reach the island of the sun, Odysseus is told to steer clear of it, yet all his men beg to stay there for a while to rest. Odysseus eventually realizes there is no way they will give up on this so he tells them, "Eurylochus, you must take this solemn oath that if you meet with a herd of cattle or a large flock of sheep, not one man will slaughter an ox or ram. Just eat in peace." (Homer, 36). Odysseus knows that if they do not respect the Aeaean queen's prophecy, then they are doomed. Odysseus warns his men and keeps his distance from the cattle praying, but unfortunately his men lack the common sense to follow simple directions from their leader. Odysseus is
A true hero, such as Odysseus, should be courageous and never turn down a worthy challenge. In one of many scenarios where he shows courage, Odysseus and some of his men are trapped in the cave of Polyphemus, a solitary Cyclops, who periodically eats a few men. Odysseus is carrying out his escape plan, he says, "Courage-no panic, no one hang back now!" (Homer, 19). When Odysseus says this, he is attempting to rouse courage into his men, because their escape will undoubtedly be difficult. While Odysseus has overcome any fear for this and becomes the one pushing his men forward. In this quote, Odysseus shows his courageousness through completely taking charge or the situation, instead of delegating it to another crewman. He creates such elaborate, outrageous escape plans, nevertheless he manages to carry them out in a nearly flawless fashion. Another instance of courage in The Odyssey may be Odysseus's slaughter of the suitors. Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, claims he is Odysseus and he asks to try out his old bow to prove it to them. After some argument, Odysseus receives the bow and fires it through a seemingly impossible target, thus astonishing the …show more content…
Odysseus, now trapped in Polyphemus's cave, is plotting his revenge on the Cyclops for eating his men. When Polyphemus asks him for his name, in exchange for a guest-gift Odysseus responds, "So, you ask me the name I'm known by, Cyclops? I will tell you. But you must give me a guest-gift as you've promised. Nobody-that's my name. Nobody." (Homer, 18). Odysseus knows that if the Cyclops doesn't know his name, then once he leaves the Cyclops won't know who plundered his home and disabled him. Though he ruins this feat of intelligence by sharing his name, out of pride, later in the escape, it still asserts his ability to plan ahead and not be blindsided by future difficulties. When Odysseus and his men reach the island of the sun, Odysseus is told to steer clear of it, yet all his men beg to stay there for a while to rest. Odysseus eventually realizes there is no way they will give up on this so he tells them, "Eurylochus, you must take this solemn oath that if you meet with a herd of cattle or a large flock of sheep, not one man will slaughter an ox or ram. Just eat in peace." (Homer, 36). Odysseus knows that if they do not respect the Aeaean queen's prophecy, then they are doomed. Odysseus warns his men and keeps his distance from the cattle praying, but unfortunately his men lack the common sense to follow simple directions from their leader. Odysseus is