Odysseus As An Epic Hero

Odysseus is a traditional epic hero from The Odyssey. Homer incorporated many of epic hero traits throughout the story. Just like Homer incorporated epic hero traits into the story, Martin Luther King Jr. used his epic hero traits throughout his whole life. Although they both show epic hero traits, King is a modern day hero unlike Odysseus who is traditional. Martin Luther King Jr. embodies the characteristics of an epic hero because he showed national heroism, showed how he was a great warrior, and showed how humble he is.
Martin Luther King Jr. was an epic hero because she shows many great qualities. One being that he was a national hero and he didn’t want nothing less until he was murder. When he showed national heroism is when he fought for equality throughout all the U.S. Many people think of him as a public figure because of these actions. King showed national heroism when he stood out as a “selflessly dedicated and utterly principled public figure” (Garrow). He showed how selflessly dedicated he was when he walked down to Washington and gave his I have a dream speech. The speech made him a public figure for all black people. Lastly, Martin Luther King Jr. is known for his determination and how he improved today’s world. …show more content…
By showing leadership and determination he reveals his great warrior trait. He shows leadership qualities when he begins to say, “most real leaders of the southern civil rights struggle-unheralded people who performed the crucial task of encouraging others to stand up and take an active part in advancing their own lives and communities” (Garrow). His description of what a real leader is which reveals the epic hero trait that is a great warrior. Finally Martin Luther King Jr. is known as a great warrior all around the U.S. and is definitely considered an epic hero because of