“The Odyssey” is an epic poem that consists of 24 books and is told by the creator, Homer, during the ancient Greek times. All epic poems contain an epic hero, this classifies a specific person as the protagonist of the story that goes above the readers expectations. Odysseus is an epic hero because of his intelligence, bravery, and glory.
Odysseus is an epic hero because of the intelligence that he displays throughout the poem. Odysseus shows his intellect by his ability to think under an immense amount of pressure. For example, the text states “I tied them silently together, twining cords of willow from the ogre’s bed; then slung a man under each middle one to ride there safely, shielded left and right” (9.423-26). This quote explains that …show more content…
Odysseus shows his bravery in many of his actions and also through his dialogue. In “The Land of the Dead,” Odysseus travels to the underworld, so he can receive advice for the prophet, Tiresias. In particular, the text says “Then I addressed the blurred and breathless dead, vowing to slaughter my best heifer for them” (11.584-85). This quote refers to when Odysseus was sacrificing a black lamb and an ewe, so he could speak to the dead spirits. This piece of evidence shows that Odysseus is brave because he journeys to the underworld and talks to a dead man, just so he can get information about his future travel home. Odysseus does not only show his bravery in the underworld, but also with his encounter of the Cyclops, Polyphemus. While the cyclops was sleeping, Odysseus and his men created a wooden spear that they used to kill him. To explain, the text states “The cyclops bellowed and the rock roared round him, and we fell back in fear. Clawing his face he tugged the bloody spike out of his eye” (9.390-93). This portion of the text shows that Odysseus is displayed by his bravery because he took a sharpened spike and used it to kill the cyclop. The result of damaging and killing the cyclops established a quick way to escape and continue their journey home. Both of these pieces of evidence convey Odysseus as brave because he is able to take action when necessary. Odysseus …show more content…
Along the expedition home, Odysseus displays his glory by showing off his pride and confidence. While the Trojan War was beginning to die down, Odysseus formulated a plan to spark the war back and leave victoriously. This action lead Odysseus to act in a more positive and self-assured way, which he reveals in the poem. For example, Homer says “of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy” (1.2-5). This quote reveals that Odysseus had the idea to give a wooden horse to the Trojans, as a gift, when it was really used to end the war. After Odysseus and his men won, he was admired and loved for his glorious actions. Another example of Odysseus displaying glory would be when Homer talks about his achievements. For instance, Homer states “He saw the townlands and learned the minds of many distant men, and weathered many bitter nights and days in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home” (1.5-9). This section of the text shows Homer telling the story of the brave and glorious Odysseus. Homer also discusses the many accomplishments that Odysseus has made along the journey. While talking about this Odysseus is being praised for his glory and power among his people. This excerpt reveals how Odysseus is represented by his glory and honor as an
Odysseus is an epic hero because of the intelligence that he displays throughout the poem. Odysseus shows his intellect by his ability to think under an immense amount of pressure. For example, the text states “I tied them silently together, twining cords of willow from the ogre’s bed; then slung a man under each middle one to ride there safely, shielded left and right” (9.423-26). This quote explains that …show more content…
Odysseus shows his bravery in many of his actions and also through his dialogue. In “The Land of the Dead,” Odysseus travels to the underworld, so he can receive advice for the prophet, Tiresias. In particular, the text says “Then I addressed the blurred and breathless dead, vowing to slaughter my best heifer for them” (11.584-85). This quote refers to when Odysseus was sacrificing a black lamb and an ewe, so he could speak to the dead spirits. This piece of evidence shows that Odysseus is brave because he journeys to the underworld and talks to a dead man, just so he can get information about his future travel home. Odysseus does not only show his bravery in the underworld, but also with his encounter of the Cyclops, Polyphemus. While the cyclops was sleeping, Odysseus and his men created a wooden spear that they used to kill him. To explain, the text states “The cyclops bellowed and the rock roared round him, and we fell back in fear. Clawing his face he tugged the bloody spike out of his eye” (9.390-93). This portion of the text shows that Odysseus is displayed by his bravery because he took a sharpened spike and used it to kill the cyclop. The result of damaging and killing the cyclops established a quick way to escape and continue their journey home. Both of these pieces of evidence convey Odysseus as brave because he is able to take action when necessary. Odysseus …show more content…
Along the expedition home, Odysseus displays his glory by showing off his pride and confidence. While the Trojan War was beginning to die down, Odysseus formulated a plan to spark the war back and leave victoriously. This action lead Odysseus to act in a more positive and self-assured way, which he reveals in the poem. For example, Homer says “of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy” (1.2-5). This quote reveals that Odysseus had the idea to give a wooden horse to the Trojans, as a gift, when it was really used to end the war. After Odysseus and his men won, he was admired and loved for his glorious actions. Another example of Odysseus displaying glory would be when Homer talks about his achievements. For instance, Homer states “He saw the townlands and learned the minds of many distant men, and weathered many bitter nights and days in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only to save his life, to bring his shipmates home” (1.5-9). This section of the text shows Homer telling the story of the brave and glorious Odysseus. Homer also discusses the many accomplishments that Odysseus has made along the journey. While talking about this Odysseus is being praised for his glory and power among his people. This excerpt reveals how Odysseus is represented by his glory and honor as an