Everyone has a different viewpoint of what heroism is and portrays. Many people think that heroism includes the capability of having strength and power and others think it includes intelligence and slyness. Now, Odysseus from the epic poem The Odyssey has shown various situations where he applied traits from either side of those perspectives. This comes to prove how Odysseus is able to exceed all expectations of most people, which proves that Odysseus is a true hero.
Most heroes have common characteristics; A characteristic that Odysseus shares with most heroes is determination. Odysseus proves his perseverance many times but one goal that Odysseus made clear to the readers is his want to go back to Ithaka to his family. Odysseus takes life-threatening …show more content…
They believe that throughout the epic poem Odysseus develops a complex personality that takes away from heroic like features which eventually creates the thought that Odysseus is not a true hero. For example when he was stuck on the island with Kalypso he had many affairs with her. This is proven in Book V Line 163 when it states “ he lay with her each night”. This shows Odysseus as a disloyal person and since disloyalty isn’t part of a hero’s profile opposers think Odysseus is not a hero. However, Odysseus was forced to have affairs with Kalypso and although he did have the affairs he still longed to be home to his wife Penelope. This is proven in Book V Lines 212-214 and 224-229 when it states “Son of Laertes,versatile Odysseus, after these years with me, you still desire your old home?...My lady goddess, here is no cause for anger. My quiet Penelope-- how well I know--- would seem a shade before your majesty death and old age being unknown to you while she must die. Yet, it is true, each day I long for home, long for the sight of home.” This portrays that when Odysseus had the chance. to leave he did which means he didn’t stay there by choice.Also Odysseus was trying to hint at the fact that he misses his wife without getting Kalypso angry which is why he strategically compliments her. Odysseus only had the affairs because he didn’t know how to get of the island but when
Most heroes have common characteristics; A characteristic that Odysseus shares with most heroes is determination. Odysseus proves his perseverance many times but one goal that Odysseus made clear to the readers is his want to go back to Ithaka to his family. Odysseus takes life-threatening …show more content…
They believe that throughout the epic poem Odysseus develops a complex personality that takes away from heroic like features which eventually creates the thought that Odysseus is not a true hero. For example when he was stuck on the island with Kalypso he had many affairs with her. This is proven in Book V Line 163 when it states “ he lay with her each night”. This shows Odysseus as a disloyal person and since disloyalty isn’t part of a hero’s profile opposers think Odysseus is not a hero. However, Odysseus was forced to have affairs with Kalypso and although he did have the affairs he still longed to be home to his wife Penelope. This is proven in Book V Lines 212-214 and 224-229 when it states “Son of Laertes,versatile Odysseus, after these years with me, you still desire your old home?...My lady goddess, here is no cause for anger. My quiet Penelope-- how well I know--- would seem a shade before your majesty death and old age being unknown to you while she must die. Yet, it is true, each day I long for home, long for the sight of home.” This portrays that when Odysseus had the chance. to leave he did which means he didn’t stay there by choice.Also Odysseus was trying to hint at the fact that he misses his wife without getting Kalypso angry which is why he strategically compliments her. Odysseus only had the affairs because he didn’t know how to get of the island but when