Odysseus’ Heroic Traits The main character in Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus, possesses multiple traits that put him among the most well-known and recognizable heroes in the history of the human race. There are three characteristics in particular that stand out when showing how he is amongst the world’s most famous heroes. The first quality that Odysseus contains is how he is a ruthless, merciless, and coldblooded killer. It is necessary for Odysseus to be pitiless while in combat with his enemies because it prevents a foe from being able to escape or from getting up and wounding him. The next attributes essential to Odysseus being a hero is his bravery as well as determination to return home. The third and final trait that Odysseus must retain
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In Greek culture, hubris is an excessive pride or defiance of the gods. Odysseus shows hubris in one primary way. This occurs when Odysseus and his men escape from Polyphemus’ island. After successfully getting away, Odysseus shouts at the Cyclops taunting him and essentially only making the Cyclops angrier. During this time, Odysseus says things like; “. . . say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye” (227.560-561). Not only does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name but, Odysseus also goes so far as to tell the Cyclops where he is from as well as his father’s name. “Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca” (227.562). Odysseus is so cocky and brash in the moment that the Cyclops goes and prays to his father (Poseidon) to curse Odysseus of Ithaca. Polyphemus prays that “. . . Odysseus, raider of cities . . . never reaches home.” (228.588, 590). Polyphemus also prays that if Odysseus is fortunate enough to return home, “. . . let him come home late and come a broken man” (228.592-593). While Odysseus does end up making it back home, he does return a broken man who is without a ship and shipmates, just like the Cyclops prayed for. Finally, multiple traits lead Odysseus to be a great literary …show more content…
First, he has a tragic flaw, which is essential to being a literary hero. Odysseus’ disastrous flaw is hubris, which is excessive pride or defiance to the gods. Second, the King of Ithaca had two important behaviors, his bravery and motivation, which are mandatory for a hero. Both motivation and possession of a tragic flaw can be seen as traits that heroes in today’s society contain. For example, in Rocky IV boxer Apollo Creed challenges Russian fighter Drago to an exhibition match. Apollo comes out in an overdone entrance flaunting his ego and is subsequently beaten to the point where he dies in the ring. In this case, hubris was literally Apollo’s fatal flaw. After seeing his friend die, Rocky goes on long and hard fought journey to avenge his friend’s death by beating Drago. Similarly to Odysseus, Rocky has a plethora of motivation guiding him through his journey. Finally, Odysseus is a coldblooded and merciless killer who shows no pity on his enemies. This makes him a great hero because he never lets the opponent get away. To sum up, Odysseus from Homer’s The Odyssey possesses these three traits which lead him to be among the most recognizable and famous heroes in the history of the human
In Greek culture, hubris is an excessive pride or defiance of the gods. Odysseus shows hubris in one primary way. This occurs when Odysseus and his men escape from Polyphemus’ island. After successfully getting away, Odysseus shouts at the Cyclops taunting him and essentially only making the Cyclops angrier. During this time, Odysseus says things like; “. . . say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye” (227.560-561). Not only does Odysseus tell the Cyclops his name but, Odysseus also goes so far as to tell the Cyclops where he is from as well as his father’s name. “Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca” (227.562). Odysseus is so cocky and brash in the moment that the Cyclops goes and prays to his father (Poseidon) to curse Odysseus of Ithaca. Polyphemus prays that “. . . Odysseus, raider of cities . . . never reaches home.” (228.588, 590). Polyphemus also prays that if Odysseus is fortunate enough to return home, “. . . let him come home late and come a broken man” (228.592-593). While Odysseus does end up making it back home, he does return a broken man who is without a ship and shipmates, just like the Cyclops prayed for. Finally, multiple traits lead Odysseus to be a great literary …show more content…
First, he has a tragic flaw, which is essential to being a literary hero. Odysseus’ disastrous flaw is hubris, which is excessive pride or defiance to the gods. Second, the King of Ithaca had two important behaviors, his bravery and motivation, which are mandatory for a hero. Both motivation and possession of a tragic flaw can be seen as traits that heroes in today’s society contain. For example, in Rocky IV boxer Apollo Creed challenges Russian fighter Drago to an exhibition match. Apollo comes out in an overdone entrance flaunting his ego and is subsequently beaten to the point where he dies in the ring. In this case, hubris was literally Apollo’s fatal flaw. After seeing his friend die, Rocky goes on long and hard fought journey to avenge his friend’s death by beating Drago. Similarly to Odysseus, Rocky has a plethora of motivation guiding him through his journey. Finally, Odysseus is a coldblooded and merciless killer who shows no pity on his enemies. This makes him a great hero because he never lets the opponent get away. To sum up, Odysseus from Homer’s The Odyssey possesses these three traits which lead him to be among the most recognizable and famous heroes in the history of the human