Our definition of a hero is shaped by one’s culture, and how one’s culture has changed. In modern day, revenge is seen as a violent act in return of wrongdoing. Compared to Ancient Greece, revenge was honored and respected as a characteristic of many heroes. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer uses the motif of revenge to demonstrate the value of violence and justice when considering someone a hero.
Throughout his visit on Polyphemus’s island, Odysseus shows his heroic ability when displaying acts of violence and justice. Once Odysseus finds the island, him and his men enter the cave and help themselves to food and drinks out of hospitality. When Polyphemus finds them, he becomes infuriated and kills a few men, Odysseus exclaims “that monster …show more content…
Odysseus is looking for this opportunity for revenge and justice on Polyphemus for killing his men. In this instance, Odysseus is showing the characteristics of a hero by stepping up and fighting for justice for his men. He's loyal to his crew in this way and does everything in this situation to save them and himself from this “monster with his heart set on lawlessness”. Considering Polyphemus is a lawless monster, Odysseus is showing a lot bravery by stepping up and fighting such a crazy creature. Odysseus is valued for all of these traits of bravery, loyalty, and along violence and justice, that makes him a hero. After his just victory, him and his crew sail off. As they start drifting away, Odysseus yells "Cyclops, if …show more content…
Odysseus returns back home and learns that there are suitors invading his house. He bravely faces them as he says “[A]ll that you have now, and what you could add from elsewhere, even so, I would not stay my hands from the slaughter, until I had taken revenge for all the suitors' transgression.” (22.62-67). Odysseus is a very just person seeking true, violent revenge over a peaceful resolution. He gets revenge on the suitors for occupying his kingdom for over 20 years, through fighting. Odysseus makes this situation a chance to prove he's a hero by exaggerating the violence and justice. Odysseus could've handled this problem with a peaceful compromise, but instead he went straight for fighting. This shows Odysseus values are fighting and justice, and that he will do irrational things just to prove he is a hero. Odysseus values are pressured by society, to fit the characteristics of a hero. With the suitors, Odysseus proves he is a hero through society’s displaying values (fighting). Not only did ODysseus prove to himself and society that he is a hero, but also the Gods. Athena appears disguised as Mentor and encourages Odysseus to fight the suitors and questions him “Where’s it gone, Odysseus- your power, your fighting heart? The great soldier who fought for famous white-armed Helen, battling Trojans nine long...How can you- now you’ve returned to your own house, your
Throughout his visit on Polyphemus’s island, Odysseus shows his heroic ability when displaying acts of violence and justice. Once Odysseus finds the island, him and his men enter the cave and help themselves to food and drinks out of hospitality. When Polyphemus finds them, he becomes infuriated and kills a few men, Odysseus exclaims “that monster …show more content…
Odysseus is looking for this opportunity for revenge and justice on Polyphemus for killing his men. In this instance, Odysseus is showing the characteristics of a hero by stepping up and fighting for justice for his men. He's loyal to his crew in this way and does everything in this situation to save them and himself from this “monster with his heart set on lawlessness”. Considering Polyphemus is a lawless monster, Odysseus is showing a lot bravery by stepping up and fighting such a crazy creature. Odysseus is valued for all of these traits of bravery, loyalty, and along violence and justice, that makes him a hero. After his just victory, him and his crew sail off. As they start drifting away, Odysseus yells "Cyclops, if …show more content…
Odysseus returns back home and learns that there are suitors invading his house. He bravely faces them as he says “[A]ll that you have now, and what you could add from elsewhere, even so, I would not stay my hands from the slaughter, until I had taken revenge for all the suitors' transgression.” (22.62-67). Odysseus is a very just person seeking true, violent revenge over a peaceful resolution. He gets revenge on the suitors for occupying his kingdom for over 20 years, through fighting. Odysseus makes this situation a chance to prove he's a hero by exaggerating the violence and justice. Odysseus could've handled this problem with a peaceful compromise, but instead he went straight for fighting. This shows Odysseus values are fighting and justice, and that he will do irrational things just to prove he is a hero. Odysseus values are pressured by society, to fit the characteristics of a hero. With the suitors, Odysseus proves he is a hero through society’s displaying values (fighting). Not only did ODysseus prove to himself and society that he is a hero, but also the Gods. Athena appears disguised as Mentor and encourages Odysseus to fight the suitors and questions him “Where’s it gone, Odysseus- your power, your fighting heart? The great soldier who fought for famous white-armed Helen, battling Trojans nine long...How can you- now you’ve returned to your own house, your