The Odyssey: Odysseus An Epic Hero
Throughout Greek literature, many stories and poems have epic heroes. In Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey , many readers have questioned Odysseus’ stance of being an epic hero. However, Odysseus is an epic hero because is an epic hero because he has human weaknesses, he goes on a long journey , and he has gods and goddesses watching over him.
Firstly, he is an epic hero because he has human weaknesses. Throughout the poem, Odysseus shows his weaknesses of lust, curiosity, and pride. From lines 166 to 173, Homer writes, “ ‘Why not take these cheeses, get them stowed, come back, throw open all the pens and make a run for it?’ … Yet I refused. I wished to see the caveman.” This ...
Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers
|
than ever. His last human flaw is pride. After blinding Polyphemus, Odysseus and his crew are leaving the island unharmed, but Odysseus is proud of what he had accomplished, blinding Polyphemus, and shouts “ Cyclops, if ever a mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell him Odysseus, raider of cities, took your eye : Laertes’ son, whose home’s on Ithaca! ( line #456 to 460) ” After this, Polyphemus asks his father, Poseidon, to take revenge on Odysseus on his journey back to Ithaca. He lets his pride put everyone, including himself, in danger. Odysseus does have human weaknesses and flaws, but he always fixes them or controls them well like an epic hero does.
Another reason why Odysseus is an epic hero is because he takes a long journey with many obstacles and supernatural beings. On his journey home, he encounters many obstacles that deal with supernatural beings. The poem includes Land of the Lotus Eaters, Underworld, Scylla and Charybdis, ...
Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.
Already a member? Login
|
CITE THIS PAGE:
The Odyssey: Odysseus An Epic Hero. (2017, September 12). Retrieved November 22, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Odyssey-Odysseus-An-Epic-Hero/106427
"The Odyssey: Odysseus An Epic Hero." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 12 Sep. 2017. Web. 22 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Odyssey-Odysseus-An-Epic-Hero/106427>
"The Odyssey: Odysseus An Epic Hero." Essayworld.com. September 12, 2017. Accessed November 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Odyssey-Odysseus-An-Epic-Hero/106427.
"The Odyssey: Odysseus An Epic Hero." Essayworld.com. September 12, 2017. Accessed November 22, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Odyssey-Odysseus-An-Epic-Hero/106427.
|
Save
Report