Is Odysseus a Hero in The Poem

Throughout the epic poem The Odyssey, the question pops up: Who really deserves to be called a hero? Odysseus, the main dude in the story, sure has those heroic vibes—he’s brave, smart, and can lead like nobody's business. But hold on a sec! Some of his choices and moves make you wonder about his morals and how heroic he really is. This essay takes a swing at saying that even though Odysseus shows some hero traits, he's not quite the real deal because of his sketchy actions and flawed character.

Analyzing Odysseus' Character

The Flawed Hero: So, what makes a hero different from just another main character? Well, it’s those pesky flaws they have. Like us regular folks, heroes aren’t perfect—they've got weaknesses. Odysseus is no exception; he's got his own set of issues that stop him from being this picture-perfect hero.

First off, there’s his massive pride or hubris. You see this when he deals with the gods or even his crew. Take the time he blinds Cyclops Polyphemus; then he goes and boasts about who he is! Not cool when it leads to Poseidon messing with him and making life tough for him and his men. A real hero would keep it humble and not brag about their wins.

Plus, Odysseus often gets called out for being cunning and deceitful. While sometimes that helps him out, like when he returns to Ithaca dressed as a beggar to gather intel on those suitors, it also makes you think about whether he's really honest. Manipulating others for personal gain ain't exactly what you'd call integrity.

Questionable Choices and Consequences: And let’s talk about some things he does that make you scratch your head. Sure, he’s brave—no one can deny that—but often he seems more worried about saving himself rather than others around him.

Like when they come across those lotus-eaters? He lets his crew munch on some fruit that wipes their memories of home! That's pretty risky for their journey back—and it drags out their hardships way longer than needed. A true hero would look after his crew first instead of going for short-term thrills.

Then there’s how he treats women throughout the story—not exactly something to write home about ethically speaking. He cheats on Penelope left and right during his travels without thinking twice about the fallout back home. Even if these antics fit in with ancient societal norms, they don’t match up with today’s idea of what makes someone heroic.

Rethinking Heroism: So looking at all these flaws alongside questionable acts does more than question Odysseus’ own status—it makes us rethink what we even mean by “heroism.” If being brave and doing big stuff makes someone a hero, okay fine maybe he fits in—but shouldnt there also be some moral backbone involved?

This dive into who Odysseus is asks us all to rethink classic definitions—maybe having great qualities alone isn’t enough; perhaps heroes should always show true integrity while acting selflessly for others too!

Conclusion: Wrapping up here—Odysseus might have those flashy heroic traits like courage or smarts but let’s face it: His pridefulness mixed with crafty tactics plus selfish choices kinda undermine any claim toward genuine hero status doesn’t it? It leaves us questioning just how we define what being truly heroic means overall anyway—ultimately shouldn’t heroes blend strength & intelligence alongside showing strong moral compass & care beyond themselves?

References

• Homer. (1996). The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics.
• Morris, I., & Powell M.A.. (1997). A New Companion to Homer. Brill Academic Publishers.
• Kelly, A.. (2008). "Odyssey's Legacy." Journal of Epic Studies.
• Schein S.L.. (1984). The Mortal Hero: An Introduction to Homer's Iliad. University of California Press.