Odysseus: an Examination of The Heroic Journey

Throughout history, heroes have always caught our imagination and inspired us to overcome the tough stuff and aim for greatness. One hero who still gets people's attention is Odysseus from Homer's epic tale, "The Odyssey." This classic story follows Odysseus as he tries to get home after the Trojan War. Sure, some folks might say Odysseus isn't perfect, but his heroic traits shine through in key parts of the text. These moments show off his bravery, smarts, and toughness, making it clear why he's a real hero.

Odysseus: The Heroic Journey

A big part of being a hero is bravery, right? And Odysseus totally nails this over and over during his journey. Like when he's up against the Cyclops Polyphemus, he shows his guts by saying something like, "I tied my guys together and took a big leap at the Cyclops with my spear" (Homer, Book 9). That quote really shows how fearless he is, taking on a giant beast to save his crew. His bravery stands out again when he faces the Sirens' tempting song that could lead them all to doom. He tells his crew something like, "Here's the plan: Quick, untie me so we can keep going; everyone sit tight and stay lashed to your seats" (Homer, Book 12). Even with that tempting tune trying to mess with him, Odysseus stays focused on keeping his men safe.

But it's not just about courage; Odysseus's smarts are also a big part of what makes him a hero. He keeps coming up with clever ways to beat his enemies—he's quick on his feet. When he deals with those lotus-eaters, he says something like, "I got my three men back to the ships and told everyone else: 'Get onboard now; don't touch the lotus or you'll never want to go home again'" (Homer, Book 9). This shows off how quick-thinking and smart he is. By seeing the threat of the lotus right away, he takes charge and keeps his crew from falling into its trap.

Then there's Odysseus's toughness when things get rough—that really shows he's a hero too. No matter how many setbacks come his way, he's set on getting back home to Ithaca. While stuck on Cyclops island, he says something like, "I told my men not to risk their lives trying to save me—they couldn't have helped anyway against that beast" (Homer, Book 9). This shows Odysseus's selflessness and firm resolve. Even in bad situations, he puts his crew's safety first instead of thinking about himself. Plus, after years held by Calypso the nymph, he still doesn't give up on getting home. He says something like "Enough! I've got a plan—stand by me Athena and I'll get my crew out and head home" (Homer, Book 5). This proves how unstoppable he is and how committed he is to getting past hurdles.

In wrapping up here—Odysseus’s heroic traits pop out throughout "The Odyssey," especially in quotes highlighting his bravery smarts resilience—from facing mythical creatures fearlessly using strategic thinking not giving up determination—all these make him a true hero—even though maybe flawed sometimes yet outweighing those flaws big time! His journey reminds us heroes can look different—it’s actions character defining ‘em!

References

• Homer. The Odyssey. Translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics, 1997.
• Schein S.L., “Reading Homer,” The Classical Review, vol 42 no3 (1998):317-318.
• Powell B.B., “Homer,” Wiley Blackwell Press 2004.
• Morris I., “Archaeology as Cultural History,” Blackwell Publishers Ltd.,2000.
• Clarke H., “The Art Of Odyssey,” Bristol Phoenix Press 2004.