is odysseus a hero or villain

Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus is rational when dealing with many situations. He was a villain and there is no doubt about it. 1. 2765. Do you consider Odysseus as a hero Why or why not? Odysseus relies on his wit to help him in battle and on his journey home, just as Batman and Iron Man use mental acuity to build their own suits and gadgets. These details show that Odysseus is not a hero because of his selfishness because in every one of these evidences he only thinks about himself. However most myths are in this way, there doesn't seem to be many relatable things in these stories but the overral moral connects to the reader making the myth more realistic. Six of his crew members do perish but through his hard work and dedication he survives. An epic hero embodies several heroic traits such as; having superior or super-human strength; being intellectual and courageous; and being a strong and responsible leader. In addition, when the cyclops asks Odysseus for his name he responds. While Odysseus does demonstrate some qualities that are not heroic, he is still defined as a hero because of his better, more heroic qualities in which he is far superior in than any other man. However, three stories of his show specific archetype proficiently and repeatedly. Many would argue that Odysseus is more of a villain nowadays, for every instance of his wiliness or feats of strength there are Odysseus, the hero in Homers epic poem The Odyssey, fought in the Trojan War and embarked on a ten year journey to return to his kingdom, Ithaca. What a hero is a person that will give everything that they have to save another person from any harm. Odysseus is truly a heroic figure because he demonstrates courage, improves his character, and wins the support of the gods. Such as next a reasons why Odysseus is not a hero is because he was the cause why his own mother died., If one were to walk methodically through an art gallery viewing the lovely artworks of the past you'd have to really stop and notice those of the Renaissance. The Odyssey, by Homer, has a large range of stories in it. Homer is describing the crew lashing Odysseus to the mast so that he may hear the sirens sing. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. While traveling from Troy back to his home in Ithaka, King Odysseus overcomes daunting obstacles, and in doing so discovers his place in the world. When Circe captured Odysseuss men he was advised not to save them by his best man, Eurylochus, however Against this advice, Odysseus rushes to save his men from the enchantress (Homer 1125). Odysseus is another prominent example of a Homeric hero. He then spends the majority of the epic poem sitting in his tent while the war rages on and the Greeks begin to lose without him. Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. He was also clever and dedicated to all his plans and ideas to conquer creatures and return home. He tries desperately to return home to Ithaka and his wife, Penelope, and newborn son, Telemachus. In my mind it is right in the middle he does some things that were ok, but he also did things he shouldn't have done. So those are just a few instances in the story where he shows compassion for his comrades and truly cares about them. WebOdysseus is an epic hero because he cares about his family, he is intelligent and he shows courage and because he shows determination. Odysseus is a good hero because he is rational when times get tough. Odysseus vs Batman - Ancient and Modern Concepts of Because it contains so many and such striking adventures, some have called it an Now you might say that in this case Odysseus is not a hero because he was not thinking ahead in the first place and was too curious and got him and his men caught by the Cyclops. He accomplishes many great events like that of defeating the Trojans, slaying the suitors and travelling to and back from Hades. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus proves he is not a hero because he is arrogant, secretive, and unfaithful; resulting for readers to believe that every action has an consequence. Odysseus is thought of as a hero in the physical and spiritual sense because of his bravery while facing the many dangers of creatures, goddesses, and many other things for almost 20 years trying to get home to his wife and son. On almost any page you turn to in the epic, you can find some act of greed or foolishness coming from Odysseus. He showed no mercy towards them and killed all the suitors. War itself may also be considered an antagonist in the poem war is what separated Odysseus from his home, and he spends much of the poem battling the traumas he and his men suffered in the Trojan War. For instance, Odysseus says that Circes luxuries appealed to his and his mens battle-hardened spirits. Another trait that ends up killing a number of his men is his lack of leadership skills, or rather the lack of respect and trust from his men. On the other hand, he does not seem much like a hero because he was unloyal by having affairs on Penelope. While he is not a modern hero, he is a compelling character in the Odyssey, and the reader roots for him to achieve his goal of returning to Ithaca. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus can be seen as a hero or villain based on his actions. Through The Meadowlands and The Penelopiad, Circe and Penelope showed their strong opinions of this hero through their, Archetypes are evident in all kinds of classic literature, but Homers The Odyssey reveals archetypes in heroes, villains, and a journey. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. While Odysseus many adventures are very exciting, he spends a considerable amount of time cheating on his wife (with. This is what underpins a modern-day hero, and it drastically differs from the ancient perceptions of heroism. He plays with the lives of his men with no regard for the well-being or their families. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? The book The Odyssey written by Homer reveals a story of a true hero. The old soldier in despair: He has spent ten years (seven of them as Calypsos not entirely unwillingly captive) trying to get home (652, summary). For example,We lit a fire, burnt an offering, and we took some cheese to eat; then sat in silence around the embers, waiting(Homer 219-222). Odysseus is not a hero because he was not humble or good at accepting the help that he received, and he also acted before synthesizing the consequences that he would face in the future. In fact, he shows several qualities one finds in classic Greek heroes, such as Achilles, Hercules, and Theseus. He also deeply cares about the welfare of his men on their return trip to Ithaka. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca after ten years of war in Troy. Odysseus consists of positive and negative characteristics that is shown in the text by Homer. First example is that he mounted Circes, a woman that helped Odysseus, bed. While Odysseus does demonstrate some qualities that are not heroic, he is still defined as a hero because of his better, more heroic qualities in which he is far superior in than any other man. WebFrom Villain to Hero explores the reception of Odysseus in philosophy, a subject that so far has been treated only in tangential or limited ways. Art has always tried to mirror life but in the ever yet similarly famous tale Odyessus by Homer there is no question as to this myth's life mirroring image. Odysseus is considered an epic herofor his role as King of Ithaca, his participation in the war, and his journey home. He may as well be on Americas most wanted list with all the trouble he was causing. The old soldier in despair: He has spent ten years (seven of them as Calypsos not entirely unwillingly captive) trying to get home (652, summary). He may have super hero qualities such as extreme strength and cleverness but he doesnt embody them the way one should. Everyone thinks he is not a hero is he slept with circe there is a reason why that is not a strong reason that he is not a hero. He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. However, he has many traits that explain his clouded judgement. In Homers, The Odyssey, I believe that Odysseus is a true modern hero. He is not a selfish hero: instead, his drive is to his people and to found a new city that will eventually become Rome. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. He also leads his men into their own fates. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. She never once gives up hope or falls to the temptation of other men despite the fact that dozens of them were living with her. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. The first archetype i 'll be explaining is the hero, characteristics of a hero, sage, and villain. The first archetype this essay will be explaining, Ancient Greek civilizations and their morals. Odysseus was probably think that if he and his army defeated Troy than they would have any more trouble with anyone, but, April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? The trojans didn't know Odysseus and his men were inside the big wooden horse, Odysseus and his men eventually came out and attacked the trojans and won the war. WebOdysseus is the spitting image of what an ancient Greek hero would be like but in todays society or just in general, Odysseus is not heroic. Archetypes are characters or character traits that is created and recreated all throughout literature. The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are usually uglier, more evil, and more cunning than anyone we know in ordinary life. He has no regard for anyones feelings but his own, and he believes nothing and no one can harm him, not even the gods. The gods punished him by stranding him at sea for more than ten years without being able to go home. A hero acts in the context of fate and divine forces. A hero is someone who, in spite of weakness, doubt or not always knowing the answers, goes ahead and overcomes anyway and this shows the quality of a hero that the well-known hero, Odysseus, does not have. Heading home, to Ithaca, Odysseus is faced upon many obstacles that he and his men try to overcome, but in the end substantiate that Odysseus is a villain. ro \hir- ()\ Noun a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic He put his own men in danger just because he wanted to become famous. is Odysseus In one of Homers classic epics, The Odyssey, Odysseus is admired by many people as a man who has intelligence, nobility, and confidence. Even when Odysseus was thought to be dead, she still puts up with the suitors behavior and refuses to remarry. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men Odysseus had many affairs and was disloyal to his wife, slaughtered hundreds of people in the name of righteousness, and above all, exemplifies hubris, or arrogant pride. Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. Odysseus was considered a hero among the people in Ancient Greek times. When the men said Why not take these cheeses, Archetypes are characteristics or characters that can define a hero. When he faced the Cyclops he stabbed his eye, so the men could get away.The crewmen then escape the cyclops's cave by riding under the bellies of the cyclops's rams as Odysseus even ties each and every one of them to a ram by himself. Would Achilles be judged as a hero in modern times? So is Odysseus really a hero? When Odysseus is on the journey to Ithaka, he neglects to let his crew know how long they will be staying on each island. Evidence proves that, Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. On the island of Cicones,and with his encounter with Polyphemus, Odysseus learned that bragging can bring great misfortune. This led me to wonder, what characteristics qualify or disqualify someone, In Homer's The Odyssey, he portrays Odysseus, the hero of the story, as clever and brave. He is selfish, disloyal, hypocritical and harsh; everything a hero is not. For example, when Odysseus and his men find themselves on Polyphemus's island, Odysseus's actions are self-centered and at the expense of his men. Odysseus also possesses the personal qualities of an epic hero. This also shows that he is not a hero because he was mean because when the crew members were yelling his name he never saved them all he did was watch them die. Like most epic heroes, Odysseus has been mostly harmed by the gods. The simple acts of heroism are often overlooked-thats very clear to me not only in war but in peace (source 2). Use tab to navigate through the menu items. WebOdysseus is Not a Hero for the Modern Age Essay. In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. This reveals Odysseus is a villain because he reacts as if he was innocent and some way being betrayed by his own wife. Ed. In Homers Odysseus' Selfishness Essay Harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy.(The Odyssey line 3). He is unfaithful to Penelope many times throughout the book. He takes the punishment of Antinous and the other suitors without saying a word and is able to see those who have invaded his house. Joseph Campbell once said, A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. True heroes are those who do something for others rather for themselves, Odysseus doesnt exactly show this trait in The Odyssey. He thinks he is the most intelligent human being, even more so than the gods. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is quite the legend known to people, whether you are high up in the sky with Zeus, or deep in the ocean with Poseidon, everyone knows Odysseus. Odysseus is not a hero because he constantly puts his men in danger and makes decisions without thinking. Odysseus, the Cyclops, and Penelope are specific examples of archetypes in this epic poem. He believes he is always right and will do what he thinks is right, like a villain. Odysseus is not a hero because he killed a lot of men, whom he didn't know, to save his family. She only wanted Odysseus to come home and for the suitors to stop eating their food. He is shown to be clever but flawed, as his pride leads him to reveal his identity to Polyphemus in Odyssey 9, enabling the cyclops to pray to Poseidon and curse the rest of his journey back to Ithaca. One of the many reasons I believe this is because he shows that he cares for his comrades. The Odyssey depicts his ten-year nostos (homeward journey) after the Trojan War until he finally retakes his throne on Ithaca. Odysseus was a war hero, fighting against the Trojans as depicted in The Iliad. He led the raid once inside the walls of Troy and is also credited with the idea of the Trojan Horse. On his way home from war, Odysseus is taken on a long journey encountering mythical creatures and gods. There are many things that can prove otherwise. Odysseus portrays himself as anything but a hero throughout Homers The Odyssey. When trapped on Calypsos island he shows no attempt to escape and instead finds pleasure in being their. Well in the story of The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a lot of honorable characteristics, but he also has a few immoral characteristics. The archetype of heroism allows, most people, Odysseus is believed as a hero. These traits and behaviors are not acceptable for anyone, especially a person considered to be and hailed as a hero. Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. Therefore, Odysseus is not a hero. A hero consists of anyone who puts their best selves forward in service to humanity. Odysseus comments that his crew tried to calm him down and get him to stop talking, but he. Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. In The Odyssey, the hero is Odysseus, king of Ithaca. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. Athena, however, aided him when he arrived to his homeland. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. ro \hir- ()\ Noun a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal Literary Devices He is superhuman. I could not welcome you with love on sight! Odysseus: Hero Or Villain? - 412 Words | Bartleby He was a role model for his son Telemachus who wanted to be like him. If Odysseus took the cheese and left, his men would not have had to dealt with Polyphemus. He never failed to remember his main goal was to get back to his wife and son in Ithaca.Odysseus was brave enough to conquer these many obstacles on his way home. He first shows his Valiant behavior during the war in Troy, he cares about his crew and survives the war. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. Free Essay: Odysseus: Hero or Villain - 663 Words Odysseus For example, when his men are tempted by the Lotus eaters or captured by Circe, Odysseus rushes to save them without hesitation. 13181950) Selwood, Fleet, GU51 4QT. In another place in the book, six of Odysseuss best men are killed by the six headed beast Scylla. In fact, he puts the duty he has towards his people before his own needs, which is demonstrated when he leaves Dido behind in Carthage as he knows that it is his destiny to found a new city in Italy. With the help of the gods he can survive things most men couldnt., I think Odysseus fits the title of a hero very well. All the little kids probably looked up to him but now kids don't even know his name. Evidence proves that. Odysseus: Hero or Villain Essay - 650 Words | Bartleby These statues usually period pieces from Italian or French masters such as Donatello or Praxiteles were always sculpting realistic visions of the Gods such as Hermes. Diverging from previous studies, Odysseus presents himself as a strong leader throughout this epic poem, but the characteristic that appeared the most is his encouraging, Odysseus, son of Laertes, king of Ithaca is not what most would call a hero, he cheats, he steals, and he lies, none of which happen to be ideal qualities. At first his wife did not recognize him which filled him with rage even though he should be happy that his loyal wife wants to make. He wasn't thinking about his wife and son. Odysseus doesnt deserve the title of a hero because he made bad decisions that affected his crew poorly, Athena did almost all of the work in getting him home, and he cheated on his wife multiple times throughout his journey home. One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. Odysseus might think he was performing a heroic action but in actuality he was performing an act of selfishness. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. Many times in the epic he manipulates others, commits foolish acts and is full of hubris. He was a villain and there is no doubt about it. Humans make mistakes, and seeing Odysseus failures humanizes him and makes him more realistic.

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