is odysseus a hero or villain

The, Odysseus is perhaps more closely paralleled to a modern-day hero like Batman or Iron Man. Odysseus had come up with a plan for his men during the war. The deaths of his men are the result of Odysseus weaknesses. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. Being a hero originally means a brave person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.. 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. 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 has been cheating on his wife by sleeping with another woman. An epic hero is braver, stronger, and cleverer than an ordinary person. A hero is one who sets a goal in which takes bravery and dedication in order to achieve. 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). The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. While this is undoubtedly a noble deed, Odysseus slips up more than he does any good, therefore making it unfit to call him a hero. He is selfish, disloyal, hypocritical and harsh; everything a hero is not. 1. WebOdysseus ( The Odyssey) Gilgamesh ( Epic of Gilgamesh) Beowulf ( Beowulf) Character interviews are another great way to get to know your hero especially a dark and complex anti-hero. There was one obstacle where they fell He was a villain and there is no doubt about it. Well in the story of The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus has a lot of honorable characteristics, but he also has a few immoral characteristics. Well drive the kids and lambs aboard. What heroic qualities does Odysseus show? They can do many small acts of heroism and never become acknowledged as a hero, yet when they do something horrendous they are labeled as a villain. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? One of these plans was his ingenious idea to trick Polyphemos, which shows he is a hero by saving countless lives. In this case, he is a hero in this story because, Cited: Homer. In The Odyssey, Odysseus along with his men try to go back home to Ithaca but due to Odysseus nature, only he actually returns alive. Odysseus was also very arrogant to think that he could get past the Sirens. He has no regard for anyones feelings but his own, and he believes nothing and no one can harm him, not even the gods. Kirke tells Odysseus not to fight Scylla, yet he chooses to anyway. Although there has been some evidence that points to Odysseus not being a hero, this essay will give three reasons why Odysseus should be respected as a hero. These heros helped anyone they saw in need, even if it put themselves in danger. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. The main character is a man named Odysseus who displays hero characteristics throughout the book. Some are very strong, some are very smart, some are very rich that they can afford to create gadgets to make them do unnatural things, like Batman and Iron Man. An epic hero is on a quest of self discovery, war or some sort of goal. Also if you ask me, yes a hero can commit crimes. This shows that he is really selfish because instead of sacrificing his life he was thinking about him self and he killed his crew members. In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership. Dont married people promise to be faithful, no matter what? 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 is superhuman. While Odysseus many adventures are very exciting, he spends a considerable amount of time cheating on his wife (with. Reflection, Pages 9 (2149 words) Views. Towards the begging of the story Odysseus and his men get trapped in a cave by a Cyclopes The Cyclops is eating his men so Odysseus decides he must kill the Cyclops in order to save the remainder of his men. After 7 years on this island he finally decides to go home to has son which he has never seen and his dog who is nearly dead due to old age (not to mention he barely does anything with his dog and the first thing he says to his son is basically to ask him to risk his life for Odysseus's house). Odysseus has a large and gallant reputation to fulfil, but when he first makes an appearance in the book he is crying on Calypsos island. Odysseus makes some substantial mistakes, thus leading to the failure to his men. Is Odysseus a hero? He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. WebOdysseus is Not a Hero for the Modern Age Essay. Lets just say he stabbed Poseidons son, had his crew turned into pigs, faced a six-headed monster and whirlpool, and that is to say the least. Those who hurt you will eventually get their own karma. In the epic poem, the Odyssey told by the one and only Homer, the brave, the godlike human, Odysseus is finding his way home after the big battle victory against the Trojans. But Polyphemus shouted out to, Odysseus Defines an Epic Hero A modern hero is recognized by the goodness in their heart. Evidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. 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. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. Odysseus left Calypsos Island and began his journey back home. 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. Odysseus, hes known as a war hero on his way back to his homeland, who ends up going on a ten year long journey due to unforeseen circumstances. 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. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. Even when Odysseus was thought to be dead, she still puts up with the suitors behavior and refuses to remarry. Diverging from previous studies, 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. He proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). He takes much conceited pride in Being loyal, clever, and dedicated are examples of being a heroic person. Kalypso, Odysseus only cares about himself and his personal benefits, like a villain. Odysseus said then, at last , I mounted circes gorgeous bed. (Homer 10.386). Therefore, Odysseus is not a hero. Odysseus is in between. Odysseus doesnt do this only once through his journey back, he does it again with Kalypso for seven years and by will: He lay with her each night, for she compelled him. (V, 163). He even risks his own soul for them. This allows readers to truly see Odysseus other side. thinks of himself as a hero. The general picture that comes to mind when the word hero is said is the idea of Superman or Wonder Woman; however, a true hero is anyone who tries to make their world a better place. 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. Odysseus is a villain because he is stubborn in Polyphemuss cave, disrespectful to the gods, and is unfaithful to his wife. These events lead to him losing crew members and putting them into dangerous situations, elongating his voyage home, and putting his integrity at risk. A prime example of this is when Odysseus receives advice from Kirke about Scylla. He leads his men into trouble, kills the suitors and maidservants without mercy, and betrays loyal wife. Odysseus is not a hero because he killed a lot of men, whom he didn't know, to save his family. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. WebOdysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. However, once again, Odysseus motivations are ultimately selfish: the Odyssey revolves around his homecoming and the lengths to which he will go to return home. Each archetype provides an example of what was moral,heroic,and frightening. The gods punished him by stranding him at sea for more than ten years without being able to go home. Athena, however, aided him when he arrived to his homeland. 2765. 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. He didnt consider failing at all because he never stopped to think about his decision, he rashly makes a choice and is forced to suffer the. Some men were killed by the Cyclops, a huge monster with one eye. On Ithaca Odysseus never brags to the suitors and is able to enter his house with the Antinous and the other suitors knowing his real identity. 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. 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. Then Odysseus threatened her. He also deeply cares about the welfare of his men on their return trip to Ithaka. However, once again, Odysseus motivations are ultimately selfish: the, Moving away from Homer, another hero of ancient epic is Aeneas from Virgils, Academus Education is an online learning platform providing free Classics Education to students through summer schools, articles and digital think tanks. Odysseus feels he is always the leader and no one can tell him otherwise. Odysseus says, Then he tore them apart and gobbled them up like a lion in the wilderness, Odysseus the main man The Captain is he really a hero or a villain? He was also courageous as well as confident., On the subject of heroism, Maya Angelou once wrote that I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people (Angelou). Of course, though, he never tells his loyal wife Penelope about his love affairs with Calypso and Circe. When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. With Michelles humanitarian work and benevolent attitude, she helps those in need while trying to better society. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. 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. sword from my hip I went along his flank to stab him where the midriff, There is yet one more difference between Odysseus and the other two heroes which may help to find the reason why his tale does not end, Lizeth Marin Honors Introduction to Literature Period 3 18 April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? Would Achilles be judged as a hero in modern times? Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. Another example of Odysseuss ignorance toward people is when Eurylochus tells him not to go onto Kirkes island because he knows the crew would be turned into swine. Odysseus is not the epitome of an epic hero., Hero? Odysseus goes through his life believing he is the best. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. She came up with a ruse so she could stall having to remarry: Ruses served my turnwith honor. 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. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. During Odysseuss journey it becomes evident that Odysseus is a hero like the legends say, he meets all the criterias of being a hero such as being brave, smart, fighting against evil, and protecting others from danger. Odysseus rashness comes into play again when the ship rolls past the Sirens and Odysseus demands that he listens to their song. The Odyssey is the perfect story for examples of archetypes seeing as it has so many of them. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. Odysseus tends to use strategy over strength to be a hero when it comes to challenges. Modern day depictions of heroes are influenced by popular media such as comic books, movies, and TV.
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