Odysseus By Homer And Hero Essay Research

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Heroes are almost perfect people. Odysseus was a great Greek Hero. Just like all

of us though, he had exceptional abilities and faults. You notice many examples

throughout the Odyssey that which was authored by Homer. The traits you notice

are his tall tales, and his extravagant curiosity. Also, he is very attractive,

extremely clever, and like most heroes has great ability. Odysseus had few

negative qualities. He told many tall tales throughout the Odyssey. Telling tall

tales wasn?t a good habit, but put for a good cause because the Goddess Athena

requested him too. Being one with following the Gods, he abided by her rules and

told a lie to the swineherd Eumaeus, and told him that he was from out of town

and lied about his name as well. He fooled Eumaeus quite easily but didn?t

realize how hurt people were getting by " Odysseus? " his absence.

Other than the tall tale telling, Odysseus was also very curious. When they

reached the island of the Cyclopes, the curious Odysseus let his curiosity go to

work. He noticed the big cave of Polyphemus and believed they might be nice and

humble towards strangers, but he was wrong! He entered the cave out of curiosity

of the people, and ran into Polyphemus, the giant Cyclops. His curiosity caused

the life of some of his men. On the other hand, Odysseus had many good qualities

though to go along with the negative ones. He had looks, strength, and extreme

ability. Odysseus proved very clever while at the isle of the Cyclopes. After

his curiosity killed some men of his, he desired to escape. He cleverly decided

to get Polyphemus drunk on wine, and to blind his one and only eye! This scheme

worked, but now they had to escape! He came up with the idea to strap him and

his companions to strap themselves to the bottom of Polyphemus? sheep. In the

morning, Polyphemus counted his sheep and guarded the cave well so they could

not escape, but with them under the sheep, Polyphemus was helpless! This clever

scheme worked and they set off for the isle of Aeolus. Odysseus had many women

lusting for him. After all, heroes are almost always handsome. One of the first

women to fall for him was Circe. Circe was a goddess of the wind. She took him

hostage on her island, but his single-mindedness and the messenger God Hermes

helped him survive. Also, the goddess Calypso fell for this hero. She kept him

captive on her island for 8 years hoping he would love her, but he never did.

Odysseus? captors must have proven him attractive if they thought they loved

him. Another of Odysseus? positive traits was his great strength. In many

situations he proved this ability. While floating from Calypso?s island, he

came to the Land of the Phaeacians. While right outside the rocks to this

island, he treaded water for a whole day non-stop until he found a safer passage

into this land. Also, Odysseus showed great strength near the end of this story,

when he helped slay 108 suitors. One hundred eight suitors had moved into

Odysseus? palace and tried to win his spouse. This angered Odysseus to a point

where he killed viciously for his land of Ithaca. Though it is bad to kill, it

is even harder to kill 108 grown men. Through Odysseus? long journey home we

saw all of his traits come out. Traits both good and bad, more good than bad.

This journey remained long because of his love for someone, which is one of the

best characteristics to have.

Homer, The Odyssey; Adapted Classic New Jersey ; Globe Book Company, 1992