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Odysseus: Hero or Not

Calvin Coolidge once said, “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” In Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus is a character that gives nothing, and takes everything, and yet he is still viewed as an honorable man in many people’s eyes. However, Odysseus becomes a hero by telling tales of his past voyages and the miserable endings that they possess. For instance, as Odysseus is telling the Phaeacians about his treacherous voyage to the Laestrygonian land, he makes himself appear to be heroic in his actions, because he attempted to get his men out safely. However, all of Odysseus’ actions are really performed in order to benefit Odysseus’ own well-being, not the well being of his crew. The tale Odysseus tells the Phaeacians is primarily told in order to make them perceive him as an honorable hero and also so they will aid him in his journey home.

As Odysseus begins his tale, he explains to the Phaeacians, “Six whole days we rowed, six nights, nonstop” (Homer, 233: 88). By starting his heroic tale with this statement, Odysseus is trying to prove to the Phaeacians that he has determination and bravery. Odysseus then cont


While many people view Odysseus as a great hero and honorable person, the truth is that Odysseus doesn’t care about the lives of others he cares about his life and his voyage home. The only thing he seeks throughout The Odyssey is to return home and kill the suitors who are trying to take over his house and his wife. The stories he tells perceives him as a hero because he is the one telling the story and the only reason he lived through his journey was because he had the help of the gods especially Athena. Odysseus told his sorrowful tale of his adventure to the Phaeacians in order to portray himself as a hero in order for their help in returning home. The ghastly character traits of Odysseus’ non heroism are evident throughout Homer’s epic The Odyssey when pertaining to the character of Odysseus. Do you believe that if Odysseus’ story to the Phaeacians was told by someone else besides Odysseus or if Athena did not help him through his journey he would be looked at as a hero?

and shouted rapid orders at my shipmates:

Odysseus only cares that he gets off the island safely, not whether or not his crew gets off the island safely. If Odysseus was truly an honorable hero, he would be the last one to leave the island, making sure as many members of his crew got on the ship as possible.

Whenever he greets someone, he always makes sure to make it sound like he is a great man. Heroes are out to help others; they are not out to sacrifice everything and everybody in order for self-satisfaction. Odysseus doesn’t seem to have his men’s lives or health in mind, only his own. The fact that he does not care about his men’s survival is proven when he takes his ship with the few men who c

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Approximate Word count = 1153
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)


  

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