Whether fighting bloody battles or saving a helpless maiden in distress, a hero is valued by all. An epic hero carries within himself particularly special traits though. Just as Odysseus from Homer's The Odyssey shows generations throughout his journey, it takes a special level of intelligence, strength, and moral values coupled with respect to be a true epic hero. It takes a special breed of man to make up such a powerful and revered figure. .
True intelligence can be difficult to distinguish in many situations, but superior mentality can usually be easily pointed out when it is present. Odysseus shows his superior intelligence when he deals with the Cyclops, Polyphemus. Odysseus devises a plan to get him and the rest of his men out of the Polyphemus" cave alive, and physically unharmed. Instead of simply killing Polyphemus, which would have left Odysseus and his men stranded because they were not able to move the large boulder that was blocking the doorway, Odysseus blinds Polyphemus and waits until morning when he opens the door to let out his herd of sheep. Odysseus shows his true epic hero colors when he uses his exceptional intelligence throughout The Odyssey. .
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A hero's strength is probably the most valued trait of all by normal standards, especially with an epic hero. Where would Odysseus be without his claim to fame of hanging from a tree above the infamous Charybdis (supernatural being; a deadly whirlpool) for an entire day? Odysseus shows many of his strengths though interestingly enough, he does it once he is back home in Ithaca, not while he is fighting in the Trojan war or trying to get back home. One example of Odysseus's great strength is his bow. Many suitors take over his home while he is away, and not a single one can even string Odysseus" bow, much less shoot it accurately. Odysseus returns home to seek revenge on the suitors that have taken over his house in pursuit of his wife Penelope, and in one smooth motion strings his bow, draws an arrow, and kills the "lead" suitor Antinous with obvious greater strength than any other man present.
