is odysseus a hero or villain

Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns. Due to the fact that hes very noble and brave (and in an epic poem), that makes him an epic hero. On many occasions, however, Odysseus makes decisions beneficial to himself alone. Another example of him showing care towards his comrades was when Odysseus warns his crewmen of the potential dangers that awaits them if they happen to harm the cattle of Helios the Sun God. Odysseus left Calypsos Island and began his journey back home. There is a lot of reasonings to both sides, he could be a hero because he was loyal to his homeland and men. 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. Odysseus shows extremely inadequate leadership qualities throughout the story. Odysseus was considered a hero among the people in Ancient Greek times. The first archetype i 'll be explaining is the hero, characteristics of a hero, sage, and villain. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. Odysseus defies the suitors and wins his wife and kingdom back. This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. Though you still serve the public, Their strike of disgust enhances the self-fulfilling prophecy. Because it contains so many and such striking adventures, some have called it an Odysseus surmounts. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. 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. He wasn't thinking about his wife and son. 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. 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 vs Batman - Ancient and Modern Concepts of Heroism - by Mansi Dhokia, Achilles fighting against Memnon Leiden Rijksmuseum voor Oudheden, Odysseus is another prominent example of a Homeric hero. For generations people have been correct to honor the great Odysseus, for his actions along his adventures. During his long and perilous journey home Odysseus shows many heroic qualities that help save his men from many dangerous situations. In this case, he is a hero in this story because, Cited: Homer. Hero; Of course Odysseus. 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. He was also clever and dedicated to all his plans and ideas to conquer creatures and return home. Odysseus is a hero because all he wants to do is go home and protect his family. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as, Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus shows multiple times where he made bad choices due to his hubris.He has shown many careless acts were he only thinks of himself. Achilles is arrogant and selfish: he refuses to fight at the beginning of the Iliad as his honour has been slighted by Agamemnon stealing his war spoils, a captive girl named Briseis. One trait that Odysseus has is that he is very clever. Odysseus then has many hardships upon which he overcomes through his intelligence and wit. If you wish to support us, please check out our range of merchandise, available now on Redbubble. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. Finally, Odysseus is home and after a long journey in which he shows no heroic actions and yet proves to be nothing but a villain, he once again proves throughout his actions that he is a villain. These traits and behaviors are not acceptable for anyone, especially a person considered to be and hailed as a hero. He is a hero because he saves his beloved wife from the suitors that yearn for her (the wife, Penelopes) hand as well as Odysseus thrown; he does this through a battle that ends, these three archetypes the hero, villain/monster, and the damsel in distress. Also if you ask me, yes a hero can commit crimes. He realizes and readily admits that opinions other than his own make complete sense yet he refuses to acknowledge them and ends up dragging others into danger Odysseus himself says My men came pressing round me pleading: Why not take these cheeses, and make a run for it? Humans make mistakes, and seeing Odysseus failures humanizes him and makes him more realistic. Homer was truly the precedent of works to follow from Greek tragedy to Virgils Aeneid, the influence of Homer on the ancient world was undeniable. Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. A hero takes many forms, such as an allegorical hero, a tragic hero, or an epic hero. A hero is someone who is revered for his or her exceptional achievements and bravery. 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. Odysseus should not be considered a hero because he portrays himself as a selfish man that failed his crew, and is controlled by his hubris. 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, Hero or Villain? He loses his entire crew in the process, intentionally sacrificing some of them to Scylla for his own survival. Odysseus; Hero or villain? by Cameron Matt - Prezi They can be villains, scapegoats, damsels in distress, and the hero themself . He fearlessly leads his remaining men home to Ithaca, doing everything in his power to get them back alive and well. With Michelles humanitarian work and benevolent attitude, she helps those in need while trying to better society. WebOdysseus is an epic hero because he cares about his family, he is intelligent and he shows courage and because he shows determination. He is not necessarily up against anything (Hydra is not Hercules' opponent but a task he has to complete). In consequence he possibly endangers the rest of his crew from safely reaching home by endangering himself. 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. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as Calypsos captive for a time. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. While he was extremely driven by one goal, getting back home to his family, he performed some not-so heroic deeds on his quest and once he arrived back in Ithaca. But Polyphemus shouted out to, Odysseus Defines an Epic Hero On a website posted by teachers at Harker Heights High, an epic hero is someone who embodies the values of a particular society. Kalypso, Odysseus only cares about himself and his personal benefits, like a villain. In some parts of this epic poem, Odysseus also displays the characteristic, foolishness, in which that also results in the deaths of a number of his men. He knew he was a villain and somehow still got away with, In the Odyssey, Odysseus is a hero because he is a selfless leader. Even though they disobey him constantly, Odysseus is still loyal to them. However, three stories of his show specific archetype proficiently and repeatedly. 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. The crew tries to get Odysseus to be quiet, but his ego gets in the way, and he tells Polyphemus his name; leading to Polyphemus cursing him and his men to make the journey home slow and painful. He rushed to save his men for honor. So Athena is the real. 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. In "The Odyssey," written by Homer is an epic poem about a man named Odysseus and his crewmates competing against the power of the gods to return to their homeland, Ithaca. (12.270-75). 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. In Homer's Odyssey Odysseus is a character who, sometimes behaves like a proper hero and also as a very self-centered character at other points. The Odyssey, by Homer, has a large range of stories in it. He has no regard for anyones feelings but his own, and he believes nothing and no one can harm him, not even the gods. Evidence proves that. Odysseus is clever by doing this because he can predict that the liquor will make him fall asleep. He believes he is always right and will do what he thinks is right, like a villain. These heros helped anyone they saw in need, even if it put themselves in danger. 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. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? 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 deaths of his men are the result of Odysseus weaknesses. Odysseus was a authentic persuasive speaker and genuinely intelligent. 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. If you wish to support us, please check out. Odysseus, during his quest, is forced to venture through a merciless Cyclops, angered Gods, deeply obstinate Goddesses, the underworld, and determined suitors that are after his wife Penelope. Diomedes, Odysseus, Ajax, and even Hector are all examples of Homeric heroes: they win kleos (glory) in battle by defeating their enemies in killing sprees which display their aristeia (battle excellence) the ability to defeat the enemy is what epitomises a Homeric hero. For example, when his men are tempted by the Lotus eaters or captured by Circe, Odysseus rushes to save them without hesitation. The gods punished him by stranding him at sea for more than ten years without being able to go home. Then Odysseus threatened her. Another way in which Odysseus shows he is a villain is when he finally reunites with his wife Penelope and reacts with rage when she tests him. Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. This is what underpins a modern-day hero, and it drastically differs from the ancient perceptions of heroism. 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. Instead, he charms the people he meets and uses his wise words that cause them to help and pity him. He was very competitive and tried to be better than anyone else and insured his name lived on forever. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. Aeneas is closer to a modern hero, but he is still notably Roman in his motivations, which are removed from our own society. WebOdysseus is Not a Hero for the Modern Age Essay. 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. Circe had warned Odysseus about Scylla to not try and fight her even when she already has six of his men, but he did not listen to her advice and tried to fight her and lost three more of his men. Odysseus said, comrades riven in agony/ shrieking out my name // angler poised on a jutting rock // gasping out their lives. Reflection, Pages 9 (2149 words) Views. WebOdysseus should not be considered a hero because he portrays himself as a selfish man that failed his crew, and is controlled by his hubris. Odysseus puts everything at risk in order to get his men home safely. Is Odysseus a Hero A modern hero is recognized by the goodness in their heart. 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. (19.542-43). Free Essay: Odysseus: Hero or Villain - 663 Words He put himself before his men because he wanted a gift from the cave owner. WebOdysseus, Hero or Villain? He comes home to Ithaca and immediately seeks revenge against the suitors who have been courting his wife Penelope and abusing xenia (the Greeks sacred concept of hospitality). The simple acts of heroism are often overlooked-thats very clear to me not only in war but in peace (source 2). 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. Odysseus should not be considered a hero because he portrays himself as a selfish man that failed his crew, and is controlled by his hubris. One of the many situations Odysseus survives is his encounter with Skylla. However, he has many traits that explain his clouded judgement. Academus Education is an online learning platform providing free Classics Education to students through summer schools, articles and digital think tanks. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. One strong archetype in the Odyssey is the hero archetype. One of the motifs for which Homer has set the precedent is heroes: Homeric heroism is a concept that is widely discussed within scholarship. 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 proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. And he was also cocky and arrogant with his overconfidence which caused tension between him, the Cyclops, and. That is why he began this trudge across lands in the first place; to be a hero. Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. The episode of the Sirens,(Book 12), is one example. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. A hero accepts who he is as an individual, but strives to change himself for the better. Odysseus 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. One of the many reasons I believe this is because he shows that he cares for his comrades. 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. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. In fact, he shows several qualities one finds in classic Greek heroes, such as Achilles, Hercules, and Theseus. WebEvidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. Odysseus First example is that he mounted Circes, a woman that helped Odysseus, bed. Diverging from previous studies, Odysseus, in Homer's Odyssey, is considered an ancient hero. Throughout his journey, he loses almost all of his men, but Odysseus finally arrives home, concluding his prolonged twenty-year voyage. He plays with the lives of his men with no regard for the well-being or their families. Even though there is a large gap in space between Odysseus travels and the present, human nature and weakness still share the same obstacles. They expect Odysseus to make decisions for the well being of the crew. Another decision Odysseus makes to survive is not eating the cattle of Helios while on Thrinikia, his crew members choice in eating the hallowed cows results in their death, but Odysseus knew the consequences and did not touch a cow. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca after ten years of war in Troy. The themes of warfare, human emotion, loss, and struggle are enduring and can resonate with anyone across the world. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. Odysseus has these qualities and more. 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. A good example of a modern hero would be the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Evidence proves that, Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. He has been cheating on his wife by sleeping with another woman. He spends five long years on the Island of Calypso and another five with Circe. Odysseus, man of exceptional wit, bravery, and intelligence, epic hero The Odyssey written by Homer, is nothing short of extraordinary. Also this shows that he is mean because he yelled at the nurse to not tell anyone who he really is. 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? In conclusion, Odysseus throughout his actions proves to be not only veil but a villain. He not only slays all of the suitors but also the slave girls who slept with them, an act of violence that is morally abhorrent by modern standards. The defining characteristics of Odysseus in classical literature are interpreted in wildly different ways by different authors: he is portrayed as a hero in Homers The The hero that is portrayed in the Odyssey is a man named Odysseus. In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. Odysseus is able to see who is loyal and who is not and take his revenge with the suitors never knowing who. Odysseus from the Ancient Greek epic The Odyssey by Homer is often considered a hero, although he does not share the same characteristics that most people who are considered heroes in todays popular culture have. Odysseuss actions may seem selfless and/or heroic however they are actually being mistaken for acts of selfishness. 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. Odysseus is not a hero because he constantly puts his men in danger and makes decisions without thinking. Odysseus rashness comes into play again when the ship rolls past the Sirens and Odysseus demands that he listens to their song. For generations, heroes have always fascinated people and people have strived to achieve certain qualities of their heroes. On the island of Cicones,and with his encounter with Polyphemus, Odysseus learned that bragging can bring great misfortune. He earns the respect of his men during the Trojan War by making good sound decisions and caring about the welfare of his men. thinks of himself as a hero. Third example is that when the nurce, Eurcilia bathed Odysseus when he was wearing a disguise, she found a scar on him that he got years ago. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men The archetype of heroism allows an individual to serve as the primary example of what society deems, archetypes the hero, villain/monster, and the damsel in distress. Odysseus is not a hero because he killed a lot of men, whom he didn't know, to save his family. Harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy.(The Odyssey line 3). Odysseus is a different type of hero to Achilles: his heroic qualities stem from his quick wit and clever tactics rather than brute strength in battle. Hes also a very famous archetype for The Hero. He proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). Six of his crew members do perish but through his hard work and dedication he survives. Odysseus also used these qualities to aid and strived to prevent oodles of his men from dying throughout the Odyssey, which establishes Odysseus to be viewed as a modern day hero., Lizeth Marin Honors Introduction to Literature Period 3 18 April 2008 Odysseus: Hero or Villain? 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. When Odysseus is on the journey to Ithaka, he neglects to let his crew know how long they will be staying on each island. The majority of those who read The Odyssey consider the protagonist of the story, Odysseus, a hero. This story is about his travels home and how he got caught up in other business. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. 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. The Greeks valued strength in battle, brutality, and vengeance as ideals that a hero should uphold. Throughout the book of the Odyssey, Odysseus does some things that may have been wrong, but in his mind was he doing the right thing? With this presentation, I will explore Odysseus' heroic role in the ancient world and whether or not he could be considered a hero for our modern culture. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. Odysseus feels he is always the leader and no one can tell him otherwise. Hero or Villain 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 especially in the later books of the Aeneid which focus on war he is still seen accruing kleos by going on a killing spree, and partakes in considerable bloodshed and vengeance; notably, at the end of the Aeneid, he kills Turnus unnecessarily to seek revenge for the death of Pallas. I armed myself long ago against the frauds of men. 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. In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. No person is perfect, and challenging the ideas of who a hero is reveals the illusion of perfection. Odysseus says, Then he tore them apart and gobbled them up like a lion in the wilderness 48. The only life Odysseus saved was his own. 2765. Now, is Odysseus a villain? A hero acts in the context of fate and divine forces. Athena, however, aided him when he arrived to his homeland. Although Odysseus does cheat on Penelope with Kalypso, he still remains loyal, and his love for her hardly wanes. protagonist He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. Odysseus is able to see who is loyal and who is not and take his revenge with the suitors never knowing who, Odysseus is also disloyal to his wife who stayed faithful to him despite the circumstances. A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. (XIX, lines 163-190) Penelope is experiencing so much pressure from the suitors and her family, but she still refuses to succumb and does not cheat on. Hero His most distinguishing trait, however, is his sharp intellect. He tries desperately to return home to Ithaka and his wife, Penelope, and newborn son, Telemachus. Another example that proves he is not a hero when he was acting selfish by sacrificing his crew men. Odysseus is considered an epic herofor his role as King of Ithaca, his participation in the war, and his journey home. An epic hero is braver, stronger, and cleverer than an ordinary person. This shows that Odysseus had mounted Circes bed and that he had a affair with Circe. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. Odysseus is in between. In the age of postmodernism, there are instances where a person can be both a hero and a villain. He is not a selfish hero: instead, his drive is to his people and to found a new city that will eventually become Rome. He tried at great measures to help his men return home to Ithaca alive. This shows that he is selfish because he doesn't care about the nurse. Odysseus is a good hero because he is rational when times get tough. Odysseus: Hero Or Villain? - 412 Words | Bartleby So at this point, Odysseus decided that kill the Cyclops will in turn be killing his men so instead he jabs a shark stake into the Cyclops only eye blinding the Cyclops and saving him and his men. He was known for his defining When people think of a hero, they think of a tall, handsome, loyal, brave, and a type of man that could do no wrong. WebOdysseus is a villain because he is stubborn in Polyphemuss cave, disrespectful to the gods, and is unfaithful to his wife. Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. Despite all of the suitors, Penelope stays loyal to Odysseus. One form of selfishness Odysseys shows is adultery. 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. However he had respect for the gods (Athene), a strong sense of duty, (will always go back for his men) showed great honour and was highly regarded by his men and peers. These are the hero archetype, the monster or villain archetype, and the hero's journey archetype. When Odysseus slaughters the Trojans, he starts to act like he was greater than any god. The Odyssey: Odysseus Quotes | SparkNotes When the men said Why not take these cheeses, Archetypes are characteristics or characters that can define a hero. Odysseus :: The Trickster Hero - Greek Mythology
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