Odysseus Odyssey example essay topic

In the epic poem", The Odyssey" by Homer, the protagonist, Odysseus, goes on a ten year Odyssey and, killed throughout the journey, he meets numerous tasks and a few men were subtracted from his crew. He fought Cyclops suitors, been held prisoner despite his many, but feats and his noble character, many ponder about his heroism. Some assume that Odysseus is indeed a hero by his ostentatious tasks in his Odyssey. However, a few people who decide to look deeper in the idea and consider more about the definition of a "hero" believe Odysseus is more on the "nonhero" side.

During Odysseus' journey, he thought a lot of himself and going home to his wife, he was also distracted a lot with women. His selfishness, his curiousness, and the help from the gods doubted Odysseus' heroism. In the dictionary the definition of a hero is, "a person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life". In the Cyclops cave, he waited in the cave for two days because they couldn't get out of the cave. It didn't seem like Odysseus gave much of an effort to free him and his men from the cave. Even if there is no way to acquire a way out of the cave, he could try to hide his men.

The Cyclops ate two of Odysseus' men, if the Cyclops didn't see the small group, then the lives of the four men may possibly be saved. A real hero would usually hide his men while he would stay and try to think of a plan. So Odysseus' lack of sacrifice lost him some "points". Although Odysseus might earn some credit for his brave plan when he stabbed the Cyclops's eye out and gave his name as "Nobody" he also foolishly yelled out at the Cyclops while he was sailing away, his name. His boasting did not help him much.

In fact, the crew had rock thrown at them and also Odysseus was punished. Almost, the whole Odyssey, all Odysseus could think about was his family coming home to his wife and son. He did not think much about his crew, which was why he lacked the heart of sacrifice. Also, Odysseus' Odyssey was delayed many times because of his distraction with women. Odysseus had a great deal of help from the god, Athena and the sea lymph and he was still struggling on his journey. Also, Odysseus seemed to have no knowledge of why he kills.

When he murdered the suitors, it did not seem like he had a reasonable reason to murder them. Although the suitors' behaviors were unpleasant, death was not what they deserve. Odysseus also killed Amphinomous, who was only one out of the many suitors, was a kind man and definitely not worthy of death. So, in conclusion, Odysseus' "unheroic" acts conquered his heroic deeds. Although Odysseus had extreme care for his wife and son, bravery and was noble, he lacked the care for others and sometimes is even a bit absentminded. His distraction and curiosity slowed him down entirely, so sometimes during the Odyssey, he would stay in a place longer than he planned.

Odysseus falls short of becoming a hero and is merely a very brave and noble soul.