When considering the impact of ancient Greek literature, it is imperative to acknowledge the importance of The Odyssey and The Iliad, both created by the poet Homer. The Odyssey is centered on the character Odysseus as he returns from war and journeys back to his home in Ithaca. The Iliad focuses on the Trojan War and is largely centered on the fearless warrior Achilles. However, Odysseus plays an important role in both pieces of literature and leads the reader to believe that he truly personifies the image of a Greek hero. With his countless victories and cunning abilities it is no surprise that Odysseus is described as an epic hero.
Defining the word epic in its self possesses a challenge because of the widespread interpretation that includes numerous characteristics and traits. Heroes participate in long journeys and face multiple enemies that try to defeat them along the way, which eventually ends unsuccessfully and results in the heroes returning home to their families and communities. An epic hero illustrates certain traits, and exemplifies certain morals that are valued by the hero’s society. Odysseus possesses many of these ideal traits that make him a true representation of a Greek hero.
When comparing him to heroes such as Achilles, Odysseus shows his charisma, intelligence, and reputation is far more favorable. Though at times Odysseus’ judgment and morals may be questioned; his quick thinking, self-mastery, versatility and intelligence make him the ideal representation of an epic hero. In her article “Quests for Immortality and Identity… ” author Katherine King defines a leader as a “versatile man” (King 105).
The Essay on Odysseus Epic Hero
The question has been raised as to whether or not Odysseus, the hero of Homers The Odyssey, is an epic hero. An epic Hero portrays many classic properties, including being very strong and courageous. Odysseus is an epic hero, because he portrays many of these and other traits, such as having a goal that is foremost in his mind, and having descended into the underworld. An epic hero is almost ...
She expands on this definition and directly relates it to the actions of Odysseus. One example is his keen ability to devise new plans and strategies as a situation demands.
This is obviously a key to his success; along with the ability to endure “woes” and other hardships that might disrupt one’s ego. These are both leadership traits that are essential for anyone, including Odysseus, to maintain success (King 105).
Ancient Greek writings demonstrate leadership importance through the traits of the heroes. (Madrid 7) In another examination of Odysseus’s leadership, author Patrick Dobel states “A leader’s presence enables people to achieve what they would not have without the leader present” (Dobel 216).
Therefore, a leader is someone who is
motivated but still allows their ethics to play a part in their decision making. A leader’s identity is determined by his achievements and his community is dependent upon his success. Odysseus’ men are constantly looking to him for guidance and this is something he wisely provides. His men rely on his decisions completely, and are even willing to risk their lives for him. A leader must act in such a way that if they do end up dying, their actions and achievements make their life honorable rather than being a disgrace to their community.
This is something Odysseus both understands and personifies throughout both works of literature. Another trait that Dobel associates with a leadership is the importance of self-mastery (Dobel 219).
Self-mastery or self-control is one of the foundations of leadership that the other traits and characteristics are built upon. To excel in the Ancient Greek world, self-control is something a leader must master in order to maintain control over his men. An example of self-control can be found in Book IX of The Odyssey. During this part of the adventure, Odysseus and his men wash ashore of the land of the Land of the Lotus Eaters.
The Essay on Eyed Giant Odysseus Arrogance Men
There are many challenges throughout the Odyssey the most significant being his arrogance that Odysseus must overcome in order to reach home. In book 9, beginning with line 113 Odysseus and his men begin a journey in the land of the Kyklops. This set of challenges for Odysseus shows the reader the battle between arrogance and wisdom within Odysseus. The choices that Odysseus makes during this ...
Here Odysseus’ men are baited into eating the lotus fruit and “lost the will to report back” and instead preferred to “stay there, munching lotus, oblivious of home” (The Odyssey, Book IX 94-96).
With his self-mastery, Odysseus was able to refuse the fruit and regain control of his men and drag them back to the ship and continue back on their way to Ithaca. Finally two of the more unassuming, yet important, traits of an ideal leader are bravery and curiosity. Curiosity is a characteristic that is generalized and is often not described in relation to a true leader.
However, those in power must be able to look beyond the obvious and search for answers that are sometimes hidden. This is where curiosity and bravery are combined because without one you cannot have the other. Bravery is something that comes after the initial curiosity because if the leader is not brave enough to follow through with the initial thoughts, there cannot be actions or solutions. Odysseus shows his bravery and curiosity numerous times throughout Homer’s poems, but one instance in particular stands out. In The Odyssey, he disguises himself as a suitor for Penelope which allowed him to observe the other suitors.
If his true identity had been known he would not have been able to show his skills with his bow. By observing under disguise, his curiosity was soothed as he discovered what had been going on with Penelope while he was gone. These observations soon led to destruction when Odysseus was able to use his bow and arrow. From then on he and his son Telemachus were able to use their bravery and regain the castle from the suitors. (Dobel 217) Just like Odysseus, Homer’s character Achilles is well known for being brave and heroic. Homer portrays Achilles as a man with great strength and a true passion for fighting.
Both Achilles and Odysseus represent the Greek ideals of what makes an epic hero. Their sense of duty, courage, and bravery is what allows them to be heroic leaders in their respective journeys and battles. They both encounter personal struggles and tests, but both have come out stronger. For example, Odysseus endures constant trials along his journey to return to Ithaca. He encounters turbulent weather, the loss of his men, and the continual wrath of Poseidon. Likewise, Achilles’ entire existence is a mixture of war, hardships, and trying to establish himself as an immortal Greek hero.
The Essay on Odysseus: The Qualities of a Hero
“The Odyssey” by Homer is one of the most recognized epics in world literature. It traces the decade-long journey of Odysseus back to Ithaca after he fought in the Trojan War. He was able to survive the dangerous ten-year voyage which he experienced and safely arrive home. Indeed, Odysseus is a truly admirable character, but what what makes him especially laudable is his physical strength, ...
Although they both follow different paths, the countless trials that they face led them both to become great leaders and solidify their status in Greek history. Though they share several similarities, their differences are both interesting and varied. One example is Achilles, who is an honorable man in the beginning of his journey but after the death of Patroclus, he becomes completely irrational and only desires to destroy his enemies. Odysseus is far more level-headed and truly desires to return to his home and his family. As a warrior, Achilles is known for being impulsive and revengeful.
He is completely focused on demolishing his opponents and often lacks the human emotion to care for those around him. ” In the Iliad, Achilles’ rage was more of a force of nature than an emotion. Even that early in our understanding of anger, a question can be raised whether Achilles’ desecration of Hector’s body was his losing control or taking control. ” (Caulfield 30) In contrast, Odysseus is a fearless warrior but still maintains a close bond with the other soldiers and his family in Ithaca. While Achilles abandons his home in search of fame and glory, Odysseus endures endless trials in an effort to return home to his family.
Achilles has no reserves about sacrificing the lives of his men in the heat in battle. However, Odysseus makes genuine efforts to protect his men and truly mourns over the loss of those that are so close to him. In one particular instance, Achilles tries to force his men into battle despite their exhaustion and hunger. Odysseus steps in and reprimands Achilles for this selfish behavior. “Not so quickly, brave as you are, god-like Achilles…No fighter can battle all day long, cut-and-thrust till the Sun goes down, if he is starved for food.
Odysseus then goes on to explain to Achilles that “Even though his courage may blaze up for combat, his limbs will turn to lead” and “his knees will overtake him quickly as the man will continue to struggle on. ” (Bloom Book XIX) In this meeting between the two it is noticeable that Odysseus is much more knowledgeable and caring towards his men and knows exactly what to do when it comes to dealing with the struggles of battle. Obviously both are infinite characters with heroic tendencies, but the leadership and emotion of Odysseus set him apart as a true representation of an epic Greek hero.
The Essay on Ulysses Everett Odysseus Odyssey Men
Here are the similarities that I found between the two... It's "based on Homer's Odyssey", but having only a very foggy memory of the Odyssey I only got a few references: the washer women who seduce Pete = Sirens, John Goodman = the Cyclops, the blind guy on the railway = Tiresias the blind seer. The "Lotus-Eaters" chapter in the Odyssey is re-invented as the baptism scene in 'O Brother'. Here, ...
An epic hero possesses many traits that make them reliable and likeable among their communities. They are strong, brave, and consistent in their actions to make them the elite that the others look to in time of need. Odysseus has shown that he is one the best heroes of all time when by showing his strength, courage and motivation throughout the adventures that he endured in The Odysseus. Just like Odysseys, Achilles has also proven his status as a hero by showing that he is relentless in battle and determined to win at all cost.
Though that have many similarities that make them both excellent warriors, Odysseus proves to be the stronger of the two. Unlike Achilles, Odysseus is able to maintain his temper, and use that throughout the battles he faces. Odysseus knows how to care for his men and understands that for him to be the successful leader and hero that he is. The little things that make Achilles lose his mind and go into destruction mode; Odysseus uses those same things to devise a plan that makes him victorious in the end.
