In the book The Odyssey by Homer, the main character, Odysseus, is depicted as being similar an epic hero. There is a question, though, as to whether or not he actually was an epic hero. I believe that, while he did have a major difference, he had more similarities than differences to the characteristics of an epic hero and therefore was one.
An epic hero is someone who is strong, intelligent and bold. First of all, an epic hero must have physical strength. Strength enables the hero to defeat enemies. Without strength he would not be able to survive as a victorious hero. Epic heroes must also be intelligent. Intelligence is put to use when mere strength is not enough. With intelligence, the hero is able to make more logical actions and not make rash decisions. Boldness is another characteristic an epic hero needs to possess. A hero needs to be strong and intelligent, but if he is not bold he is liable to be intimidated by the enemy, which could cause serious problems. Thus in order to obtain victory easier, boldness is a necessity. Because of these reasons, an epic hero will usually be strong, intelligent, and bold.
Odysseus had several good characteristics, but he also had a bad quality. Odysseus showed that he was intelligent when, on page 904, he told Polyphemus that his name was Nohbdy. Because he did this, he saved his life as well as the lives of his men. This is proof that he possessed intelligence, a good quality. He shows another characteristic, strength, on page 939 by stringing the bow. All of the suitors were unsuccessful at stringing the bow, but Odysseus was able to string it on the first try. This showed his superior strength. Page 908, however, depicts Odysseus displaying foolishness by taunting the Cyclops. Because of this Polyphemus cursed him. This shows that he was foolish, one of his bad characteristics.
The Essay on Beowulf The Hero Dragon Strength Courage
In Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf is shown as a hero with extrodinary strength. This is not what makes him a hero. By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. However this term does not do Beowulf justice. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf's battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that ...
A comparison between Odysseus and the idea of an epic hero shows similarities and a difference. One similarity is strength. Odysseus has superior strength as showed when he strung the bow. This strength is one of the requirements placed on an epic hero. Another similarity is intelligence. He showed intelligence when he tricked the Cyclops. Intelligence is one characteristic that Odysseus has that an epic hero must possess also. Odysseus does have one difference with the epic hero, however, and that is foolishness. Epic heroes do not usually possess foolishness. This difference is one important way that Odysseus is not similar to the typical epic hero. This comparison showed that while he was similar to an epic hero, he does have a major difference.
While Odysseus did have the major difference of being foolish, his heroic characteristics outweigh his foolishness. Thus, Odysseus is an epic hero.
