Odysseus The Hero :: essays research papers

Odysseus the HeroFor a character to be an epic belligerent, he must possess cardinal characteristics. These four characteristics include the following (1) he must be high born, (2) the hero must have gentlemans gentleman weaknesses, (3) he must be brave,and 4) he must be clever. In The Odyssey, Homer&8217s character Odysseus was an epic hero because he possessed all four of the characteristics. One characteristic that Odysseus had to be an epic hero was that he was highborn. Odysseus was Prince Laertiades of Ithaca. The goddess Circe knew he was highborn and addressed Odysseus with his formal name &8220Prince Laertiades&8230 (p. 120). When his men feared that he was dead and Odysseus returned to them unharmed, from their hearts they said, &8220You are back again my prince How glad we are&8230(p.120). Also, because Odysseus had not returned home to Ithaca, many men tried to wed his wife, Penelopeia, so that they could rule his kingdom. Odysseus was also an epic hero because he ha d human weaknesses. One of his weaknesses was that he was arrogant. Even after he defeated Polyphemos (the Cyclops) Odysseus stayed longer just so he could taunt him. He &8220&8230wanted to sh let out out again&8230although his comrades&8230tried to coax him not to do it (p.110). Odysseus, against his crew&8217s wishes, shouted, &8220&8230Cyclops if ever a man asks you who put out your ugly eye, express him your blinder was Odysseus (p.110). Another human weakness of Odysseus was that he had a bad temper. When Eurylochos refused to go back to Circe&8217s mansion, Odysseus &8220&8230thought for a moment that he would draw his trade name and cut off his head&8230(p.121). If his men did not stop him, Odysseus probably would have killed Eurylochos and therefore lost a good man because of his short temper. craving was another weakness of his. For Seven years Odysseus and Circe were lovers. Because he stayed with Circe, Odysseus prolonged his return home to Ithaca. Odysseus had many hu man weaknesses.Another characteristic that Odysseus had to be an epic hero was that he was brave. Even though Eurylochos urged Odysseus to not go to Circe and leave the island without his crew Odysseus refused to. He responded to Eurylochos by saying &8220&8230as for me, go I must and go I will.(p.117). Odysseus was a loyal leader, and even though he knew that he faced an impossible task, he went to Circe&8217s to bring his men back to safety.