is odysseus a hero or villain

Homers Iliad and Odyssey are defining and seminal works that have an enduring legacy on literature, art, and society in both the modern and ancient world. On the other hand Polyphemus, the monster, is made to be hostile, beast-like and dimwitted. He may have super hero qualities such as extreme strength and cleverness but he doesnt embody them the way one should. He put his own men in danger just because he wanted to become famous. Due to the many unfaithful and self-centered decisions he makes in the story, Odysseus is not a hero. From Villain to Hero explores the reception of Odysseus in philosophy, a subject that so far has been treated only in tangential or limited ways. For example, when Odysseus and his men approach the giant he offers him liquor to wash down your scraps of men (Homer 991). All depictions in Ancient Greece and Rome were truly to better enhance the world's view of the artistic human form. The archetype of heroism allows, most people, Odysseus is believed as a hero. He would have killed her thinking she would spoil his plan. He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. Throughout the novel The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus continuously shows his personality of being an admirable hero to everyone by using strategy instead of strength. Odysseus goes through his life believing he is the best. Odysseus has some good traits, some bad flaws, and has been in some ugly situations, but overall he is a true hero. The Odyssey depicts his ten-year nostos (homeward journey) after the Trojan War until he finally retakes his throne on Ithaca. Would Achilles be judged as a hero in modern times? Need a custom essay on the same WebOdysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. Odysseus said then, at last , I mounted circes gorgeous bed. (Homer 10.386). This shows that Odysseus had mounted Circes bed and that he had a affair with Circe. Odysseus portrays his selfishness right as the book begins and this shows how truly incompetent of an individual he is. The Odyssey: Odysseus Quotes | SparkNotes He rushed to save his men for honor. Odysseus, the crafty ruler of Ithaca is not a hero because of his lack of many important heroic qualities. He is unfaithful to Penelope many times throughout the book. He has been cheating on his wife by sleeping with another woman. Although Circe told Odysseus to steer clear of the area, Odysseus wanted to be known as the man who survived a Sirens song. In conclusion, Odysseus throughout his actions proves to be not only veil but a villain. What a hero is a person that will give everything that they have to save another person from any harm. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. During his journey Odysseus used what he has learned from is mistakes to return home and kill the suitors of his wife. He is consistently referred to with the epithet a man of many ways (compared to the swift-footed Achilles), demonstrating that Odysseus heroism is due to mental rather than physical strength. 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. In a way, Odysseus is a hero with strength, wits, and cunning who dominates the largest beasts the planet has to offer. He is superhuman. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not a good leader. In the epic poetry, The Odyssey, by Homer, Odysseus exhibits his arrogance, foolishness, and his lack of leadership in which it leads to him going home by himself. On the other hand, he does not seem much like a hero because he was unloyal by having affairs on Penelope. Each archetype provides an example of what was moral,heroic,and frightening. THE STUDY CLUB - JSTOR Odysseus is difficult to identify as a hero because of his many vices. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. He was a role model for his son Telemachus who wanted to be like him. He plays with the lives of his men with no regard for the well-being or their families. Odysseus again chooses to ignore the intelligent advice given by the gods, and finds out that hard way that Eurylochus was correct. Penelope didnt need saving either. 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. Odysseus Odysseus has stolen from people, raped women, and murdered people when it all could have been avoided. Another plan he implemented was to kill the suitors which is also a success because Odysseus and Telemakos themselves kill over a hundred men without an injury to themselves .Odysseus is a quick-thinker whose resourceful ideas save many lives. What are some reasons why Odysseus is or is not a hero? 1. 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? He was also clever and dedicated to all his plans and ideas to conquer creatures and return home. However, it is true that Odysseus was kept as Calypsos captive for Odysseus 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. 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 I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. This can be said for most of Odysseus's actions in the story, as his main objective is to reach his home. He earns the respect of his men during the Trojan War by making good sound decisions and caring about the welfare of his men. protagonist He also leads his men into their own fates. In many cases he only saves himself, he is selfish, and he isnt humble. 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. 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. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. He leads his followers into lousy situations where many people were hurt. The, Odysseus is perhaps more closely paralleled to a modern-day hero like Batman or Iron Man. In homer's Odyssey the main character Odysseus is a person who only tries to help himself. 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? And he was also cocky and arrogant with his overconfidence which caused tension between him, the Cyclops, and. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? The Iliad contains a multitude of these heroes, since the focus of the action is on the Trojan War and various characters stories within this narrative. However most myths are in this way, there doesn't seem to be many relatable things in these stories but the overral moral connects to the reader making the myth more realistic. In one of Homers classic epics, The Odyssey, Odysseus is admired by many people as a man who has intelligence, nobility, and confidence. He didnt consider failing at all because he never stopped to think about his decision, he rashly makes a choice and is forced to suffer the. WebOdysseus may be considered a hero because he is high born, a brave fighter, an intelligent trickster, and one who earns favor from the gods. Why Is Odysseus Not Considered A Hero? - FAQS Clear What makes someone a hero? War itself may also be considered an antagonist in the poem war is what separated Odysseus from his home, and he spends much of the poem battling the traumas he and his men suffered in the Trojan War. For instance, Odysseus says that Circes luxuries appealed to his and his mens battle-hardened spirits. Though you still serve the public, Their strike of disgust enhances the self-fulfilling prophecy. Odysseus, the hero in Homers epic poem The Odyssey, fought in the Trojan War and embarked on a ten year journey to return to his kingdom, Ithaca. After 7 years on this island he finally decides to go home to has son which he has never seen and his dog who is nearly dead due to old age (not to mention he barely does anything with his dog and the first thing he says to his son is basically to ask him to risk his life for Odysseus's house). The most heroic attribute of Odysseus was that he was smart. Odysseus Heading home, to Ithaca, Odysseus is faced upon many obstacles that he and his men try to overcome, but in the end substantiate that Odysseus is a villain. Odysseus clearly believes that he is above the rules that most people in society chose to, Odysseus tends to make rash decisions and often finds it impossible to control his impulses. Odysseuss first situation was with Kalypso. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. 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. He has no regard for anyones feelings but his own, and he believes nothing and no one can harm him, not even the gods. The hero: In the plays The Odyssey, Oedipus Rex, and Antigone the heroes face torturous journeys that put their will power to the test. The Odyssey is an amazing piece of literature. Achilles, Odysseus, and Aeneas are undoubtedly heroes but they would all certainly feel out of place in a superhero movie of today! Perhaps not. Odysseus, Hero or Villain? Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. He is different from Achilles and Odysseus in that he is a distinctly Roman hero and therefore upholds specifically Roman values, which have already changed from the values that were important in Homers society. We say put out again on good salt water. Yet, I refused. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is an archetypal hero. He is not a selfish hero: instead, his drive is to his people and to found a new city that will eventually become Rome. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. One strong archetype in the Odyssey is the hero archetype. He is intelligent, yet boastful. A hero is a person who is recognized or idealized for his or her outstanding achievements and noble qualities. The opening line of The Odyssey introduces Odysseus by his epithet, the man of twists and turns.. He does not deserve the credit for his getting home from the war at all. wait until the sender of the message realises that the Athenian tragedians also engaged in the vilification of Odysseus and he is far from the hero, neither the protagonist or the morally correct one, in several of the most moving pieces of the golden age of Athenian literature Odysseus is the villain in SO many stories. Odysseus, the protagonist of Homers The Odyssey, is not a good example of a modern hero. One of these plans was his ingenious idea to trick Polyphemos, which shows he is a hero by saving countless lives. Written about two thousand and seven hundred years earlier, the Odyssey is still influencing modern storytelling today. Although he is brave and sometimes smart, so is a villain. Odysseus rashness comes into play again when the ship rolls past the Sirens and Odysseus demands that he listens to their song. The hero's journey is about self-discovery and self-development. 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. These characteristics impact the characters day to day, or in the books case, the quests. A hero is a figure undertaking a quest (Odysseus). Odysseus is different from other heroes. His pride clouds his mind and he wants the fame of being the only man to have survived the Sirens song, he never once considers what might have happened had he failed. Hero; Of course Odysseus. thinks of himself as a hero. On almost any page you turn to in the epic, you can find some act of greed or foolishness coming from Odysseus. Odysseus is an epic hero because he is intelligent, he listens to the gods advice, and he is witty; able to think on his feet. In the Odyssey, Homer values the characteristics hospitality and cunning, but he objects bad leadership. He is shown to be clever but flawed, as his pride leads him to reveal his identity to Polyphemus in Odyssey 9, enabling the cyclops to pray to Poseidon and curse the rest of his journey back to Ithaca. Odysseus is thought of as a hero in the physical and spiritual sense because of his bravery while facing the many dangers of creatures, goddesses, and many other things for almost 20 years trying to get home to his wife and son. While he and his men were on the land of the lotus eaters Odysseus could have left, After defeating the Cyclops and heading back out into the sea he stood on his ship mocking the Cyclops. You make my stiff heart know that I am yours. Penelope never once considered cheating on Odysseus so why couldnt Odysseus pay her the same courtesy. When Odysseus is on the journey to Ithaka, he neglects to let his crew know how long they will be staying on each island. There are ups and downs to every situation, and through reading The Odyssey, readers can connect parallels between Odysseus experiences and lessons learned in their own life. Now, is Odysseus a villain? 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. One of the many situations Odysseus survives is his encounter with Skylla. The main reason why I am written is so that you can know Odysseus is a hero because how he helps other people before he would help himself., Odysseus is not a hero because he let down a lot of people. WebOdysseus inherits many character traits that make a good hero, but the ones that truly outshine the rest are how Odysseus is very rational and has a very sharp intellect. Joseph Campbell once said, A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. True heroes are those who do something for others rather for themselves, Odysseus doesnt exactly show this trait in The Odyssey. A modern hero is recognized by the goodness in their heart. Odysseus He was also loyal to his men. 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. 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 represents what being a hero is actually all about. They can do many small acts of heroism and never become acknowledged as a hero, yet when they do something horrendous they are labeled as a villain. So if his gifts and talents are god's power then is he really a hero at all?, Certainly, people can argue both ways and support their arguments from evidence in the reading. Odysseus is finally home, on Ithaca, and is then helped by Athena and disguises himself as an old beggar. Superman, for example, is considered a hero because despite not having any personal stakes in Earth as he is a superpowered alien he consistently tries to save the world and the people living in it. He knows that the boulder that is blocking the entrance is heavy so he doesn 't kill Polyphemus. Odysseus is not a hero because he killed a lot of men, whom he didn't know, to save his family. Although he earns the trust of his men while in Troy, he loses it on his perilous journey home. This is a sign of a true, Odysseus portrays himself as anything but a hero throughout Homers The Odyssey. The crew relies on their leader to be honest with them when it comes to situations such as these. Is Odysseus A Hero Or A Villain Analysis | ipl.org Odysseus is not a hero because, he is foolish, lacks faithfulness and is consumed by his Hubris and selfishness. Some men were killed by the Cyclops, a huge monster with one eye. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is quite the legend known to people, whether you are high up in the sky with Zeus, or deep in the ocean with Poseidon, everyone knows Odysseus. The first reasons why Odysseus is a hero is because he risks his life for crew multiple times throughout the story. I could not welcome you with love on sight! He is not a hero, however, when his A hero is one who sets a goal in which takes bravery and dedication in order to achieve. Odysseus Hero or Villian - Cecilya Guilbault Odysseus, a Good In myths and stories especially, heroes tend to have supernatural capabilities in one form or another, such as superhuman strength, intellect, or even magical abilities. Odysseus has no reason to save his mens lives but for his own convenience. The main character is a man named Odysseus who displays hero characteristics throughout the book. If you wish to support us, please check out. You can just put effort into it and try as hard as you can. Even though there is a large gap in space between Odysseus travels and the present, human nature and weakness still share the same obstacles. The Odyssey begins after the Trojan war had left Odysseus trapped, pointlessly seafaring for 10 years after angering Poseidon, the god of the sea. Odysseus was also very arrogant to think that he could get past the Sirens. Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. He does not have any supernatural abilities unlike Achilles who is the son of a goddess and so has superhuman strength and speed. ro \hir- ()\ Noun a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic Having his men by his side when he returns seems a trivial thing to him. 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. Theoi The first archetype i 'll be explaining is the hero, characteristics of a hero, sage, and villain. In consequence he possibly endangers the rest of his crew from safely reaching home by endangering himself. Even when Odysseus was thought to be dead, she still puts up with the suitors behavior and refuses to remarry. Even though Odysseus is a troublemaker, he has multiple great characteristics of a leader. 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. Odysseus puts everything at risk in order to get his men home safely. Diverging from previous studies, Montiglio outlines the philosophers' Odysseus across the spectrum, from the Socratics to the Middle Platonists. Odysseus cheats on his wife more than once; it was not a simple lapse in judgment. This quote shows that good people and heros should not seek revenge and should show mercy to their enemies however Odysseus obviously shows no interest in mercy After killing many people and not letting a single person out which many heroes would have especially if the people did not directly mistreat him and believed he was dead which would be a logical thought he finally revealed himself to his wife. An epic hero is on a quest of self discovery, war or some sort of goal. Homer said, But Odysseus shot his right hand out, clutching the nurses throat. The general picture that comes to mind when the word hero is said is the idea of Superman or Wonder Woman; however, a true hero is anyone who tries to make their world a better place. He believes he is always right and will do what he thinks is right, like a villain. In fact, he puts the duty he has towards his people before his own needs, which is demonstrated when he leaves Dido behind in Carthage as he knows that it is his destiny to found a new city in Italy. In the epic poem, the Odyssey told by the one and only Homer, the brave, the godlike human, Odysseus is finding his way home after the big battle victory against the Trojans. No person is perfect, and challenging the ideas of who a hero is reveals the illusion of perfection. Odysseus is no different from the common heroes we hear today. Odysseus, when it comes to his crew and family, is confident, compassionate, wise, and always knows a way to get out of any problem. After Odysseus and his men left Troy they sailed near Ismarus, which is, When we think of someone who is a hero, we think of someone who is idolized for their bravery or amazing achievements; is Odysseus one of these heroes? She only wanted Odysseus to come home and for the suitors to stop eating their food. One trait that Odysseus has is that he is very clever. Odysseus had come up with a plan for his men during the war. Is Odysseus a hero or a villain? Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle because of his actions of sacrificing his men, killing the suitors and being ruthless throughout the Odyssey. If you wish to support us, please check out our range of merchandise, available now on Redbubble. 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. In this case, he is a hero in this story because, Cited: Homer. WebEvidence proves that Odysseus is a villain, because he tries to convince that he was kept unwillingly by Calypso. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, the main character Odysseus is a valiant king who embarks on a life-changing voyage. (19.542-43). He may as well be on Americas most wanted list with all the trouble he was causing. Odysseus is not a hero because he was not humble or good at accepting the help that he received, and he also acted before synthesizing the consequences that he would face in the future. In addition to saving lives a hero should be humble, Odysseus does not fit that description, his hubris is as big as the moon. Some men were killed by the Cyclops, a huge monster with one eye. Odysseus: Hero or Villain - 638 Words | Studymode When Odysseus receives advice, even if it is helpful he tends to ignore it. Odysseus could be considered a hero, but many of his actions say otherwise. He is consistently seen to display piety and is perhaps more closely aligned with our ideals of a modern hero in his selfless motivations, comparable to a superhero like Hawkeye whose duty to family trumps all. In conclusion, Odysseus throughout his actions proves to be not only veil but a villain. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Some people question whether the main character, Odysseus, is a hero or not. A hero consists of anyone who puts their best selves forward in service to humanity. If Odysseus took the cheese and left, his men would not have had to dealt with Polyphemus. In Homers The Odyssey, Odysseus is considered the hero of the story. He is confident and cunning,, Having superb and honorable characteristics establishes one a hero. The Odyssey. The Norton Anthology of World Literature: Shorter Second Edition. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. 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. This hero may be tall and handsome, but he is often arrogant, disrespectful, conceited, and rude. An epic hero struggles and is overwhelmed with difficulties. Largely, the problems with understanding the moral position of Odysseus stem from his immense experience and cleverness, which make him at once mortal and fantastic. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. In The Odyssey, Odysseus allows all of his men to be killed. From him angering Poseidon by blinding his Cyclopes son Prometheus, to Zeus striking down his ship, Odysseus did not have the gods on his side during his journey home. Odysseus was a legendary hero in Greek mythology. Heroism is a concept that has evolved and will continue to evolve over time since it depends heavily on the values which each society covets. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus makes mistakes that causes his men to be killed. He plays with the lives of his men and he is punished for it. I chose these three archetypes because I recognized them the most while we were reading the Odyssey. The only reason Odysseus ties himself up to the mast, when instead he could have simply plugged his ears with wax like the rest of his crew, is that he chooses the jeopardous choice, wanting to "go down in the books" by being the first man to ever listen to the Sirens song and live. They expect Odysseus to make decisions for the well being of the crew. 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. An epic hero is braver, stronger, and cleverer than an ordinary person. Many times in the epic he manipulates others, commits foolish acts and is full of hubris. During this time, did he bother to think of Penelope and how hurt she would feel? Dont married people promise to be faithful, no matter what? Everytime he enters a new island, he does not start telling everyone that he is Odysseus, king of Ithaca. Odysseus, man of exceptional wit, bravery, and intelligence, epic hero The Odyssey written by Homer, is nothing short of extraordinary. Not every narrative has one. He proves then to be a villain by seeking his revenge for the suitors and maidservants that once betray him (696, summary). 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. 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. Kirke tells Odysseus not to fight Scylla, yet he chooses to anyway. That is why he began this trudge across lands in the first place; to be a hero. The mighty Odysseus is many, many things but he is no hero in my eyes. Odysseus didnt tell his crew members that he knew people would be killed by the beast. He tries to take shortcuts and as a result of this is men are killed and his boats destroyed. Being a hero originally means a brave person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.. The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are usually uglier, more evil, and more cunning than anyone we know in ordinary life. Many would argue that Odysseus is more of a villain nowadays, for every instance of his wiliness or feats of strength there are several of venality, vice, cruelty, or selfishness. With Michelles humanitarian work and benevolent attitude, she helps those in need while trying to better society.
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