Hero Paper Essay Example

the only case where we can exhibit Odysseus’s sound judgment. Another relevant instance of Odysseus’s discerning wisdom is when he forbids his men from eating Helios’s cattle. Odysseus advises his men to pass by the island of Helios, the sun god, but they are adamant and insist on landing. Helios loves his cattle dearly and would take vengeance severely to anyone who so much as touches his livestock. Helios would never let any harm befall on his beloved bunch.

The men have many supplies on board the ship, but after enduring several days of immense storms, they start to run low, and now they are beginning to build up hunger. Nonetheless, Odysseus tells them, “ ‘the cattle are not for [their] provision, or [they’ll] pay dearly for it’ ” [l. 855-856]. Even though he must be dying of hunger, he makes his men swear not to touch the cattle because it would not be worth it in the end. Odysseus knows that if anyone eats Helios’s cattle no one would get away with it.

It just wouldn’t be good karma. Although the men grow weak and eventually devour the cattle anyway, Odysseus never gives in to his physical pain because he’s fully aware of the consequences. Odysseus embodies the attribute of sagacity blatantly when he undergoes these two predicaments. He shows us his experience in his wise actions.

Even in today’s society of Spidermans and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, I think we can all take a lesson from a true hero who, despite never had any powers, became known to all of the world.