Odysseus As An Epic Hero Analysis Essay Example
Odysseus As An Epic Hero Analysis Essay Example

Odysseus As An Epic Hero Analysis Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1172 words)
  • Published: May 21, 2018
  • Type: Analysis
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The difference between a regular hero and an epic hero can be found in the adventures and actions they take on their journey back home. In Fagle's translation of Homer's The Odyssey, Odysseus (also referred to as Ulysses in Claybourne's The Adventures of Ulysses) exemplifies the traits of an epic hero. He distinguishes himself from ordinary individuals by fearlessly navigating through unfamiliar territories, demonstrating extraordinary bravery and tremendous valor. Moreover, the gods occasionally intervene to assist him in his mission.

The text discusses how Odysseus gains fame through his adventures after the Trojan War. His extensive travels prove his worthiness as an epic hero. During his journey back to Ithaca from Troy, Odysseus encounters unfamiliar lands and discovers their unique cultures. One of the first places he and his crew visit is

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the Land of the Lotus-Eaters, situated on the northern tip of Africa, a continent they have never before experienced. In this location, Odysseus discovers that the Lotus-Eaters provide his crew with food that reduces their desire to return home.

Despite not helping the crew return home, the stop teaches Odysseus the importance of avoiding resting in the Land of the Lotus-Eaters in future voyages. Additionally, Odysseus and his crew visit Sicily, where they encounter the Cyclopes. According to Fagle's translation of The Odyssey, Odysseus expresses his desire to personally investigate these people, saying, "‘Stay here, my brave fellows,’ said I, ‘all the rest of you, while I go with my ship and exploit these people myself: I want to see if they are uncivilized savages, or a hospitable and humane race…’" This shows that Odysseus not only travels to mysteriou

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places but also has a curiosity about learning about the locals and their customs.

He discovers that the Cyclopes are perilous creatures and must rely on his cleverness to outwit Polyphemus, the Cyclops who ensnares Odysseus and his crew. Furthermore, this legendary protagonist embarks on a journey to Hades in order to consult Tiresias, the sightless seer and purveyor of truth. From this, Odysseus truly demonstrates his status as a seasoned epic hero by venturing into an entirely different realm and distinguishing himself from ordinary individuals through acts of courage.

Despite facing perilous monsters throughout his journey to Ithaca, Odysseus relies on his exceptional bravery and physical power to overcome them. Immediately after departing from Troy, the crew arrives in Sicily, where they come across the Cyclopes, with Polyphemus being the first encountered. In their quest for sustenance and wealth on the island, the towering Cyclops imprisons the men within his cave and even feasts upon some of them.

In the midst of worsening circumstances, Odysseus cleverly devises a plan to blind Polyphemus in order to convince him to remove the boulder blocking their escape route. It is noteworthy that only Odysseus comes up with this strategy and positions himself closest to Polyphemus during the blinding act, demonstrating his exceptional bravery compared to the rest of the crew. Additionally, he willingly follows Circe's advice, who warns about the irresistible allure of the Sirens—a group of immortal maidens with enchanting melodies as sweet as honey. Despite Circe's instructions for everyone to avoid the Sirens' captivating songs, Odysseus chooses to listen to them himself. He even commands his crew: "'...First she [Circe] said we were to keep

clear of the Sirens...but she said I might hear them myself so long as no one else did. Therefore, take me and bind me to the crosspiece halfway up the mast; bind me as I stand upright, with a bond so fast that I cannot possibly break away…'" According to Fagle's translation of The Odyssey, Odysseus instructs his crew to secure him tightly on the ship despite knowing that succumbing to the Sirens' captivating chants poses a risk.

Furthermore, Odysseus demonstrates his bravery and strength when confronting the formidable sea creatures Scylla and Charybdis by himself. Scylla possesses six heads with three rows of teeth, while Charybdis is an immense whirlpool that consumes and regurgitates the dark water three times a day. The presence of both monsters poses an enormous danger to any passing vessel, especially for a lone warrior such as Odysseus. Ultimately, Odysseus not only survives the wrath of Scylla and Charybdis unaided but also manages to navigate his way back home by clinging onto a branch until Charybdis releases his boat.

After being regurgitated by the sea monster, Odysseus is left without oars and must rely solely on his arms to row away. This is a feat that only a few men could accomplish alone. The gods occasionally interfere in Odysseus' journey, either helping or hindering him. Due to his superior strength and intelligence, the gods take an active interest in Odysseus' journey, providing assistance or making him endure suffering. Among them, Athena plays a pivotal role in supporting both Odysseus and his family.

An epic hero is the only one to receive significant aid from a powerful goddess like Athena.

She passionately declares, "There is only one true ruler of Ithaca! He is no coward. He has combat experience with monsters, murderers, witches, whirlpools, giants, and even death itself. He has emerged victorious in order to confront the arrogant fools who tried to take his wife and ruin his kingdom. Are you here to defend these fools?"

Athena, from Claybourne's The Adventures of Ulysses, defends Odysseus to the families of the suitors and argues that it was justice, not murder, that led to their demise. Additionally, when Calypso holds Odysseus captive on Ogygia for seven years, Zeus sends Hermes to instruct her to release the hero. Initially, Athena convinces Zeus to allow Odysseus to return to Ithaca, highlighting his importance by prompting Zeus to intervene and release him from Calypso's grasp.

In addition, during Odysseus and his crew's time on Circe’s Isle, they receive assistance from Hermes. Hermes gives Odysseus the Moly plant so that he can consume Circe’s poison without being turned into a pig. This allows him to save his crew and leave the island. If Athena, Zeus, and Hermes had not helped him, Odysseus would not have been able to successfully return home to Ithaca. According to Fagle’s translation of Homer’s The Odyssey and Claybourne’s The Adventures of Ulysses, Odysseus meets the criteria of an epic hero by courageously undertaking various adventures on his journey back to Ithaca from Troy.

Primarily, Odysseus demonstrates his status as an epic hero by venturing through vast territories, even reaching places beyond our world, such as Hades. Additionally, this legendary hero possesses the ability to independently conquer formidable creatures like Charybdis and skillfully escape their

grasp using just his arms. Moreover, Odysseus receives aid from the mighty Greek gods and goddesses, as exemplified by Hermes rescuing him from Circe with the miraculous Moly plant. Despite enduring encounters with formidable monsters and the tragic loss of his entire crew, Odysseus ultimately earns his reward by reuniting with his beloved wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus.

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