Character Analysis Of Odysseus In The Odyssey By Homer

In the epic myth The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus takes a twenty year long and perilous journey back to his homeland Ithaka. He must face many physical and mental challenges that makes him worthy of being a hero. The physical qualities that possess an epic hero include immense gallantness and dexterity. This can be seen when “Odysseus had blinded god-like Polyphemus, the mighty cyclops who was Poseidon’s son” (Rosenberg 78). Cyclopes are gigantic and man-eating. To face such a powerful, terrifying monster one must be extremely valiant, a trait that as you can see Odysseus possesses. A task like this also reguires a lot of skill, one must be clever because strength alone will not suffice against a Cyclops. The mental traits that epic
heroes portray are fidelity and will to make sacrifices. On Circes Island Odysseus explains that “This fair haired goddess… would have made me immortal if I had chosen to remain with her. But my heart constantly longed for my homeland and my dear wife, Penelope” (Rosenberg 100). Odysseus gave up the chance to have immortality and stay with Circe, this beautiful goddess. Instead he chooses his wife because he is truly devoted to her, proving his loyalty. Clearly, Odysseus is an epic hero.