Ms. Gross
English 1
14 May 2011
Epic Heroism Homer was one of the greatest poets to ever walk the earth. He was also known for his great epics. An epic is a long poem that tells the story of what the Gods or important people did in the ancient times. In The Odyssey by Homer, he bases his great epic on the king of Ithica. Homer’s epics characteristics is based on heroism (bravery, strength, and intelligence). In The Odyssey Homer gave this honor to Odysseus, King of Ithica. One major characteristic of heroism is to have bravery,. An example of Odysseus’s bravery is, “ My heart beats high now at the chance of action, and drawing the sharp sword from my hip I went along his flenk to stab him where the midriff holds the liner (p.663 line 289-292).In the quote Odysseus risks his lie for his men to save them from the Cyclops. Another example of his bravery is, “Odysseus arrowed him under the chin and punched up to the feathers through his throat” (p. 665 line 1234-1235). In this quote Odysseus is taking back what belongs to him, his home. These quotes are examples of Odysseus’s bravery because in one quote he risks his life for his crew in the other he overthrows the people that have over taken his home while he has been gone. A second important characteristic to epic heroism is strength. An example of Odysseus’s strength is “ I drone my big hand spike deep in the embers, charring it again “ (p.665 line 668-669). This is an example of Odysseus’s strength because he says he spiked a giant. Another example of Odysseus’s strength is, “Nine days I drifted on the teeming sea before dangerous high winds “( p.658 line 195-196). Odysseus claims in this quote that he can withstand any kind of weather. In these quotes these are examples of strength because he claims he can defeat a giant and withstand any kind of weather . The final and a main piece of epic heroism is intelligence . An example of his intelligence is, “ If I killed him we perish there as well, for we could never move his ponderous doorway slab aside” (p.663 line 293-295). In this quote he shows his intelligence because in this scene if he would have killed the Cyclops he and his men would have never been able to move the doorway causing them to be trapped forever. Another example of Odysseus’s intelligence is, “My name is Nohbdy: mother, father, and friends call me Nohbdy “ (p.665 line 360-361) In this quote he shows he is smart enough to out think a Cyclops. In these quotes he shows intelligence because in the first quote he decides to wait for the perfect chance to strike the Cyclops , in the other quote he Calls himself Nohbdy so the Cyclops wont know his real name. So as you can see, an epic is a long poem that tells the story of what the Gods or important people did in the ancient times. Homer’s epic heroism is based on what most people believe a hero is made of, bravery, strength, and intelligence. So as shown Odysseus is that figure of an epic hero.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Bruce and Bob organize Black LLC on May 10 of the current year. What is the entity’s default tax classification? Are any alternative classification(s) available? If so, (1) how do Bruce and Bob elect the alternative classification(s) and (2) what are the tax consequences of doing so?…
- 853 Words
- 4 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Odysseus and I demonstrate bravery in various ways. The first way Odysseus demonstrates bravery was when he wasn’t scared to approach the Cyclops to give him some wine. Odysseus said, “Cyclops, try some wine. Here’s liquor to wash down your scraps of men” (904). This shows bravery, because Cyclops could of had Odysseus as a snack but Odysseus thought of a different way and gave the Cyclops some wine to make Cyclops drunk. Although Odysseus gave Cyclops wine, he also managed to poke his eye out. He “ bored that great eye socket while blood ran out around the read hot bar” (906). This shows courageous because Odysseus did poke Cyclops eye out. While he was drunk and asleep. Odysseus was courages that he yelled back to the cyclops to tell him…
- 172 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
From the epic poem by Homer, The Odyssey, Odysseus lack heroism presented in his actions. His success is due to the fact, he is able to intelligently apply himself in dire situations. However the majority of feats are unnecessary, as he tends to indulge in these predicaments due to his selfishness and curiosity. For example, at the time of Lotus Eaters, Odysseus sets course to the Lotus Eaters to discover who are natives of the island. His curiosity ended up of 3 of his men getting paralyzed and brainwashed by the Lotus Eaters.…
- 327 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The external conflicts that Odysseus overcomes show that he is highly courageous. For example, the episode with the Cyclops proves he is clever because he tricked Polyphemus into thinking that his men were sheep. Another example of Odysseus' braveness was his encounter with the suitors. He was very strong and confident which caused him to fight the hundreds of suitors and win even though it was only he and his son against…
- 325 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
I believe that Odysseus had mental and physical strength and it helped he become an Epic hero. He was away from his family and his Kingdom for twenty years and did not lose hope on going back home. Odysseus spoke to his mother while he was in the Land of the dead I really think that took mental strength to do. Odysseus knew that six of his men would die , he did not tell them because he knew that they would stop rowing in that direction found in book 12 lines (680 -690).…
- 418 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
In Homer’s Odyssey, it is my belief that Odysseus is\ is not heroic mostly because (focus on one character trait). For example, (choose one example from story or movie that supports your claim).…
- 102 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
“The Odyssey” , by Homer is an epic poem telling the journey of Odysseus on his way back home to Ithaca. Homer wrote the Odyssey to show how heroic Odysseus is and how he served as a model for all his people. His message to the people was that it takes more than just strength to be a hero. All heroes have different qualities that define them and Odysseus had the traits of a H…
- 307 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The Antebellum Period occurred from 1820-1860. It was a period in history where abolition was using and separation between abolitionists and supporters of slavery became apparent. While the abolitionist movement is one of the well known social reforms to have occurred, there was also the Horace Mann and the Public School Movement which fought for the equality in education. There was also the Temperance Movement which called for the prohibition of alcohol.…
- 889 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
To start, Odysseus was developed with standard Greek heroic traits. First, Odysseus was courageous in the face of opposition, as shown by his encounter with Charybdis and Scylla. The protagonist of The Odyssey commanded his crew to row onwards in the face of the monsters, showing his courage. He was also intelligent, as he devised a plan to escape the wrath of Polyphemus. Odysseus made the Cyclops drunk with his liquor before blinding him and allowing his crew to escape on the underside of the sheep of the island. Finally, the main hero of the story was perseverant, as illustrated when he left Ogygia, battled Poseidon’s storms, and made it to King Alcinous’s island.…
- 684 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Tom wondered for what seemed to be the millionth time why Dectives were required to dress like wall-street bankers or stock analysts. At least that was the expectation in public, however the moment he had the office to himself, he unknotted his tie, slipped off the linen suit jacket, and undid the top button of his shirt, then sat back in his chair, raised his eyes to the ceiling, and tapped the tip of a ballpoint pen against his teeth. That was Tom's usual mode of concentration and contemplation, and so intent was the man's focus on the new case that all else slipped from his mind, even the recollection that he'd texted his wife. Therefore, the sudden familiar sound of her voice, accompanied by the enticing aroma of barbecue, startled him, and he immediately shot upright. The sight of Lila elicited a smile that only widened with the greeting and kiss. "Sorry baby."…
- 566 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
What is an epic hero? Homers’ “Odyssey” is about an epic hero named Odysseus and his quest home. “The Odyssey” begins after the Trojan war had left Odysseus trapped, pointlessly seafaring for 10 years after angering Poseidon, the god of the sea. He tries desperately to return home to Ithaka and his wife, Penelope, and newborn son, Telemachus. Odysseus then has many hardships upon which he overcomes through his intelligence and wit. Odysseus is an epic hero because he is intelligent, he listens to the god’s advice, and he is witty; able to think on his feet. With the help of the gods he can survive things most men couldn’t.…
- 751 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
A common trope in Epic Greek stories is the masculine and strong hero that frequently uses his strength to get out of situations. This means that, in the physical sense Odysseus can be considered a great hero. He overcomes all the extreme dangers within the book such as wondering for…
- 513 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Odysseus is not a modern day hero because he tricked his men into thinking that he has logos. He convinced his men to be as brave as he is when they were going to fight through scylla. He does this because he knew he whould not get eaten while his men whould. as shown in this quote he gives his men ethos to get them ready “Well, I walked up and down from bow to stern, trying to put heart into them, standing over every oarsmen, saying gently, have we ever been in danger before this.” after he told them this they went to scylla and fought. Odysseus also has bravery when he stabbed the cyclops in his eye, he told him that his name is nobody to trick him. he also disguised his men as sheep so that they could get out of the cave. But one reason that is…
- 465 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
In addition to being selfless, heroes are also brave. In “The Odyssey,” Odysseus shows bravery by stabbing the Cyclopes’ eye and in “An…
- 508 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
We need heroes in our society, or in any society, because they give us someone to model ourselves after. The average human being, however pushed around or caged in they may be is unwilling to brave the dangers inherent to resolving the problems that plague them. Crime may overwhelm a city, but we do not care until it affects us personally; and even then we only usually worry about whatever facet of it has impact on our own life. We are inherently selfish creatures, and are possessed of a vile need to protect our own before, or even at the cost of, others. However, in the image of a superhero we see somebody who is willing to sacrifice themselves in order to improve our lot. Whether this is a fictional superhero like Batman or Spiderman, or a real life hero such as a soldier who throws himself on a grenade to save those around him does not matter. What matters instead is that we are given role models that exemplify what we know we should morally do, but what we often cannot make ourselves do. We see somebody take the initiative and right the wrongs, despite the dangers to themselves. A society without superheroes is a society without hope, where the human condition inflicts despair and misery alone. Without somebody, real or fiction, to model our behavior after, we will only continue to behave as selfishly as we can. Every religion is based on this ideal, from Christianity to Buddhism to Islam; we follow the example of someone who sacrificed him or herself for a greater cause, and in doing so we improve the lives of those around us.…
- 1334 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays