Marissa Mechling Mrs. Kehl Western Classics Literary Analysis 1 Due: 22 March 2012 Odysseus: Epic Hero or Not? What is a hero you may ask? Merriam-Webster states that a hero is a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability; an illustrious warrior; a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one who shows great courage; the principal male character in a literary or dramatic work; the central figure in an event‚ period‚ or
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In the epic poem of "Beowulf" the main character is the hero in the land of the Geats and the Danes. Beowulf is helpful‚ courageous‚ and determined. He proves to be the bravest and most daring. On his journeys he shows how being a hero is not only determined on brute strength‚ but by interior qualities as well. Beowulf is helpful to the Danes by freeing them from their 12 long years of panic and terror. He lends his services and defeats the monster Grendel to save the kingdom from it’s restless
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An Epic hero Epic heroes are characters in an old poem or story that people can relate to for admire. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer‚ Odysseus is that epic hero. Odysseus faced many difficult situations as an epic hero‚ and made some bad decisions as an ordinary man‚ both which show his strengths and weaknesses. One part of the poem that shows how Odysseus is an epic hero was when he sharpened an olive tree and jabbed it in Polyphemus’s lonely one eye‚ so him and his
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A true epic hero has many very defining characteristics. Usually you will find this hero to be the alpha male. ’ With an almost super hero personality‚ epic heroes are extremely above an average human being. This character must be of noble birth‚ and as a result‚ this gives them great respect and many resources. There is a deep reverence for the gods and this helps the hero through tough times. An epic hero is bravery than the other characters. They are willing to take bigger risks and reap greater
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Odysseus: One of the Greatest Epic Heroes An epic encompasses many unique qualities of which are both consistent and concurrent with the authors style and manner of writing. Homer’s The Odyssey is a prime example of an epic with a well-developed epic hero. In this case‚ the hero is the epic’s namesake‚ Odysseus. Odysseus is undoubtedly the hero of this great epic; however‚ some have posed doubts as to whether he is deserving of such a noble and eminent title. Odysseus has the poorest fortune
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In the epic poem Beowulf told by the Anglo- Saxons‚ the main character Beowulf shares some of the qualities that traditional heroes have. He shows bravery‚ fairness‚ responsibilities‚ and ambition. Throughout the whole poem‚ Beowulf’s actions characterize him as a hero. He puts himself in harm’s way to protect his people and the people of Herot from the wicked monster Grendel. Beowulf never once ran from his battles against the monsters he faced. This shows the reader that he is truly a heroic figure
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When one hears the word "hero"‚ what first comes to mind is usually a fictional character created by a comic book company or a children ’s book. Did you know that Odysseus‚ the main character of Homer ’s Odyssey is the original epic hero? In fact‚ most of these characters are ultimately based on Odysseus. The definition of an epic hero has been pondered practically since the dawn of time. According to Aristotle‚ a true epic hero must show certain qualities in their actions. These qualities include
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who performed larger than life acts and then boasted about them. Beowulf was a son‚ a king‚ and a hero. He would protect and battle all kinds of monsters and dragons just to make sure he kept his people safe and happy. Beowulf‚ was a man with many different characteristic traits. He demonstrates certain characteristics of a hero because he had responsibility‚ respect‚ trustworthiness‚ generosity‚ strength‚ power‚ and courage. A hero is one who places himself or herself at great risk while performing
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Beowulf is capable of deeds of great strength‚ Great warriors‚ and focus supernatural foes and regions. Like many heroes before there is epic twist on how the hero takes place to overcome such task. Beowulf fits the place of all three categories that proves how he meets the characteristics of a hero. Beowulf risks his life of glory and for the greater good of his pride and people. However‚ within his battle with Grendel he was capable of deeds of great strength from the battled itself. “He twisted
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The Epic Hero That Was Not The general populous has hailed Odysseus as the epitome of the epic hero for several centuries‚ but to the modern reader‚ he comes off as anything but. While he was extremely driven by one goal‚ getting back home to his family‚ he performed some not-so heroic deeds on his quest and once he arrived back in Ithaca. 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
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