Odysseus the Epic by Homer - 1019 Words

Ever since the beginning of time men and women have told countless stories of adventure, discovery, and conquest. These stories often divulge the grand adventures of epic heroes. An epic hero is someone with abundant importance whose actions involve perilous journeys and marvelous warrior skills in war or battle (Abram). In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus, the king of the great island of Ithaca, is called to fight alongside the Greeks in the Trojan War. The Greeks defeated the Trojans with the help of clever Odysseus’ Trojan horse. Odysseus qualifies as an epic hero because, like all epic heroes, Odysseus undertakes a long, dangerous journey, demonstrates his extraordinary speaking skills by speaking to countless friends and enemies with†¦show more content†¦He curses Antinous after he throws a stool at him, rather than providing him with any sort of food. By the law of the gods, all guests must be treated with respect when they enter your city or home. Although Odys seus’ curse does not do anything to Antinous, this curse frightens the rest of the suitors who believe that the beggar could be a god in disguise. The curse is a demonstration of his incredible speaking skills, and helps prove that Odysseus is an epic hero. While on Ithaca, Odysseus is severely outnumbered and resorts to whatever methods he can think of to defeat them (Frank). His clever disguise as a beggar is a method that Odysseus used to defeat the beggars by entering his palace. Odysseus’ persuasive, magnificent, and incredible speaking skills help prove that he is becoming an epic hero. All epic heroes have to face supernatural or superhuman forces or foes (Allingham). Odysseus also faces and defeats divine gods, Cyclopes, and other supernatural beings. The most dangerous foe that Odysseus has to face is Poseidon, god of the sea. Poseidon puts a curse on Odysseus, making his journey much longer and more difficult than it had to be. Odysseus overcomes Poseidonâ₠¬â„¢s curse by surviving and overcoming the obstacles that Poseidon creates along his journey back to Ithaca. Later in his journey, Odysseus must conquer is the Cyclops, Polyphemus. Odysseus is able to overcome Polyphemus by driving a stick into his eye. Odysseus rams the stick â€Å"deep intoShow MoreRelatedThe Odyssey By Homer, An Epic Of Odysseus948 Words   |  4 Pagesclasses than themselves. Because people wish to appear as the best, they mimic the actions that they commit. Homer represents this in The Odyssey when Odysseus repeatedly engages in unfaithful acts towards Penelope, in an attempt to mimic Zeus, the king of the gods. The Odyssey, by Homer, an epic of Odysseus 10 year journey to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. While Odysseus combats mythical creatures and has to face the unsupporting gods, his wife Penelope and his son TelemachusRead MoreOdysseus As An Epic Hero In The Odyssey By Homer1109 Words   |  5 Pages Epic heroes are featured in literature throughout history. Most notably, the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer is about Odysseus, an epic hero. He is the king of Ithaca who goes to fight in the Trojan War. After 20 years, Odysseus finally returns home, although through many obstacles. Once in Ithaca, Odysseus kills the suitors who plague his wife, along with all other disloyal subjects. He fits the definition of an epic hero, which is an admirable character who displays courage while working towardsRead MoreEssay about Odysseus in the Epic Poem by Homer653 Words   |  3 Pages Epic poems typically contain characters classified as heroic and strong. Odysseus is the main character in this epic poem. He is king Ithaca with a wife and a born son. Odysseus left his home to join in the Trojan War, but his crew was disloyal to gods causing his voyage to be longer than he bargained for. There three traits that Odysseus possesses, and they are the main things that bring him home. While Ody sseus is both heroic and strong, he is also brave, responsible, and faithful BraveryRead MoreOdysseus was the Hero in the Epic, The Odyssey, by Homer827 Words   |  4 Pages Odysseus is the hero in the Epic â€Å"The Odyssey† by Homer. He embodies many characteristics of a typical Epic hero, but he still strays from the norm in some ways, which makes him unique. He values Ithaca, his home, so much that he spends years getting back, struggling the whole way, and doing what it takes to protect his home. Throughout the whole story, Odysseus is trying to get home. Odysseus’s purpose is to get his men and himself back to Ithaca. On the way, he and his crew face many challengesRead MoreThe Long-Suffering and Self-Pitying Odysseus. The Odyssey by Homer This essay anaylyzes Odysses character and his worth as an epic hero.1488 Words   |  6 PagesLong-Suffering and Self-Pitying Odysseus What would it take to make Odysseus, the renowned warrior and the pride of all Greece, cry uncontrollably? Surely, he must be put through some sort of extreme physical pain that no other mortal could survive or perhaps he is even forced to watch the horrendous slaughtering of his comrades. But more often than not, it is only mere words and memories, driven on by self-pity, not atrocities committed against his crew, that make Odysseus cry. Instead of acting as aRead MoreOdysseus As The Epic Hero In Homers Odyssey1019 Words   |  5 PagesOdysseus as the Epic Hero in Homer’s The Odyssey A style of work often explored in Greek literature is that of the epic. An expansive poem of a wide scope centered on and regarding the wondrous deeds of the main, heroic figure, on whose actions depend the fate of a nation. The definition of an epic can be used to describe The Odyssey by Homer. In The Odyssey we are introduced to our main character, Odysseus, the former king of Ithaca and a Trojan war hero who has been trapped on an Island by theRead MoreEssay on The Odyssey, by Homer, is an Epic888 Words   |  4 Pages An epic is a long, episodic narrative poem that recounts the adventures of a historical or mystical hero. Episodic narratives have a larger story broken down into closely connected, but individual and separate sections. Some important qualities that distinguish an epic are unrealistic antagonists, the Gods and Goddesses playing important roles, and a story involving the re-establishment of a proper leader. â€Å"The Odyssey†, by Homer, is an epic because Odysseus (the hero) faces supernaturalRead MoreEssay about Rise of Odysseus974 Words   |  4 PagesEpics were originally oral and later became narratives. The basic guideline for epics is long narrative poems that are about a serious or worthy event. In this case the epic has to do with the events of a hero that represented an entire nation. The events of this hero are dramatic and tae place in a vast amount of area, which makes it more worthy. The epic poem also includes super natural human beings, another requirement for epics. In Homers The Odyssey Trans. Robert Fitzgerald. New York: VintageRead MoreIn What Ways Is the Telemachy Important to the Odyssey as a Whole1553 Words   |  7 Pagesif these first four books were removed? Homer’s the Odyssey is the epic tale of Odysseus’ return home from the battle of Troy, yet we do not truly get to the hero in action until after we are drawn through the story of his son life in the absence of his father in Ithaka. In the first four books, we see how Telemachos, Odysseus’ son, matures and through his eyes Homer shows us the unrest and troubles of Ithaka without Odysseus’ presence. The Telemachy proves its importance to Odyssey showing theRead MoreRoles of the Greek Gods in the Odyssey of Homer1174 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the epic of The Odyssey of Homer, Odysseus, the main protagonist, receives help, and is frowned upon by the gods. There are many gods, and goddesses who play significant roles in Odysseus’ journey back to his homeland of Ithaca. Athena, the gray-eyed goddess, or the daughter of Zeus, is the most predominant goddess in the epic. One of Athena’s roles is to act as a guardian towards Telemachus. In the beginning, Athena travels to Ithaca in the guise of Mentes, and states to Telemachus