Odysseus Essay

Elsa Schmiedbauer
Odyssey Essay
Sophomore English
20 May 2008
Odysseus is a hero because he has the ability to strategize, his triumphs over his shortcomings and his perseverance. These characteristics are what make Odysseus an archetypical hero. For these reasons he is a great man although he is not without flaw. Still it is these imperfections that make Homer’s work of prose relatable; on top of all this Odysseus has an excellent supernatural guide.
There are about a thousand different times that Odysseu’s witticism saves him, through this tale of tribulation. The reader’s favorite being his disguise as a suppliant, to test the suitors, the maids and Penelope. Therefore allowing the Prince Laerities to discern who the hazy brine who is and who is not a respectable person. Especially when he tells Melanthos, after she puts him down, "Just wait a minute you [w]itch and I will see what Telemachos has to say. When he hears what you have said he will chop you into mincemeat" (210). Immediately after these test he concocts up with his immense power of reason, the finer points of his plans. Later with the help of his son Telemachos he kills the 101 suitors.
Yet as mentioned before he is not perfect but he rises above his unworthy deficits. Against all odds his ego gradually abates away. An example of this is when he has to humble so Arête and Alcinoos will speed his return, to Ithaca. Not to mention how he lets go of his pride and self-love to starve rather than eat the lotus-flowers. By the by, this fruit if eaten would make one very improvident. It is stated that "As soon as they tasted the honey sweet fruit they thought no more of coming back to [them] with news but chose rather to stay there with the lotus-eating natives and chew there lotus, and goodbye to home" (102). Many times our hero must feel indignant for the gods, who allow the Earth shaker to bring mishap after mishap upon him. Truly he has these feelings but he doesn't allow these feelings to overshadow his zeal for going back to Ithaca, However he does often lament his misfortune. Man times Odysseus has tears in his eyes but through the duration of the story he only lets them flow freely twice. Once when he was at the swineherd’s house in Ithaca and Telemachos discovered who he was. The second time was when Penelope discovered Odysseus’ true identity.
Without determination and solidarity our beloved hero would never have made it half as far as he did. Therefore his heroic qualities can shine through, as in when Odysseus meet Nausicaa he thought, "Art though Goddess? Are you mortal? If you are goddess, one of those who rule the broad heavens, I would liken you most to Aretemis the daughter of Zeus almighty, so tall, beautiful and fair " (76), for she was very comely. He was not immune to Nausicaa's appeal, and it took willpower to keep from having a tryst with her. Odysseus knew that he needed no distractions, and the last thing he need was to be held hostage by her father.
To sum this up Odysseus was a man in a world full of boys because of his studious attributes, and euphoric triumphs over lapses in judgment. Lastly the Prince of Ithaca’s grit and stone solid tendencies are the peculiarities are that allow Odysseus to be restored to his rightful place as king, husband and father. A story such as this is hard to get through because of the old fashion style of literature it is, but if endured The Odyssey, is very worthwhile.