Essay Sample on Odysseus is An Epic Hero

Heroes are people who have goals they will overcome any needs possible, to achieve that goal. In Homer’s epic The Odyssey, we are introduced to a hero called Odysseus-a powerful hero who is determined to make it home but has problems along his journey. Odysseus's journey shows his demonstration of bad leadership and selfish decisions throughout his journey which make us question his title of an epic hero.

Odysseus, a leader who is determined to go back home, encounters many tough battles, in which he makes irrational decisions. An example of his irrational decisions is when Odysseus tricks the Cyclops. After Odysseus, attacks Polyphemus injuring his eye, he then later taunts him again while his men are dying in this brutal battle he started In the text it states “He leads his men to the cave then proceeds to taunt the Cyclops making them angry, leading to a battle, that killed some of his men. The text states “Cyclops! “Would you feast on my companions? Punny, am I, in a Caveman’s hands? How do you like the beating that we gave you, you damned cannibal?” (Homer 490-494). Odysseus's action does not represent a brave epic hero, he shows the lack of leadership and the lack of respect of his enemies and men.

Odysseus is seen as a brave leader and unselfish, but along the journey, we start to question Odysseus' title of an epic hero.“But if you raid for beeves, I see the destruction for ship and crew.”An example of his terrible loyalty is when his man raids the beeves “They plucked the leaves that shone on a tall oak-having no barely meal-to screw the victims, performed the prayers and ritual, knifed the kine and flayed each carcass, cutting thigh bones free to wrap in double folds fap”.(Homer 385-390)After his men killed the kine, his men soon later got slaughtered, while Odysseus kept the information from Teiresias, that his men would get killed if they raided the knives, making Odysseus selfish, by not giving valuable information to his crew.

Odysseus' lack of leadership does not make him a terrible hero, he was a hero who saved lives, took leadership into his own hands, and led the Trojan war. Odysseus showed leadership throughout the Trojan war, leading his kingdom to victory, protecting his kingdom, and showing bravery throughout the war. Odysseus being the brave soldier he is shows the lack of respect of his opponents and men throughout his journey. However he leads his men into the cave of the Cyclops then proceeds to taunt the Cyclops, risking his men in danger, for some entertainment.