Odysseus Is A Hero Persuasive Essay
Would Odysseus be considered a hero today? The Odyssey, written by Homer, presents Odysseus as an unmatched warrior and quick-witted. Most modern-day heroes are courageous and intelligent. Heroes act for the good of others. While Odysseus is cunning and arrogant, the Odyssey proves that Odysseus is a hero because of his great bravery, wisdom, and charisma.
As revealed in the Odyssey, Odysseus possesses an excessive amount of bravery. Odysseus in Part 1 of the Odyssey, faces enormous cyclops and a daunting cave. Odysseus conspires a plan to escape the cave. In the Odyssey, Odysseus says, "Now, by the gods, I drove my big hand spike deep in the embers, charring it again, and cheered my men along with battle talk to keep their courage up: no quitting now" (9.323-326). Odysseus is executing his plan by stabbing Polyphemus' eye out. Odysseus follows through with the plan and courageously goes after Polyphemus with a stake. Odysseus, when facing a challenge, never backs down. Odysseus proves that he is an epic hero who possesses both brave and courageous.
Throughout the Odyssey, it is brought to light that Odysseus possesses the trait of wisdom. Odysseus continuously outsmarts mythical creatures and escapes from these creatures' layers. In book 10 of the Odyssey, Odysseus follows Hermés instructions and enters Circe's palace. Hermés instructed Odysseus to take a potion, where Circe would not change Odysseus into a swine. In the Odyssey, Odysseus says, "If you, you really want me to eat and drink, sent them free, all my beloved comrades - let me feast my eyes" (10.426-428). Odysseus knows that he needs to please Circe, but that he needs to converse with her in a way that benefits him. Odysseus uses his wisdom to bargain with Circe and to free his been. Odysseus once again shows that he is a modern hero who maintains exorbitant amounts of wisdom.
Additionally, in Part 2 of the Odyssey, Odysseus proves that he has charisma through his infectious amount of confidence. Odysseus is confident that the Greek gods and goddesses will help him kill the suitors. The confidence that Odysseus showed in this scene inspires Telemachus to help his father. This inspiration of confidence is also called charisma. In Part 2 of the Odyssey, Odysseus says, "Athena, counseling me, will give me word, and I shall signal to you, nodding: at that point round up all armor, lances, gear of war left in our hall, and stow the lot away back in the vaulted storeroom" (16.1133-1138). Odysseus is confident in the guidance of Athena. This confidence inspires Telemachus to help his father kill the suitors. This infectious confidence is also called charisma. Odysseus proves that he is a modern hero through his charisma.
On the other hand, some people might say that Odysseus does not possess the traits of a modern hero. This counterargument makes sense because Odysseus is cunning and arrogant. In the Odyssey Part 1, Odysseus says, "Cyclops if ever mortal man inquire how you were put to shame and blinded, tell them Odysseus, raider of the cities, took your eye: Laertes' son, whose home's on Ithaca" (9.457-460). Whenever Odysseus said this to Polyphemus, it marked the fate and end of Odysseus' men. However, Odysseus is also possessed with bravery, wisdom, and charisma. Therefore, Odysseus is considered a modern hero today.
Though Odysseus is known for being cunning, Odysseus proves that he is a hero because of his excessive amount of bravery, wisdom, and charisma. It is important to note that no hero is perfect and that all heroes are full of flaws. Every person or character that is considered to be a hero possesses the traits of bravery and wisdom. Although Odysseus ultimately is the reason his men are killed, Odysseus tries his best to act for the good of others. Odysseus was a hero to many, time after time. Lastly, every hero has a sense of duty and wants to act for the good of their loved ones. This is a modern hero.
