One characteristic that Odysseus had to be an epic hero was that he was highborn. Odysseus was Prince Laertiades of Ithaca. The goddess Circe knew he was highborn and addressed Odysseus with his formal name "Prince Laertiades..." (p. 120). When his men feared that he was dead and Odysseus returned to them unharmed, from their hearts they said, "You are back again my prince! How glad we are..."(p.120). Also, because Odysseus had not returned home to Ithaca, many men tried to wed his wife, Penelopeia, so that they could rule his kingdom.

Odysseus was also an epic hero because he had human weaknesses. One of his weaknesses was that he was arrogant. Even after he defeated Polyphemos (the Cyclops) Odysseus stayed longer just so he could taunt him. He "...wanted to shout out again

...although [his] comrades...tried to coax [him] not to do it" (p.110). Odysseus, against his crew's wishes, shouted, "...Cyclops! if ever a man asks you who put out your ugly eye, tell him your blinder was Odysseus!" (p.110). Another human weakness of Odysseus was that he had a bad temper. When Eurylochos refused to go back to Circe's mansion, Odysseus "...thought for a moment that [he] would draw [his] sword and cut off his head..."(p.121). If his men did not stop him, Odysseus probably would have killed Eurylochos and therefore lost a good man because of his short temper. Lust was another weakness of his. For Seven years Odysseus and Circe were lovers. Because he stayed with Circe, Odysseus prolonged his return home to Ithaca. Odysseus had many human weaknesses.

Homer's character Odysseus will forever be remembered as the first epic hero. Not only did he possess all of the qualities of a hero (highborn, had human weakness, brave, and clever), but he also had that of a leader. "...You man stay here in this place...but as for me, go I must, and go I will." Odysseus always did his best to protect and save his men, who in return were loyal soldi

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Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)