Heroism

A detailed Summary of Heroism

Heroism today can be exemplified through various different virtues. To some, a hero could be a great baseball player or musician, to others, a corporate leader or entrepreneur. But what characteristics do these individuals hold that make them a true "hero?" Wealth, social status, or being skilled at a sport might be some, but in the Iliad and the Odyssey, Odysseus (the hero) embraces two very distinct and different characteristics; both of which help define his heroism. It has often been said that the Iliad demonstrates Odysseus' physical strength, as in the Trojan War, and the Odyssey proves his wit and cunning. But the Odyssey does not focus only on the wit and cunning of the hero, but rather combines them with the Trojan War-heroism seen before. These qualities, in different people, could exhibit two very different heroes, but when seen together with Odysseus, in the Odyssey, it redefines heroism altogether.

The Iliad clearly demonstrates Odysseus' physical strength, much of which carries over into the Odyssey. But in the very first lines of the epic, we see the focus of the Odyssey is on the wit and cunning of our hero, "the man of twists and turns" (1.1) In various situations throughout the book, we can see that having t

In this particular instance, even Odysseus' epic strength could not have saved him from his dire situation. He probably could have slain the giant in melee combat, but that would leave them stranded behind the massive rock covering the entrance. He realized that he needed to find another way. So to say that Odysseus is a hero solely because of his strength and courageous war-time exploits would be a false conclusion based on only a small aspect of the character. Odysseus is much deeper than that, full of brawn and brains.

Although the emphasis is on Odysseus' wit, there are moments when sheer strength can be enough to gain victory. After Odysseus has returned home to Ithaca, there is a small matter of reclaiming his wife. Athena and Penelope devise a way to "test [the mens'] skill" (21.6) in an effort to prove who is worthy of her hand. Penelope addressed the men, saying, "I set before you the great bow of King Odysseus now! The hand that can string his bow with greatest ease, that shoots an arrow clean through twelve axes, he is the man I follow." (21.84) Suitor after suitor tried to string the bow, but none were successful. Odysseus, in his guise, took the bow in his hand and examined it, "fearing worms had bored through the weapon's horn with the master gone abroad."(21.441) The other men ridicule him, "Look at our connoisseur of bows" (21.444) sarcastically "wishing him luck." (21.449) "So they mocked" (21.451) but "with his virtuoso ease, Odysseus strung his mighty bow." (21.456) Knowing he would now win back his love, "he snatched a winged arrow lying bare on the board...and drawing the bowstring back...he let fly...never missing an axe." (21.463) Odysseus was the only man able to string the bow. It was his sheer, brute strength that allowed him to be victorious.

Perhaps the most clever part of Odysseus' plan involves their means of escape. His "wits kept weaving, weaving, cunning schemes," (9.471) trying to come up with ways to get out of the cave. The

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Approximate Word count = 1334
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English