Odysseus as the Perfect Hero

Odysseus as the Perfect Hero The epic poem The Odyssey is one of the foundational works of Western literature. As such, it has had a huge impact on the development of many Western ideals and characterizations. Not the least of these areas of influence has been on the concept of the hero, which is touched on by many of the characters in this work.

Chief amongst these is, of course, Odysseus, the winning general of the Trojan War who was ten years in returning home due to the intercession of the gods. Throughout the story of The Odyssey, Odysseus' bravery, certainty, and militancy combine to make him the perfect Western hero. Odysseus' bravery is clearly evidenced in his statement to Calypso that, "If some god wrecks me when I am on the sea, I will bear it and make the best of it" (Book V, par. 18).

He is unafraid of the gods, and willing to face whatever they might throw at him. He proves this time and time again throughout the story. Two notable moments where his bravery is displayed is in his method of defeating the Cyclops, rather than simply running from them, and in his willingness to flirt with danger as he and his crew pass by the Sirens. In both of these events, Odysseus puts himself in extra danger only for the experience and glory, making him heroic.

His certainty and freedom from doubt is another heroic quality the Odysseus possesses. Again, his decision to float past the Sirens with his ears unstopped is evidence of his heroism in this regard (Book XII, par. 5). He shows no doubt but that his course of action is the correct one, and will not listen to any other instruction. The same is true of his eventual slaughter of all of Penelope's suitors, which does not give him a moment's hesitation (Book XXII).

His very defiance of the immortals at almost every turn in the story is evidence of the extreme degree of certainty and even of righteousness that Odysseus carried with him throughout his journey, and this certainty is a strong sign of his heroism. One of Odysseus' most obvious character traits, and one of the primary indicators of the Western ideal of heroism, is his militancy and physical prowess. This is commented on be several figures in the epic, including Odysseus himself.

One of his sailors says at one point, "You are very strong yourself and never get worn out; you seem to be made of iron" (Book XII, par. 22). His single-handed destruction of Penelope's many suitors is also compelling evidence for this facet of his personality.

His sheer battle prowess, which is how he came to be on this journey in the first place and is shown in many events and scenarios throughout the novel -- from his method of dealing with the Cyclops at the beginning of the tale all the way to his reclaiming of his wife and throne at.