Epic Hero Analysis (Odyssey) Essay

What does it take to be an larger-than-life hero? To be an larger-than-life hero you are call for to urinate five specific qualities. These consist of beingness human-like, being a confident and courageous solider, nobility, and being in a poem containing superhuman beings that has setting is vast in scope. In the poem the Odyssey, the main reference point fits the criteria. Odysseus is an epic hero.An important trait to being an epic hero is that the example is involved in a poem complicated by sorcerous beings. To sail home in book 12, Odysseus has to navigate through the laissez passer between two monsters, Scylla and Charybdis. As he is coming up on Scylla, he describes herHer legs-And in that location are twelve- are like great tentacles, unjointed, and upon her snake necks are borne six heads like nightmares of ferocity, with triple serried rows of fangs and deep gullets of dour death. (12. 46-51)These lines prove that the creature Odysseus is facing is not a human being. It shows that Scylla has 12 tentacles, six heads, and three rows of teeth. No human would have both these typesetters caseistics.not only does an epic hero have to be involved in a poem with supernatural characters, but a poem with a setting vast in scope that involves more than one nation. Odysseus tells the Phaeacians the fib of his wanderings in the beginning of book nineMy home is on the unwell sea-mark of Ithica under Mount Neions wind-blown robe of leaves, in sight of different islands- Dulichium, same, wooded Zacynthus- Ithica being most lofty in that costal sea, and northwest, tour the rest lie east and s tabuh. (9. 10-15) Odysseus explains that he is from Ithica. He also explains that there are other nations around him. They are different than Ithica like being wooded or lofty. This proves that he is part of a setting that includes a setting vast in scope.Another important trait is that the character has to be of noble birth, high position, and legendary. Many people rely on Odysseus and trust him. He explains to the Phaeacians in book nine, in the beginning he begins his unfit adventure, Men hold me/formidable for guile in peace and contend (9. 8-9). He proves that he has confidence in his say-so. He knows his power how hefty and relied on in society. This gives the Phaeacians an idea of how noble and legendary he is. contempt being legendary, an epic hero is also the same as any ordinary man with longings, desires, and weaknesses. When Odysseus arrives at the land of the Cyclopes, his custody advise him to scam some of the food and leave, but to his and his crews detriment, he decides to stay, yet I refused. I wished/to see the caveman, what he had to offer-/no pretty sight, it move out for my friends (9. 130-132). Though he knew it wasnt the right topic to do, Odysseus unyielding to stay. It is a very human-like characteristic to make mistakes. Humans do the things they demand sometimes even if they know its not the right t hing to do. It shows he can be very much like a normal person at times and though he is trust to always do the right things, he messes up too.Although epic heroes have human-like features, they are trained warriors and perform courageous and super human whole shebang for the benefit of others. In book 12, Odysseus knows that the wrath of the monsters, Scylla and Charybdis, lie ahead. Not absentminded his men to be afraid and cowardly when they see the monsters, he prepares a speech to prepare themFriends,have we never been in danger before this?More fearsome, is it now, than when the Cyclopspenned us in his cave? What power he hadDid I not keep my nerve, and use my witsto find a way out for us? (12. 143-147)Odysseus proves how heroic he is. He is a strong and intelligent when it comes to dealing with danger. By saying this, he prepares his men not to be afraid and to trust him that everything will be okay, clean like all the other times hes gotten them out of troublesome situati ons. When they finally r from each one the monsters, his men dont chickenhearted out and go forth with what he told them to do.Odysseus is stated to be an epic hero due to the characteristics he demonstrates in the poem the Odyssey. He reveals each of the five requirements needed. He shows he has human-like characteristics, strength, nobility and confidence in his authority throughout his adventures in the Odyssey. With all these features, any character could be an epic hero, just like Odysseus.Works CitedHomer. The Odyssey. The Language of Literature. Eds. Arthur N. Applebee, et.al.Evanston, IL McDougal Little, 2002. 894-937. Print.