How Odysseus Is Not A Hero He Seems To Be
I consider someone who is courageous and kind a hero in the 21st Century. If they were doing these things to help others, many people would see them as heroes. Odysseus journeys home after the Trojan War. In his travels, he displays his arrogance as well as his unforgiveness and ignorance. Odysseus, when he examines his actions and adventures in depth, is not as “heroic” as he appears to be. Odysseus’ actions may seem heroic, but they are really just ways for him to gain honor. Odysseus’ actions are a lie.
Odysseus was ignorant and dangerous to his crew when he acted on Cyclops Island. The book X states that “The men pleaded with me to allow them to help themselves and leave”… I did not listen… Cyclops, I say! You can tell anyone that if they ask you who did it, Odysseus is the man to blame. The conqueror of Troy was the son Laertes and his address in Ithaca. Odysseus is shown to be ignorant by these quotes, since he was surrounded by many intelligent men, but only listened a single person. Later, this ignorance led to other men’s deaths. Odysseus had to tell Polyphemus that he was the one who had punctured the Cyclops’ eye, even after he finished distracting him. Poseidon cursed him for his inconsiderate actions. Lloyd Alexander best summarizes this: “Everyman can be considered a hero as long as he puts others before himself.”
Odysseus had a lot of hubris. He almost acted on Scylla & Charybdis. Book XII contains the following: “Suppose, I slip away and fight Charybdis when it attacks my men”… You only care about fighting and causing trouble”. These quotes confirm Odysseus’ arrogance. Odysseus is confident that he can fight an immortal and will risk his men’s lives rather than listen to a wise woman. He does this to boost the ego of his men, and not to consider what his actions might do to them. Odysseus did not want to consider all factors, but wanted others know about his “strength”.
Odysseus showed unforgiveness in Ithica by punishing his maids. Book XXII has the following: “Drive out all women between the domed-house and the wall of the courtyard, and slash them with your swords; kill them, and teach the girls to forget the secret cuddling, bussing, and kissing they did with these gallant giants”. This quote embodies Odysseus’s cold-heartedness and indifference. Odysseus wasn’t required to kill all of those women to show “loyalty”. He did not consider the fact that his people treated their maids like slaves. It shows that he is a hypocrite and has unjustified reasoning. He slept with women like Calypso. Odysseus was only interested in being a hero for his family, not about his morals.
Odysseus appears to be heroic, but isn’t. He is arrogant, intolerant, and ignorant. Odysseus’s egoism is evident, as he puts himself ahead of others. He will do anything to make himself look good. You can see his great qualities again when he’s at Ithica, Sirens and Cyclops Island. I have said before that a hero is someone who acts with courage and kindness to help others.
