Odysseus Is Not a Hero free essay sample

I have to write an essay, but it seems that every essay I write to the teacher, she just doesnt end up liking it, if you can please help me with what I am doing wrong that would be great. Thanks Not So Much a Hero A heroic person is who does courageous acts for the sake of his family and peers. In the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, the protagonist, Odysseus, has not been a heroic person throughout the poem. Odysseus, Son of Laertes, has journeyed off with his crew in search of returning home and has not met the requirements of being a hero. Instead he displays he is insensible towards others, disloyal, and untrustworthy. One characteristic that Odysseus presents is being insensible towards his crew members. An example of this is when Odysseus and his men are trapped in the Cyclopes cave, Odysseus says â€Å"Now came the time to toss for it: who ventured along with me? Whose hand could bear to thrust and grind that spike in Cyclops eye† (279). We will write a custom essay sample on Odysseus Is Not a Hero or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This shows that Odysseus fails to symbolize what his members are feeling. For this reason because Odysseus want to decide who to help him brawl Cyclops with a toss of a coin, he does not show a heroic decision. Each time when Odysseus does something wrong the Gods, particularly Zeus, would give his men troubles on Odysseus’s actions. For example, just after wanting to depart the island, Zeus â€Å"disdained the offering: destruction for my ships he had in shore and death for those who sailed them, my companions† (512). This shows Odysseus has disobeyed Zeus; leading him to destruct Odysseus’s ships and men. Proving that Odysseus is endangering his crew members by his absent of feeling towards others. Not only does Odysseus lack feeling, but is untrustworthy to his peers. Odysseus has many conflicts of whether he is a trustworthy person. An example of showing Odysseus being untrustworthy is when the Cyclops asks why he is here, Odysseus answers â€Å"He thought he’d find out, but I saw through this and answered with a ready lie: My ship? Poseidon. Lord. Who set the earth a tremble†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (226). This shows that Odysseus dishonest his way out of things. A hero should be upright towards other people and not lie to achieve what he wants. Another conflict that Odysseus has with his men is when sailing towards Scylla, Odysseus says to himself â€Å"But as I sent them on towards Scylla. I told them nothing, as they could do nothing† (785). This proves that he cannot be trusted by leaving him men to find out for them. This is the reason why Odysseus is untrustworthy to his crew mates. Odysseus has not only been not trusted by his men, but disloyal to his family. To be disloyal is when false to ones obligations. Odysseus has showed this many times throughout the poem. An example is when he has secret relationships with Circe even though married â€Å"Circe, persuades Odysseus to stay, share her meat and wine, and restore his heart† (1054). This shows that Odysseus has cheated on his wife while out at sea. This proves that Odysseus is a treacherous man to his family. While Odysseus’s men kill a ram, Zeus punishes them by a thunderbolt, killing everyone but Odysseus â€Å"The dangerous nymph Calypso lives and sings there, in her beauty and she received me, loved me† (985). This shows that Odysseus has sailed away without his men and going to Calypso. Showing how Odysseus is disloyal to his crew, leaving their bodies and only caring about himself. Odysseus has many characteristics that he shows throughout his journey, but not heroic. Dragging his members into his own faults by the Gods, being a untrustworthy leader, and a bad husband to his wife. Odysseus is not a heroic person, just arrogant. Overall in this epic poem, Odysseus shows no characteristics of a heroic person.