A Hero or a Foe

A Hero or A Foe

        Being a hero is hard because you have to try and save everyone. There is one man that took 20 years to get to his home Ithaca, because of all the obstacles that were put his way. Odysseus is considered not to be a hero because he was unfaithful to his wife but that is just on flaw out of all the good attributes he has. He used his intelligence, bravery and to be a good to defeat the obstacles.

        During the adventure of the Cyclops Island, Odysseus and his men get stuck inside the cave of Polyphemus. Polyphemus is the son of Poseidon, king of the sea. In this Odysseus was smart on how to get them out of the cave. Some of the men were eaten but most of them were able to escape because of Odysseus. He blinded Polyphemus and even escaped by being tied to the bottom of the sheep. But even before this happened Odysseus had told Poyphemus that his name was ‘Nohbdy’ so that when the others asked what happened he would say ‘Nohbdy’ has tricked me.’ With this Odysseus was showing how smart he was by proving that he is a hero for saving the crew men. Although he did escape he let his ego get in the way by telling Polyphemus his real name and where he lived.

        On the way to Ithaca they get thrown off course, causing them to land on the island of the Enchantress Circe. She had turned most of the Odysseus’ men to pigs. When Odysseus heard this he agreed to bring Circe to bed only so that the men turn back to human form. Odysseus is brave for this because he is doing this to save his men. But by doing this he is also being unfaithful to his wife, even if he is saving the men so that they can continue towards Ithaca.

        Odysseus also showed signs of being a great leader. To do this he had been warned to not eat the cattle of the sun god. He had also warned his crew men to not eat the cattle because they had provision on the ship. Even if things didn’t work out as planned he was a good leader because his men were warned and they didn’t listen, it wasn’t his fault, he did what he was told.