Odysseus Was Not a Hero in the Odyssey

Maryem Ali

Mr.Rumsey

English 9H; Period 4

4 November 2015

Odysseus Was Not a Hero in The Odyssey

        According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, a hero is “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” In Ancient Greek times, a hero was typically a physically strong man with power, bravery, and a following. As time progressed, a hero became more complex. At one point a hero was someone who wore a cape and could fly, and at another a hero was the person who got on to television to assure everything would be fine. In The Odyssey, Odysseus, a Greek hero, is trying to return to his kingdom after winning a war.By today’s standards, Odysseus was not a good hero.

        Odysseus was not faithful. As heroes today stay true to their spouse, Odysseus had affairs with women on his journey back home. When he was trapped on Calypso’s island for seven years, Odysseus and Calypso “…enjoyed their love together” (Homer 67). This happened on many occasions and a relationship developed between them. When Odysseus was on Circê’s island, he “…took her advice and stayed for a year…” (130). While with Circê for a year, they had sexual relations, and nothing was keeping Odysseus from traveling back home, he was even reminded by his crew that they should go back home. As Odysseus was away and unable to resist temptation, his wife, Penelope, was fighting off suitors who offered everything one could ask for, in order to stay faithful for her coming husband. Odysseus should not have had these encounters, and stayed strong.

        Odysseus was not a strong leader. Today, heroes are expected to take charge and lead people when they need it most, Odysseus was unable to do so. When he and his crew were traveling back from the underworld, they rest at Thrinacia, the island that Helios’s cattle is. Odysseus was warned not to kill or eat the cattle, and he warns his crew of the same. As they are getting closer to Thrinacia, Odysseus falls asleep and one of his crew members convinces the others that they need to eat and should kill the cattle. Once some of the cattle is killed and being cooked, Odysseus wakes up to “…a sweetish odor of burning fat…” and is alarmed to find his crew enjoying something he told them not to (158). If Odysseus had been a stronger leader, the cattle would not have been killed and they all wouldn’t have to feel the wrath of the gods. Odysseus’s orders weren’t respected by his crew. If Odysseus had been a better leader, his own crew wouldn’t doubt and disobey him.

        Odysseus was not compliant. Today, heroes listen to others, everyone can use some help, so when it’s given, it should be accepted. All throughout his numerous journeys, Odysseus was given advice by so many people, gods, and goddesses. Nearly every time someone tried to help him, he wouldn’t take their advice. After Odysseus had left Calypso’s island, Odysseus rejected Ino’s veil and direction when he was in the middle of the sea, as he was “…left in doubt…” and thought “[a]t all events [he] won’t do it yet…” (70). Once Poseidon ruined his only means of making it to shore, and he was left with no other choice, Odysseus finally listened to Ino, making him able to reach shore. Another incident in which Odysseus didn’t comply was when he ignoring advice that could have saved lives. Before arriving to Scylla’s island, he was told not to fight her. Being his proud self, he fought her, and lost crew members for doing so.