The Odyssey - Homer’s Folk Epic

The Odyssey - Homer’s Folk Epic

  • Submitted By: jonkent
  • Date Submitted: 06/08/2010 8:07 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1002
  • Page: 5
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A True Hero

Homer’s folk epic The Odyssey introduces one of the most prominent characters in literature; Odysseus the hero of the Greek tragedy. When reading The Odyssey we venture with Odysseus through his ten-year journey from the battlefield of Troy all the way to his homeland of Ithaca. The reader goes through deep emotions in this adventurous voyage when learning that Odysseus may never see his family again. As a true hero Odysseus never gives up his longing and desire to go home again. Odysseus goes through struggles and sorrows before he defeats the odds and is finally reunited with his family at the end of the long narrative poem. This epic qualifies Odysseus as a genuine hero because it depicts him as a “great historical figure with an intense amount of valor, and shows Odysseus has encounters with divine or supernatural forces”.

Firstly, by literacy definition Odysseus is characterized as a hero because of his historical and legendary significance. Odysseus will forever and continuously be referred to as one of the greatest heroes in epic history (if not the greatest). The definition of a hero from A Handbook to Literature Fourth Edition, “Epics both folk & art folk, share a group of common characteristics: {1} the hero is a figure of imposing stature, of national or international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance...” (131). The Odyssey was written a thousand years ago but yet it is still relevant in today’s society. In this quote, it goes into immense detail of what a hero represents and you find that these are all of the qualities that embody Odysseus character. It states that a hero has “imposing stature”, a sophisticated description for highly respected, which Odysseus most certainly is. Odysseus signifies “imposing stature” because he is the prototype of all heroes; most of his godly actions are the definition of word (hero). In addition Odysseus is of legendary significance because he is a conquering war hero....

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