Epic Hero Analysis (Odyssey) Essay

What does it take to be an heroic song hero? To be an epic poem hero you are required to corroborate five specific qualities. These consist of existence human- the like, being a confident and heroic solider, nobility, and being in a poem containing supernatural beings that has setting is vast in scope. In the poem the Odyssey, the main character fits the criteria. Odysseus is an epic hero.An important trace to being an epic hero is that the character is involved in a poem complicated by supernatural beings. To drag home in book 12, Odysseus has to navigate through the straits between two monsters, Scylla and Charybdis. As he is coming up on Scylla, he describes herHer legs-And on that point are twelve- are like great tentacles, unjointed, and upon her snake necks are borne six heads like nightmares of ferocity, with triple serried rows of fangs and deep gullets of black death. (12. 46-51)These lines prove that the creature Odysseus is face up is not a human being. It shows that Scylla has 12 tentacles, six heads, and three rows of teeth. No human would have any(prenominal) these characteristics.Not only does an epic hero have to be involved in a poem with supernatural characters, but a poem with a setting vast in scope that involves lots than one nation. Odysseus tells the Phaeacians the tale of his wanderings in the beginning of book nineMy home is on the peaked sea-mark of Ithica under(a) Mount Neions wind-blown robe of leaves, in sight of other islands- Dulichium, same, wooded Zacynthus- Ithica being most rattling(a) in that costal sea, and northwest, while the rest lie east and s out(a)h. (9. 10-15) Odysseus explains that he is from Ithica. He similarly explains that there are other nations around him. They are different than Ithica like being wooded or lofty. This proves that he is part of a setting that includes a setting vast in scope.Another important trait is that the character has to be of noble birth, high position, and legendary. Man y people rely on Odysseus and trust him. He explains to the Phaeacians in book nine, before he begins his big adventure, Men hold me/formidable for guile in peace and war (9. 8-9). He proves that he has confidence in his authority. He knows his designer how strong and relied on in society. This gives the Phaeacians an idea of how noble and legendary he is.Despite being legendary, an epic hero is also the same as any ordinary man with longings, desires, and weaknesses. When Odysseus arrives at the land of the Cyclopes, his manpower advise him to gyp some of the food and leave, but to his and his crews detriment, he decides to stay, Yet I refused. I wished/to peck the caveman, what he had to offer-/no pretty sight, it turned out for my friends (9. 130-132). Though he knew it wasnt the right topic to do, Odysseus decided to stay. It is a very human-like characteristic to make mistakes. Humans do the things they want sometimes as yet if they know its not the right thing to do. It shows he can be very much like a normal person at times and though he is trusted to ever so do the right things, he messes up too.Although epic heroes have human-like features, they are trained warriors and perform courageous and super human deeds for the benefit of others. In book 12, Odysseus knows that the wrath of the monsters, Scylla and Charybdis, lie ahead. Not wanting(p) his men to be afraid and cowardly when they see the monsters, he prepares a speech to prepare themFriends,have we never been in danger before this?More fearsome, is it now, than when the Cyclopspenned us in his cave? What power he hadDid I not keep my nerve, and use my witsto find a way out for us? (12. 143-147)Odysseus proves how heroic he is. He is a strong and intelligent when it comes to dealing with danger. By verbalize this, he prepares his men not to be afraid and to trust him that everything will be okay, just like all the other times hes gotten them out of troublesome situations. When they finall y reach the monsters, his men dont chicken out and go forth with what he told them to do.Odysseus is stated to be an epic hero due to the characteristics he demonstrates in the poem the Odyssey. He reveals each of the five requirements needed. He shows he has human-like characteristics, strength, nobility and confidence in his authority throughout his adventures in the Odyssey. With all these features, any character could be an epic hero, just like Odysseus.Works CitedHomer. The Odyssey. The Language of Literature. Eds. Arthur N. Applebee, et.al.Evanston, IL McDougal Little, 2002. 894-937. Print.