Odysseus is the main character of Homer’s famous poem, The Odyssey. In the poem, Odysseus is faced with many challenging obstacles throughout his journey home from the Trojan War. He is considered by many scholars and readers to be an epic hero. Although some do believe this, many disagree and think he has several characteristics that are not admirable. An epic hero embodies the ideals of a society, overcomes obstacles, and is courageous, intelligent, and honorable. Although many do consider him to be an epic hero, many disagree. Even though Odysseus does have some characteristics of a hero, he has many characteristics of an anti-hero as well.
When Odysseus and his men are on the ship they get stuck between Charybdis and Scylla. Odysseus sacrifices six of his men to be eaten by the monster. He tells them to stand on the deck of the ship but does not tell them why or that they will soon be consumed by the beast. During this ordeal, Odysseus hid himself below the ship like a coward.
Another reason Odysseus is considered to be un-hero-like has to do with his extreme hubris. During the scene with the cyclops, his crew suggests to either just steal some cheese or to walk away without food. However, Odysseus stays to see the cyclops so he can take a gift and get bragging rights. This caused a much bigger ordeal than what
needed to happened and many of the men were devoured by Polyphemus. Perhaps if he would have just swallowed his pride and listened to his men, many lives would have been saved.
The whole time Odysseus was on Calypso’s island, he was cheating on his wife, Penelope. True heros are supposed to be honorable and faithful. Even though he was captured by Calypso, he still could have resisted falling in love with her. It is quite apparent that Odysseus is not the perfect example of an epic hero. Although he does have some characteristics of a hero, his flaws seem to outweigh the good.
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