Is Odysseus Truly a Hero?

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Odysseus shows a side of himself that is both compassionate and emotional. Although he has this strong appearance and heroic brave reputation he also demonstrates a soft side. The maids in Odysseus’ house finally discover his true identity and it says, “They came crowding out of their quarters, torch in hand, flung their arms around Odysseus, hugged him, home at last, and kissed his head and shoulders seized his hands, and he overcome by a lovely longing broke down and wept...over in his heart he knew them one and all.”(454.525-529). He breaks down and weeps showing a side that is rarely seen by the tough Odysseus. He is very emotional because the maids in his household basically raised him when he was a child and after years at sea he is finally reunited with his family. After nine years on an endless journey home, Odysseus finally comes face to face with his son. His son Telemachus does not recognize him however because he is still disguised as a beggar. While Odysseus explains to his son that he is really his father it says, “And with those words Odysseus kissed his son and the tears streamed down his cheeks and wet the ground, though before he’d always reined his emotions back”(344, ln. 215-217). Odysseus usually refrained from showing emotions in other parts of the story because he wanted to put off a hard exterior for his men and the people he was with. But in this reunion with his son, he could not hold back the tears because he was so overcome with emotion because after all this time he finally found the peace he was so desperately looking for. This displays that Odysseus is truly a caring man who has a heart for his family and what is important to him.

Although some people may say Odysseus is not a hero because he is prideful, it is clear that pride is only one of many good qualities that he has. Every human has their faults but that does not make them a bad person, and being prideful does not make Odysseus any less of a hero. He shows loyalty and devotion to the people he cares about, cares about people so much that he will do anything to outsmart the situation he is in, and uses his wit and cleverness to get closer to reaching home. Odysseus demonstrates every aspect of a true hero and because of that and his perseverance he reaches his home of Ithaca to be reunited with his loved ones.

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