persuasive essay. He is supposed to think about Odysseus from the book the Odyssey as a character and his heroic traits. From there, he must determine if he thinks Odysseus is a good, intelligent, brave, arrogant, etc. hero. It′s up to him to decide what kind of hero he thinks he is. After he decides and creates his thesis statement (the stance that he′s arguing), he has to write a four paragraph essay proving what kind of hero Odysseus is using evidence from the book

Odysseus: A Brave Hero

Throughout literature, heroes are often depicted as physically strong and courageous individuals willing to risk their lives for the greater good. While these traits are certainly important in a hero, there is more to being a true hero than physical strength and bravery. Odysseus is a true hero who exemplifies bravery and heroism in the face of adversity. Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey," demonstrates bravery and heroism throughout the story through his clever tactics, self-sacrifice, and perseverance in the face of danger and challenges.

One of the most notable examples of Odysseus's cleverness is his use of the Trojan Horse to defeat the Trojans in the Trojan War. After a decade of fighting, the Greek army could not breach the city's walls, and it seemed like the war would continue indefinitely (Williams, 2018). However, Odysseus had a plan. He convinced his fellow soldiers to build a giant wooden horse and leave it outside the city gates as a "gift" to the Trojans. The Trojans, believing the horse to be a sign of surrender from the Greeks, brought it into the city and celebrated their victory. However, what they didn't know was that the horse was filled with Greek soldiers who, under cover of darkness, could open the city's gates and allow the rest of the Greek army to enter and conquer the city. This clever tactic shows Odysseus's bravery and willingness to think outside the box to achieve his goals.

Odysseus is also a hero because of his self-sacrifice. Throughout "The Odyssey," he puts his safety and well-being aside to protect his family and friends. For example, when Odysseus encounters Polyphemus, the Cyclops who traps and eats his crew members, Odysseus volunteers to be the one to enter the Cyclops' lair and try to find a way to escape (Williams, 2018). Even though he knows the risk he is taking, he is willing to put himself in harm's way to save his crew. Another example of Odysseus's self-sacrifice is when Odysseus chooses to leave Calypso's island, where he has been living in comfort and luxury for seven years, to return home to his wife and son. Despite the danger and challenges he knows he will face, he is willing to leave behind a life of ease to reunite with his family. These acts of self-sacrifice demonstrate Odysseus's bravery and commitment to those he loves.

Finally, Odysseus is a hero because of his perseverance. Throughout "The Odyssey," he faces numerous challenges and obstacles but never gives up. Odysseus continues to push forward, even when things seem hopeless. For example, when he is shipwrecked and stranded on Calypso's island, he could easily have given up and resigned himself to living out the rest of his days there (Williams, 2018). However, he refuses to give up hope of returning home and spends seven years trying to find a way back to Ithaca. When he returns, he has to deal with all the suitors who have invaded his castle and are trying to win Penelope's hand in marriage. Rather than give up or give in, Odysseus perseveres and uses his wits and strength to defeat the suitors and reclaim his rightful place as the ruler of Ithaca. His determination and resilience in adversity show his bravery and heroism.

In conclusion, Odysseus, the protagonist of "The Odyssey," demonstrates bravery and heroism through his clever tactics, self-sacrifice, and perseverance. He is a true hero who uses his intelligence, bravery, and determination to overcome challenges and protect those he loves. Odysseus never gives up, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. He perseveres and never loses hope, ultimately succeeding in his journey home to Ithaca and reuniting with his family. Overall, Odysseus is a true hero who exemplifies bravery and heroism in the face of adversity.

References

Williams, H. (2018). Polymetic heroism in the Wanderings of Odysseus, Odyssey 9-12 (the Apologue). Akroterion, 63(1), 1-20.