odysseus as an epic hero essays

odysseus as an epic hero essays The role of Odysseus as an epic hero is modified throughout the epic poem. As Odysseus leaves Troy for home, he is the typical bloodthirsty warrior. During the course of his trek, he undergoes a symbolic death and rebirth. Upon his arrival to Ithaka, the wiser man he has become is evident. The odyssey is Odysseus story of his journey not only from troy to Ithaka, but also from bloodthirsty warrior to epic hero. Odysseus begins the tale of his trip from troy to Phaiakia. The beginning of his tale displays the bloodthirsty warrior that left troy. What of those years of rough adventure, weathered under Zeus? The wind that carried west from Ilion brought me to Ismaros, on the far shore, a strongpoint on the coast of Kikones. I stormed that place and killed the men who fought. The first lines of Odysseus story display his warrior side. This passage shows how he and his crew landed and immediately went to battle and plundered. Although Odysseus recalls telling his men to stop afterwards and return to the ship, he never really forcibly tried to make the men return. The lack of effort on Odysseus part implies that he did not truly care if the men ransacked Ilion. Due to his greed and bloodlust, nearly a third of each ships crew was lost. This bloodthirsty warrior cared only for battle and blood, instead of his men and his return home. After stopping on the island of Aiaia, the home of Kirke, Odysseus journeys to Hades. This represents a symbolic death for Odysseus. There he must speak with Teirasias to hear the prophets visions for Odysseuss journey home. Teirasias predicts that the journey can take two paths; either a peaceful journey home, or if the crew and Odysseus can not restrain their desires, death and destruction will befall the crew. Odysseus and his crew do not heed Teirasiass warning, and the entire crew save Odysseus is lost at sea. After nine ...