Odysseus displays the characteristics of a classic epic hero , he is loyal , cunning and charismatic. When he is challenged with the task of returning home to Ithaca and successfully overcomes the odds he just proves that . He outwits Polyphemus the Cyclops; he battles Charybdis and Scylla; finally, he disguises himself as a beggar and wins his family back from the intruders in his own home. On the other hand, he displays human characteristics as well: he is overly curious, which gets him into trouble with the cyclops, Lotus Eaters, etc. He is a man, and has a difficult time resisting the temptations of the beautiful Circe and Calypso. So, his characteristics fit into two categories: epic hero and human.Odysseus demonstrates heroic, god-like qualities throughout The Odyssey. In one instance, he cleverly tricks and blinds the Cyclops Polyphemus, saving his crew from certain death. Odysseus also bravely travels to Hades to learn his fate. Upon reaching Ithaca, Odysseus takes on all of Penelope’s suitors, defeating them to reclaim his rightful place.Odysseus demonstrated god-like qualities in The Odyssey through his intelligence and ability to inspire his men.
In one instance, he tricked the Cyclops Polyphemus by telling him his name was “nobody” and then disguising his men as sheep so that Polyphemus would unwittingly let them out of his cave.
He is able to keep his men together for most of the story by earning their loyalty and devotion. Even in the face of dangers such as Scylla and Circe, the men stick with Odysseus.
Finally, at the end of the story, he tricks the suitors by doing what no other man can do: string his famous bow. In so doing, he has given himself the weapon with which to defeat the suitors and taken them by surprise.Odysseus demonstrated god-like qualities in The Odyssey through his intelligence and ability to inspire his men.
In one instance, he tricked the Cyclops Polyphemus by telling him his name was “nobody” and then disguising his men as sheep so that Polyphemus would unwittingly let them out of his cave.
He is able to keep his men together for most of the story by earning their loyalty and devotion. Even in the face of dangers such as Scylla and Circe, the men stick with Odysseus.
Finally, at the end of the story, he tricks the suitors by doing what no other man can do: string his famous bow. In so doing, he has given himself the weapon with which to defeat the suitors and taken them by surprise.Odysseus demonstrated god-like qualities in The Odyssey through his intelligence and ability to inspire his men.
In one instance, he tricked the Cyclops Polyphemus by telling him his name was “nobody” and then disguising his men as sheep so that Polyphemus would unwittingly let them out of his cave.
He is able to keep his men together for most of the story by earning their loyalty and devotion. Even in the face of dangers such as Scylla and Circe, the men stick with Odysseus.
Finally, at the end of the story, he tricks the suitors by doing what no other man can do: string his famous bow. In so doing, he has given himself the weapon with which to defeat the suitors and taken them by surprise.Odysseus' encounter with and escape from the Cyclops, Polyphemus, in Book 9 is considered to be his most significant achievement because he not only saves himself but also a number of his men through his cunning and intelligence--with one exception. Initially, he tells Polyphemus that his name is Nobody or Noman because he needs to remain anonymous in order not to evoke any retribution from any of the gods, like Poseidon, who are already trying to destroy the man known as Odysseus. When he finally tricks Polyphemus into letting him and his men, disguised as sheep, escape from Polyphemus's cave, Odysseus cannot keep from telling Polyphemus who has actually defeated him:Cyclops, if any one asks you who it was that put your eye out and spoiled your beauty, say it was the valiant warrior Ulysses, son of Laertes, who lives in Ithaca.' (Book IX)
Odysseus is smart , brave and loyal , he is basically an epic hero capable of anything.
