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When Odysseus and his men wash up and the land of the Lotus eaters, some of the men are offered up the lotus. Any man who had consumed the lotus had forgotten everything about the journey. Odysseus was humble and knew that he couldn't fight without some of his men. He couldn't leave them behind. He carries the men and force's them on his ship, “But I brought them back, back to the hallow ships, streaming tears-- I forced them…”(pg. 214)

Although this brings out his true character and how he is an epic hero, there are other events that say otherwise. "Hear me-- Posiedon, god of sea-blue mane who rocks the earth! If I am really your son and you claim to be my father--come grant that Odysseus, raider of cities, Laertes' son who makes his home in Ithaca, never reaches home..."(pg.228) Out of Odysseus' pride and hubris he caused himself and his shipmates, a longer and more tough journey home. These are not characteristics and epic hero shows.

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"Once there, go forward hero. Do as I say now. Dig a trench of about a forearm's length and around it pour libations out to all the dead-- first with milk and honey, and then with mellow wine, then third and last, and sprinkle glistening barley over it all, and vow again and again to all the dead, to the drifting, listless spirits of their ghosts, that once you return to Ithaca you will slaughter a barren heifer in your halls, the best you have, and load a pyre with treasures -- and to Tiresias, alone, apart, you will offer a sleek black ram, the pride of all your herds." (246)
This quote shows that Odysseus received guidance from Circe, a witch goddess on how to welcome the spirit of Tiresias in the House of Death or the Underworld.

" “Quiet,” his father, the old soldier, warned him. “Get a grip on yourself. No more questions now. It’s just the way of the gods who rule Olympus. Off you go to bed. I’ll stay here behind to test the women, test your mother too. She in her grief will ask me everything I know.” " (391)
This quote shows that Odysseus is not an epic hero because he has very little compassion for his son after leaving him for over ten years while first leaving for the Trojan War.

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(Pg. 133) "... but never once have I lied eyes on a man like him-- what a heart that fearless Odysseus had inside him! What a piece of work the hero dared and carried... He was hot to salute you now but Odysseus clamped his great hands on the mans mouth and shut it, brutally--yes, he saved us all, holding on grim-set till Pallas Athena lured you off at last."
This quote shows us that Odysseus was an epic hero, willing to fight for his people. He was fierce and did what no mortal could do and did what he could to his greatest advantage to help his people.

(Pg.211) " There I sacked the city, killed the men, but as for the wives and plunder, that rich haul we dragged away from the place-- we shared it round so no one, not on my account, would go deprived of his fair share of spoils."
Odysseus brags about slaughtering the village to the king which shows he is very selfish and not a kind person to others.

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Hero:
"Odysseus journeys home—the exile must return! While I myself go down to Ithaca, rouse his son to a braver pitch, inspire his heart with courage to summon the flowing haired Achaeans to full assembly, speak his mind to all those suitors, slaughtering on and on his droves of sheep and shambling longhorn cattle. Next I will send him off to Sparta and sandy Pylos, there to learn of his dear father’s journey home. Perhaps he will hear some news and make his name
throughout the mortal world.” (pg. 80)

This evidence shows that Odysseus would be considered a Epic Hero because he is getting help from the goddess Athena who would be considered a supernatural help. Athena wants to ensure that Odysseus returns home to Ithaca.

"But Athena had approached Laertes' son Odysseus, tapped him with her wand and made him old again. She dressed him in filthy rags too, for fear Eumaeus recognizing his master face to face, might hurry back to shrewd Penelope, blurting out the news and never hide the secret in his heart."  (pg. 352)

This is another piece of evidence showing Odysseus being helped by the supernatural  with Athena disusing Odysseus as a beggar before he returns to his kingdom. This is to help hide his identity.

Not Hero:
"The wind drove me out of Ilium on to Ismarus, the Cicones’ stronghold. There I sacked the city, killed the men, but as for the wives and plunder, that rich haul we dragged away from the place— we shared it round so no one, not on my account, would go deprived of his fair share of spoils." (pg. 212)

This evidence shows how Odysseus and his crew did not show humility, this is because they raid the Cicones' for not reason other then the wind brought them there. This proves that because there was no good reason to sack and kill the Cicones they did not how humility making Odysseus and his crew not Epic Heros.

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"Scylla to starboard, dreaded Charybdis off to port, her horrible whirlpool gulping the sea-surge down, down but when she spewed it up—like a cauldron over a raging fire— all her churning depths would seethe and heave—exploding spray showering down to splatter” the peaks of both crags at once! But when she swallowed the sea-surge down her gaping maw the whole abyss lay bare and the rocks around her roared, terrible, deafening— bedrock showed down deep, boiling black with sand— and ashen terror gripped the men. But now, fearing death, all eyes fixed on Charybdis— now Scylla snatched six men from our hollow ship . " (pg 199 in online book) This shows how Odysseus faces a super natural enemy and he will do anything to arrive back to his home of Ithaca.

"What fatal stroke of destiny brought you down? Wrecked in the ships when lord Poseidon roused some punishing blast of stormwinds, gust on gust? Or did ranks of enemies mow you down on land as you tried to raid and cut off herds and flocks or fought to win their city, take their women?’ " (pg 187 in online textbook) This quote shows Odysseus is not an epic hero because normally the epic hero receives help from a supernatural being/ force or a god but in this case Poseidon is angry with Odysseus because what he did to his son Polyphemus.

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Odysseus is an epic hero.  According to the book, it states, "Hoisting high that olive stake with its stabbing point, straight into the monster’s eye they rammed it hard— I drove my weight on it from above and bored it home as a shipwright bores his beam with a shipwright’s drill that men below, whipping the strap back and forth, whirl and the drill keeps twisting faster, never stopping." (page 223)  Odysseus was taking on this Cyclops that was way bigger and stronger than him.  This makes him an epic hero because the odds are very much against him although he still seems to defeat Cyclops.

Odysseus is not an epic hero.  According to the text, it states, “Can’t you bow to the deathless gods themselves? Scylla’s no mortal, she’s an immortal devastation, terrible, savage, wild, no fighting her, no defense— just flee the creature, that’s the only way. Waste any time, arming for battle beside her rock,

I fear she’ll lunge out again with all of her six heads and seize as many men.”(page 275)  This shows that Odysseus is arrogant and is not a noble character because he thinks he can take her without any suffering.  She is a six headed sea monster that would be hard to defeat.  He also risks losing men, in which he is not being a very good warrior risking the lives of his men.

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"From there we sailed on, our spirits now at a low ebb, and reached the land of the high and mighty Cyclops..."(214). This quote shows that Odysseus came across a super-natural villain. Odysseus would have no idea how to defeat a Cyclops because they are dangerous and are not commonly battled by someone. Cyclops's are unique and hard to win against with their great amount of strength.

"No mention of Scylla-how to fight that nightmare?-for fear the men would panic, desert their oars and huddle down and stow themselves away."(278) This quote shows that Odysseus is an untrustworthy hero because he knew that his men were going to suffer and decided to not tell them about their encounter with the villain, Scylla.

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Is Odysseus an Epic Hero or Not? Nina Seger

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Is Odysseus an Epic Hero or Not? Nina Seger

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Odysseus is an epic hero:

"But I brought them back, back to the hollow ships, and streaming tears—I forced them, hauled them under the rowing benches, lashed them fast and shouted out commands to my other, steady comrades: ‘Quick, no time to lose, embark in the racing ships!’—so none could eat the lotus, forget the voyage home" and thanks to Odysseus, they finally "reached the land" (p. 214).
This quote shows how even though the crew wanted to have a break by staying on the land of the Lotus-Eaters, Odysseus knew better and made them get onto the ships to sail away. Carrying the crew onto the ships, Odysseus made them one step closer to getting home and seeing their families (loved ones). If not for Odysseus, they would have stayed on the land of the Lotus-Eaters forever.

Odysseus is not an epic hero:

"All of a sudden killer-squalls attacked us, screaming out of the west, a murderous blast shearing the two forestays off so the mast toppled backward, its running tackle spilling into the bilge. The mast itself went crashing into the stern, it struck the helmsman’s head and crushed his skull to pulp and down from his deck the man flipped like a diver—his hardy life spirit left his bones behind" (p. 283-284). This quote shows how much destruction came from Odysseus not trusting his crew. Odysseus believed that his crew would get too scared and run away if he told them that they were close to a monster. Since his crew didn't know there was a monster, they weren't prepared. This means that Odysseus sabotaged his crew by knowing something they didn't. Odysseus lost men, and therefore, he is not an epic hero.

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Odysseus is an Epic Hero
"Not a word in reply to that, the ruthless brute. Lurching up, he lunged out with his hands toward my men and snatching two at once, rapping them on the ground he knocked them dead like pups, their brains gushed out all over soaked the floor-- and ripping them limb from limb to fix his meal he bolted them down like a mountain-lion, left no scrap, devoured entrails, flesh and bones, marrow and all!"(Homer 220). This is an example of a superhuman foe Odysseus has faced as he had to encounter Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, who is a huge and strong cyclops, in a close to unwinnable situation.

Odysseus isn't an Epic Hero
"Nevertheless I found the nerve to answer, firmly, 'Men of Achaea we are and bound now from Troy! Driven for off course by the warring winds, over the vast gulf of the sea--battling home on a strange tack, a route that's off the map, and so we've come to you...So it must please king Zeus's plotting heart. We're glad to say we're men of Atrides Agamemnon, whose fame is the proudest thing on earth these days, so great a city he sacked, such multitudes he killed!"(Homer 219). This is an example of Odysseus not showing humility as he boasts and brags about the accomplishments of his crew to Polyphemus, which would lead to problems later on in the cave.

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-Allie Lentine
"... once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy. Many cities of men he saw and learned their minds, many pains he suffered, heartsick on the open sea, fighting to save his life and bring his comrades home." (p. 77) One part in the book illustrates how Odysseus 'Travels over a vast setting' because he fights a war at Troy, then he goes to different islands and faces challenges to keep going and get home.
"‘So stubborn!’ the lovely goddess countered. ‘Hell-bent yet again on battle and feats of arms? Can’t you bow to the deathless gods themselves? "(p. 275) Odysseus is not shown as an epic hero because he does not show 'Humility' he is ready to brag about how he defeated Scylla and no other man did. Odysseus does not want to give into the Gods and say that this is a challenge he should not face.

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" . . . King Odysseus . . . sailed off to war in his long black ships" (pg. 425). This quote shows that Odysseus is a king, therefore following one of the characteristics of an epic hero.

"'I called back to the Cyclops, stinging taunts" (pg. 226). This quote shows that Odysseus does not follow the humility characteristic, because he takes pride in his actions and brags about his deeds.

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Odysseus Evidence for Epic Hero - Vance Johnson

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Odysseus Evidence for Epic Hero - Vance Johnson

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"But Odysseus aimed and shot Antinous square in the throats and the point went stabbing clean through the soft neck and out  - and off to the side he pitched, the cup dropped from his grasp as the shaft sank home, and the man's life-blood came spurting from his nostrils . . . a sudden thrust of his foot . . . he kicked away the table." (pg. 440). This shows evidence of a great warrior and humility because Odysseus is fighting the suitors in a war for the throne, but is not showboating or revealing his true self.
Evidence for refuting: "Now life or death - your choice - fight me or flee if you hope to escape your sudden bloody doom! I doubt one man in the lot will save his skin." (pg. 441). This quote shows Odysseus not having these traits of a epic hero because he is a bragging and is showing no mercy. In addition, this indicates that Odysseus' character is not great. Furthermore, this also proves that he is not completing his job because he knows they need doing, but rather that he seeks revenge.

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page 223-224, "‘What, Polyphemus, what in the world’s the trouble? Roaring out in the godsent night to rob us of our sleep. Surely no one’s rustling your flocks against your will surely no one’s trying to kill you now by fraud or force!’ ‘Nobody, friends’—Polyphemus bellowed back from his cave ‘Nobody’s killing me now by fraud and not by force.’‘ ‘If you’re alone,’ his friends boomed back at once, ‘and nobody’s trying to overpower you now—look, it must be a plague sent here by mighty Zeus and there’s no escape from that. You’d better pray to your father, Lord Poseidon.’ They lumbered off, but laughter filled my heart to think how nobody’s name—my great cunning stroke had duped them one and all. But the Cyclops there, still groaning, racked with agony, groped around for the huge slab, and heaving it from the doorway, down he sat in the cave’s mouth, his arms spread wide, hoping to catch a comrade stealing out with sheep, such a blithering fool he took me for!
But I was already plotting …" This quote from the Odyssey shows an example of Odysseus acting as an Epic Hero because he is very brave for stabbing the Cyclops and telling him his name is Nobody.

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Evidence of the Epic Hero - Darwin Stutz

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Evidence of the Epic Hero - Darwin Stutz

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"I pray that Zeus will never make you king of Ithaca, though your father's crown is no doubt yours by birth." (Page 15) In this quote, Eupithes' son Antinous is talking to Odysseus' son, Telemachus. This quote shows that Odysseus is the king of Ithaca, and according to the characters of an epic hero pdf, most epic heros will have an above average station in life, such as being a king, just like Odysseus is.

"Shamed you so—say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes' son who makes his home in Ithaca!" (Page 152) This quote shows Odysseus bragging about one of his accomplishments, blinding the Cyclops. According to the characters of an epic hero pdf, even as the rest of the world recognizes the great deeds of the hero, he is never a braggart or even willing to take applause. Odysseus, however, definitely wanted to fame for his deed and was willing to take applause.

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"But wait, I can save you, free you from the great danger. Look, here is a potent drug. Take it to Circe's hall-- its power alone will shield you from the fatal day." (pg. 239) This quote shows how Odysseus is a epic hero because received supernatural help from Hermes by him giving Odysseus a potion so that Circe couldn't turn him into an animal.

"Cyclops if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so-- say Odysseus." (pg. 152)
This quote shows how Odysseus is not an epic hero because epic hero's do not brag. Odysseus here is bragging how he blinded the cyclops and wanted fame from it.

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Evidence of or refuting an Epic Hero - Isadora Demski

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Evidence of or refuting an Epic Hero - Isadora Demski

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"Athena countered him at once. The rest of the winds she stopped right in their tracks, commanding them all to hush now, go to sleep. All but the boisterous North--she whipped him up and the goddess beat the breakers flat before Odysseus, dear to Zeus, so he could reach the Phaeacians, mingle with men who love their long oars and escape his death at last." (pg 164)

This quote shows that Odysseus is an epic hero because he is receiving help from a supernatural being-Athena. (a goddess)

"'Cyclops--if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so--say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes' son who makes his home in Ithaca!" (pg 227)

This quote is an example of Odysseus not being an epic hero because he is not showing humility. By Odysseus telling the Cyclops his real name, he is acting egotistical and is longing for others to worship him and what he has done.

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Is Odysseus an Epic Hero? -Ronan McLoughlin

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Is Odysseus an Epic Hero? -Ronan McLoughlin

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Evidence for Epic Hero
"...I thrust our stake in a bed of embers
to get it red-hot and rallied all my comrades:
‘Courage—no panic, no one hang back now!’
And green as it was, just as the olive stake
was about to catch fire—the glow terrific, yes—
I dragged it from the flames, my men clustering round
as some god breathed enormous courage through us all.
Hoisting high that olive stake with its stabbing point,
straight into the monster’s eye they rammed it hard..." (Page 223). This part of the book represent an epic hero because Odysseus is fighting a supernatural creature (cyclops). Therefore, Odysseus is an epic hero in this scenario.

Evidence for not a Epic Hero
"Keep her clear of that smoke and surging breakers,
head for those crags or she’ll catch you off guard,
she’ll yaw over there—you’ll plunge us all in ruin!’...No mention of Scylla—how to fight that nightmare?—" (Page 278). This part of the book shows how Odysseus does not resemble aristocratic, this is because him not telling his men about Scylla caused them to die. His braveness and strong character was not shown, therefore he does not resemble nobleness.

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Is Odysseus an Epic Hero? -Quinn Kuchman 

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Is Odysseus an Epic Hero? -Quinn Kuchman 

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"The hearts inside us shook,
terrified by his rumbling voice and monstrous hulk. Nevertheless I found the nerve to answer, firmly" (page 144 online).

Evidence against epic hero
"To the life he’s like the son of great Odysseus, surely he’s Telemachus! The boy that hero left a babe in arms at home when all you Achaeans fought at Troy, launching your headlong battles just for my sake, shameless whore that I was”(page 54).

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 Evidence for Epic Hero (Lukas Basile)                                                 "Royal son of Laertes, Odysseus, old campaigner, the doom of an angry god..."(Pg. 251).  Odysseus can be reffered to as a hero because of his NOBLE BIRTH and for the supernatural foes that he faces.    

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 Evidence for Epic Hero (Lukas Basile)                                                 "Royal son of Laertes, Odysseus, old campaigner, the doom of an angry god..."(Pg. 251).  Odysseus can be reffered to as a hero because of his NOBLE BIRTH and for the supernatural foes that he faces.    

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Evidence against an epic hero                                "'Cyclops if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so-say Odysseus, raider of the cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes son who makes his home in Ithaca, '"(Pg. 226) Odysseus hubris make him susceptible to danger and reveals that he doesn't have a strong will of Humility .

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"So I pleaded, gentle, humble, appeals" (page 157). This is an example of Odysseus being an epic hero and showing he is capable of great deeds because it shows he can do things with great talent, which is being persuasive and being able to get what he wants.

"I must say, few if any could rival me in riches" (page 52). This is an example of Odysseus not being humble because he thinks he is the richest man ever. If he was an Epic hero, he would not have said that.

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'...the wily fighter Odysseus shouted back, "You dogs! you never imagined I'd return from Troy- so cocksure that you bled my house to death, ravished my serving women- wooed my wife behind your back while I was still alive! No fear of the gods who rule the skies up there, no fear that man's revenge might arrive someday- now all your necks are in the noose- your doom is sealed!"' page 440. this shows a characteristic of an epic hero, as he establishes himself in combat to the suitors, after shooting Antinous.

evidence against epic hero.
"No more. Come, let me tell you about the voyage fraught with hardship Zeus inflicted on me, homeward bound from Troy . . ."
page 212. This shows that Odysseus is quite a braggart, who will take credit and stretch the truth at times, which is not a epic hero characteristic.

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Hero: "But Zeus’s daughter Athena countered him at once. The rest of the winds she stopped right in their tracks,
commanding them all to hush now, go to sleep. All but the boisterous North—she whipped him up and the goddess beat the breakers flat before Odysseus, dear to Zeus, so he could reach the Phaeacians" (p. 164).

This is proof that Odysseus is an epic hero because he gets help from the goddess, Athena. She makes sure that he can reach his destination by stopping some winds.

Not a hero: "From the start my comrades pressed me, pleading hard,
‘Let’s make away with the cheeses, then come back—
hurry, drive the lambs and kids from the pens
to our swift ship, put out to sea at once!’
But I would not give way—
and how much better it would have been—
not till I saw him, saw what gifts he’d give" (p. 218).

Odysseus is not being a hero because he ignores the advice of one of his men telling him to leave the Cyclops' cave. He is more focused on getting a gift instead of the safety of his men. In result of his greed, some of Odysseus' men are killed by the Cyclops.

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"...great Odysseus' strength we cannot string his bow. A disgrace to ring in the ears of men come"(432). This quote shows that Odysseus is a great warrior. Odysseus is the only one who can string his bow to protect his kingdom during wars.

"But the hour has come to serve our masters right-supper in broad daylight-then to other revels, song and dancing, all that crowns a feast"(438). This quote shows how Odysseus is not and epic hero, because he only receives rewards for finishing his quest and he is trying to get home because of the rewards not because of the matter of course. This shows that he has bad humility.

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Evidence of the Epic Hero - Julia Trimble

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Evidence of the Epic Hero - Julia Trimble

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"But I’ll be lord of my own house and servants, all that King Odysseus won for me by force.” (page 90) This shows that he had a noble birth because he was born a prince and grew into a king.

"Away from my island—fast—most cursed man alive! It’s a crime to host a man or speed him on his way when the blessed deathless gods despise him so. Crawling back like this— it proves the immortals hate you! Out—get out!" (page 232) This shows that Odysseus is not an epic hero because he isn't receiving supernatural help from the god of wind.

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"Friends … it’s wrong for only one or two to know the revelations that lovely Circe made to me alone. I’ll tell you all, so we can die with our eyes wide open now or escape our fate and certain death together." This shows Odysseus is an epic hero because he is traveling over a vast setting and facing challenges, but still taking the time to care for his crew.

Evidence against epic hero
"Cyclops—if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so—say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca!" This quote shows how Odysseus let his pride get in the way of saving him and his crew from the Cyclops. Instead, this got him into more trouble than he was in before.
Talia Colton

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Evidence For

"Off in a foreign land and far from those who bore him. No more. Come, let me tell you about the voyage fraught with hardship Zeus inflicted on me, homeward bound from Troy" p. 212

This displays two characteristics of an Epic Hero. Firstly, Odysseus is extremely far from his home having traveled for war. He's traveled far and wide to try and reach his homeland. It also shows that he's a great hero since he played a large part in the Trojan War.

Evidence Against

"Deadly Charybdis- can't I possibly cut and run from her and fight Scylla off when Scylla strikes my men?" p. 275

Odysseus does not show humility. His hubris often leads to the death of his crewmates. Here he's trying to fight both creatures since it'd gain him more fame without thinking about the consequences. In that moment he was more concerned about his own fame rather than the safety of his crewmates. He completely ignores the fact both creatures by themselves are extremely hard to go against and shows arrogance.

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"Think of my father, who ruled this place with power and pride before the spirit of death subdued him."(pg.94) This shows evidence of Noble Birth because Odysseus was born into his king label and he ruled Ithaca. Since he is king he is more likely to be an epic hero.
Evidence for refuting Odysseus as an epic hero:
"I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world for every king of craft-my fame has reached the skies."(pg.212) He is resisting most of his achievements and down righting himself and he could be more proud and express his accomplishments which will give him more epic hero traits. -Liliana

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"Soften some beeswax and stop you shipmates' ears so none can hear, none of the crew, but if you are bent on hearing, have them tie you hand and foot in the swift ship"(page 273). This shows an epic hero because Odysseus receives supernatural help by Circe telling Odysseus what to do when he comes across all of these monsters.

"First, she warns, we must steer clear of the Sirens, their enchanting song, their meadow starrted with flowers. I alone was to was to hear their voices..."(page276). This shows how Odysseus isn't an epic hero because instead of choosing to tell his cremates about the monsters that they will face he only tells them about the sirens.

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"But then, when the wheeling seasons brought the year around, that year spun out by the gods when he should reach his home, Ithaca—though not even there would he be free of trials, even among his loved ones—then every god took pity, all except Poseidon. He raged on, seething against the great Odysseus till he reached his native land. " (pg 3).
This shows that Odysseus has supernatural enemies.

"I began to taunt the Cyclops—men around me trying to check me, calm me, left and right: ‘So headstrong—why? Why rile the beast again?"
This shows that Odysseus is being braggart which is not a hero trait. (pg 152).

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"I dipped into public stock to give them barley, ruddy wine and fine cattle for slaughter, beef to their hearts content" (pg 397). Odysseus fed and showed hospitality to the people, he does what the average commoner does not showing he is a good epic hero. This falls under capable of deeds of great strength and courage. "But now Poseidon, god of the earthquake, saw him—just returning home from his Ethiopian friends, from miles away on the Solymi mountain-range he spied Odysseus sailing down the sea and it made his fury boil even more" (pg 86). One characteristic of being an epic hero is having the gods take your side and help you along your journey but Poseidon clearly doesn't like Odysseus the quote shows Poseidon has a hatred towards him implying that Odysseus isn't an epic hero. -James Liebler

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Travels Over a Vast Setting
Evidence for Epic Hero
“We reached the Aeolian island next, the home of Aeolus, Hippotas’ son, beloved by the gods who never die—a great floating island it was, and round it all huge ramparts rise of indestructible bronze and sheer rock cliffs shoot up from sea to sky"(pg.230). This quote shows that Odysseus is an epic hero because it shows that Odysseus doesn't stay in his home his whole life. He travels to many places and different countries this is just one example.
National Heroism
Evidence for refuting Odysseus as a epic hero
"Unless, of course, you think my noble father Odysseus did the Achaean army damage, deliberate harm, and to pay me back you’d do me in, deliberately setting these parasites against me"(pg.95). This quote shows that the people of Ithaca don't respect him or look up to him as a hero. To be a national hero you have to be recognized as a hero in his own home.

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"You in your day have witnessed hundreds slaughtered, killed in single combat or killed in pitched battle." (pg. 263) This shows that   Odysseus has been through a lot of battle prior to his great journey which shows he was a great warrior.

"Cyclops- if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you say-Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes' son who makes his home in Ithaca!" (pg. 227) This shows that Odysseus being arrogant and is willing to take an applause which is not a characteristic of an epic hero.

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"...as soon as he briskly finished all his chores he snatched up two more men and fixed his meal. But this time I lifted a carved wooden bowl, brimful of my ruddy wine, and went right up to the Cyclops, enticing...he toppled over, sprawled full-length, flat on his back and lay there, his massive neck slumping to one side, and sleep that conquers all overwhelmed him now as wine came spurting...he vomited, blind drunk," (222-223). This quote shows how Odysseus faces a supernatural enemy, the Cyclops, and uses great courage and cleverness to achieve this great deed.

"Scylla's no mortal, she's an immortal devastation, terrible, savage, wild, no fighting her, no defense-just flee the creature, that's the only way," (275). Even though there was no real way to try to fight Scylla, this still goes against fighting supernatural enemies, as Odysseus races past the shore instead of even just trying to help his men from getting eaten by Scylla.

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Epic hero:
"My wild kept weaving, weaving cunning schemes---life at stake, monstrous death staring us in the face---till this plan struck my mind as best" (Fagles 224).
This illustrates Odysseus is capable of strength and courage. When Odysseus needs to save his crew from Polyphemus, he comes up with a clever plan that is beyond others could think of.

Not epic hero:
"Then, then in the same breath Zeus hit the craft with a lightning-bolt and thunder" (Fagles 284).
This demonstrates that Odysseus did not always receive aid from gods and goddesses. When Odysseus' crew eats Helios' cattle, Zeus destroys their ship.

Rachel Goldstein

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Evidence For and Against Epic Hero                            

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Evidence For and Against Epic Hero                            

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"But my heart breaks for Odysseus, that seasoned veteran cursed by fate so long- far away from his loved ones still, he suffers torments off a wave-washed island rising at the center of the seas" (Homer 79). This shows that Athena is a supernatural ally, as she is a goddess who favors Odysseus.  "Not a word in reply to that, the ruthless brute" (Homer 220). This shows Odysseus to be extremely prideful, a trait unbecoming of an epic hero, as he considers himself above the cyclops.

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"So we seized our sake with its fiery tip and bored it round and round in the giant's eye till blood came boiling up around that smoking shaft..."

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"So we seized our sake with its fiery tip and bored it round and round in the giant's eye till blood came boiling up around that smoking shaft..."

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The quote is showing that Odysseus is an epic hero because he is fighting something mere mortals cannot battle, Cyclops. Odysseus not wanting to get eaten or hurt, comes up with an intelligent plan to blind the Cyclops and free him and his crew out of the cave. - Cate Scicluna

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"Not one of the people whom he ruled remembers him now, that godlike man, and kindly as a father to his children. Now he's left to pine on an island, racked with grief in the nymph Calypso's house- she holds him there by force, He has no way to voyage home to his own native land, no trim ships in reach, no crew to ply the oars, and send him scudding over the sea broads back." (page 153)
This shows Odysseus is an epic hero through receiving supernatural help. In this quote Athena is telling her father Zeus what Odysseus has been through and that they should help him. Athena helps Odysseus and Telemachus throughout the book, and so do the other gods after Athena convinces them they should help.
"But I would not give way- and how much better it would have been- not till I saw him, saw what gifts he'd give." (page 218)
This quote refutes Odysseus as an epic hero as it shows his pride and selfishness. He didn't want to leave the cave because he thought that the Cyclops would give him gifts because he is so great.

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"But I’ll be lord of my own house and servants, all that King Odysseus won for me  force." (pg. 90). This quote falls under the characteristic of an epic hero normally being a king, noble, or prince.

"But just as great Odysseus thrashed things out,
Poseidon god of the earthquake launched a colossal wave,
terrible, murderous, arching over him, pounding down on him," (pg. 163). This shows that Poseidon is angry at Odysseus while a characteristic says that gods normally help epic heroes.

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One thing that shows that Odysseus is an epic hero is when he faced off with the supernatural cyclops Polyphemus in his cave. “So we seized our stake with its fiery tip and bored it round and round in the giant’s eye till blood came boiling up around that smoking shaft” (pg. 223)
Odysseus was showing excessive hubris when he was sailing away from Polyphemus. "Again I began to taunt the cyclops--men around me trying to check me, calm me, left and right: 'so headstrong--why? Why rile the beast again?'" (pg 227)

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"so then royal son of Laertes, Odysseus, man of exploits, still eager to leave at once and hurry back to your own home, your beloved native land?" Odysseus is referred to as royalty by calypso when he is staying with her.
"up now, quickly. I will shrivel the supple skin on your lithe limbs, strip the russet curls from your head and deck you out in rags you'd hate to see some other mortal wear..."
Odysseus is turned into a beggar as a disguise to sneak back into Ithaca.

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“Nobody—that’s my name. Nobody—so my mother and father call me, all my friends.”” (Pg. 223) Odysseus used his intelligence to give Polyphemus a fake name, so when Odysseus blinded him, the Cyclops wouldn't know who did it. This example falls under "A Noble Birth" category, because Odysseus is King, but he lies.

Evidence for not being an Epic Hero
"again I began to taunt the Cyclops" (Pg. 226) When Odysseus can’t resist taunting the Cyclops as he escaping, he accidentally reveals his real identity. If Odysseus didn’t have too much pride, it wouldn’t have caused him to get caught by Polyphemus. This falls under the "Humility" category.

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-Verena Castillo
"Hermes, god of golden wand, crossed my path, he looked for all the world like a young man sporting his first beard, just in the prime and warm pride of youth, and he grasped me by the hand and asked me kindly, 'Where are you going now my unlucky friend'"(pg. 239) This illustrates how Odysseus receives help from supernatural forces.
"'So, Cyclops no weak coward it was whose crew you bent down and devour there in your vaulted cave - you with your brute force.'"(pg. 226) This illustrate Odysseus bragging about his success, a trait that Epic Heroes are not supposed to express.

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"they will be kings or nobles of some sort." in the book "nobody thats my name."pg.226 odysseus has to Give him a fake name so no one knows he's king.

EVIDENCE REFUTING EPIC HERO

“So you ask me the name I'm known by.” pg. 147 " he is never a bragger." this shows that he is a bragger because he has to tell his name because he has so much pride.

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"I'd go back to the shore and the shift ship first, feed the men then send them out for scouting." (pg 235) -the "them" in the quote is italicized

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"I'd go back to the shore and the shift ship first, feed the men then send them out for scouting." (pg 235) -the "them" in the quote is italicized

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This evidence shows that Odysseus is not an epic hero because he is isn't showing great strength or courage. Instead of going to scout the island himself, he sends his crew members out because last time his crew went to scout the island out, they got eaten by giants. Odysseus is scared of dying and doesn't have enough courage to explore the island himself. -Cate Scicluna

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Epic Hero
"She has twelve legs, all writhing, dangling down and six long swaying necks, a hideous head on each". pg. 274
Odysseus faces a supernatural foe, Scylla, which is a characteristic of an epic hero. he must face Scylla with his men and travel past her.
Not Epic Hero
"No, it's the earth-shaker, Poseidon, unappeased, forever fuming against him for the Cyclops whose giant eye he blinded".
pg. (79)
Poseidon's hatred for Odysseus shows the opposite because he is not receiving aid or care from this god but must face challenges and danger because of him.

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''But first the ghost of Elpenor, my companion, came toward me. He'd not been buried under the wide ways of earth, not yet, we'd left his body in Circe's house unwept, unburied...'' (pg. 251 - book 11) This quote is an example of supernatural foes/events because book 11 surrounds Odysseus visiting the underworld to speak with Tiresias and ends up seeing the ghost of his mother and companion, Elpenor. 

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''But first the ghost of Elpenor, my companion, came toward me. He'd not been buried under the wide ways of earth, not yet, we'd left his body in Circe's house unwept, unburied...'' (pg. 251 - book 11) This quote is an example of supernatural foes/events because book 11 surrounds Odysseus visiting the underworld to speak with Tiresias and ends up seeing the ghost of his mother and companion, Elpenor. 

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Odysseus is shown as a great hero when it shows in the book that he was much stronger than the average man when he was able to string a bow not even the strongest and most fit suitors could. "like an expert singer skilled at lyre and song who strains a string to a new peg with ease" PG 437. One part in the odyssey where Odysseus was shown to not be a good epic hero was when he didnt tell and prepare his crew about, this is shown when the text says, " they snapped to my each command no mention of Scylla how to fight that nightmare" pg 278. a few of his men  dies do to this and he could have tried to prevent this by preparing his men.

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“I dragged it from the flames, my men clustering round as some god breathed enormous courage through us all. Hoisting high that olive stake with its stabbing point, straight into the monster’s eye they rammed it hard.”(p. 223)                            “But one man alone … his heart set on his wife and his return.”(p. 78)        He fights supernatural enemies like the cyclops, and does these things because he wants to get home not because they have to be done.

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“I dragged it from the flames, my men clustering round as some god breathed enormous courage through us all. Hoisting high that olive stake with its stabbing point, straight into the monster’s eye they rammed it hard.”(p. 223)                            “But one man alone … his heart set on his wife and his return.”(p. 78)        He fights supernatural enemies like the cyclops, and does these things because he wants to get home not because they have to be done.

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"Deadly Charybdis-can't I possibly cut and run from her and still fight Scylla off when Scylla strikes my men" (pg. 275). Odysseus will have to fight off a deadly or supernatural monster, whether it's Scylla or Charybdis. This falls under the characteristic of "Faces Supernatural Foes and/or Receives Supernatural Help."

"Cyclops-if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so-say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, Laertes' son who makes his home in Ithaca." This quote shows that Odysseus was a "braggart." This falls under the "Humility" characteristic of an epic hero, showing that Odysseus wouldn't be an epic hero in this manner.