Odysseus: The Epic Hero
Elyse Krans
Website Design
Spring 2026
Why This Paper?
I wrote this paper because we read some parts of the Odyssey in English class and had this assignment. We got to choose to argue if we believed that Odysseus was or was not an epic hero, and I argued that he was.
Epic heroes: often people who possess noble births and embody the ideals, values, and virtues of their time period. They usually undergo very demanding journeys or quests that may involve supernatural forces of some sort or great challenges. “The Odyssey,” written by Homer around the seventh or eighth century BCE, is an epic poem containing many stories about Odysseus’ ten-year journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. In these adventures, Odysseus is tested in 
almost every way possible but always ends up staying loyal and faithful to the gods, his wife and family, and his hometown, Ithaca. Odysseus is an epic hero because he faces many challenges, resists temptations, and has many of the heroic traits that epic heroes possess.
One of the many qualities of an epic hero is battling supernatural forces, which Odysseus does numerous times. By battling supernatural forces of some sort, this poses a challenge to Odysseus and shows some of his defining traits, such as intelligence, bravery, courage, and leadership, which he showed while fighting the Cyclops. “I drove my big hand spike deep in the embers, charring it again, and cheered my men along with battle talk to keep their courage up…. I drew it from the coals and my four fellows gave me a hand, lugging it near the Cyclops” (Homer, Book 9, lines 145-150). This shows Odysseus encouraging his men during just one of the challenges they faced, highlighting his leadership and courage, even though he might be filled with fear while saving himself and his men from the Cyclops. Although there are various reasons that people could use to argue the fact that Odysseus is an epic hero, this and the next point are two very significant reasons to help prove someone’s case, and here’s why.
Resisting temptation is a very difficult task for many, but not for Odysseus, who did it a multitude of times. One example of this would be when Odysseus and his men landed on the Greek goddess Calypso’s island. “Son of Laertes, versatile Odysseus, after all these years with me, you still desire your old home…. you would stay here with me, and guard this house, and be immortal” (Homer, Book 5, lines 69-75). In this, Calypso is trying to persuade Odysseus into staying with her forever by making him immortal. But, with Odysseus fighting his desire of becoming immortal and making the decision to stay true to his wife, this showcases not just his resistance to temptation, but also his determination and devotion to his wife and coming home. On the other hand, some people do not agree with calling Odysseus an epic hero, even with strong reasoning like this.
Others might argue that Odysseus is not an epic hero since they think he is too prideful, which can lead to him forcing his men into unsafe situations. However, many people do not agree with this point of view and think Odysseus is an epic hero because he knows how to be humble while also doing heroic actions that some might get an excess of pride from. One situation where this happened to be the case was when Odysseus conveyed his humility. “Odysseus enters his home as a beggar, and the suitors mock and abuse him” (Homer, Book 17, lines 47-48). This showcases a heroic quality he possesses, humility, since he is disguised as a beggar in his own palace and endures physical abuse and mockery. During this, though, he puts aside his own pride and chooses humility, patience, and strategy for his bigger plan of taking down the suitors.
So, in other words, Odysseus faces many challenges and trials, resists multiple temptations, and obtains many, if not all, the heroic traits an epic hero has, making himself an epic hero. Odysseus also battles supernatural beings, like the Cyclops, and resists a very tempting offer from Calypso. These examples from “The Odyssey” also help support the claim that Odysseus most definitely is an epic hero. Throughout this epic poem, he teaches us that heroism isn’t just about being an unmatched warrior, but also about having immense courage, even in the face of fear, leadership, perseverance, and so many more heroic qualities while also battling against our own human flaws. All of these reasons combined make it abundantly clear that Odysseus is an epic hero and always will be.
almost every way possible but always ends up staying loyal and faithful to the gods, his wife and family, and his hometown, Ithaca. Odysseus is an epic hero because he faces many challenges, resists temptations, and has many of the heroic traits that epic heroes possess.
One of the many qualities of an epic hero is battling supernatural forces, which Odysseus does numerous times. By battling supernatural forces of some sort, this poses a challenge to Odysseus and shows some of his defining traits, such as intelligence, bravery, courage, and leadership, which he showed while fighting the Cyclops. “I drove my big hand spike deep in the embers, charring it again, and cheered my men along with battle talk to keep their courage up…. I drew it from the coals and my four fellows gave me a hand, lugging it near the Cyclops” (Homer, Book 9, lines 145-150). This shows Odysseus encouraging his men during just one of the challenges they faced, highlighting his leadership and courage, even though he might be filled with fear while saving himself and his men from the Cyclops. Although there are various reasons that people could use to argue the fact that Odysseus is an epic hero, this and the next point are two very significant reasons to help prove someone’s case, and here’s why.
Resisting temptation is a very difficult task for many, but not for Odysseus, who did it a multitude of times. One example of this would be when Odysseus and his men landed on the Greek goddess Calypso’s island. “Son of Laertes, versatile Odysseus, after all these years with me, you still desire your old home…. you would stay here with me, and guard this house, and be immortal” (Homer, Book 5, lines 69-75). In this, Calypso is trying to persuade Odysseus into staying with her forever by making him immortal. But, with Odysseus fighting his desire of becoming immortal and making the decision to stay true to his wife, this showcases not just his resistance to temptation, but also his determination and devotion to his wife and coming home. On the other hand, some people do not agree with calling Odysseus an epic hero, even with strong reasoning like this.
Others might argue that Odysseus is not an epic hero since they think he is too prideful, which can lead to him forcing his men into unsafe situations. However, many people do not agree with this point of view and think Odysseus is an epic hero because he knows how to be humble while also doing heroic actions that some might get an excess of pride from. One situation where this happened to be the case was when Odysseus conveyed his humility. “Odysseus enters his home as a beggar, and the suitors mock and abuse him” (Homer, Book 17, lines 47-48). This showcases a heroic quality he possesses, humility, since he is disguised as a beggar in his own palace and endures physical abuse and mockery. During this, though, he puts aside his own pride and chooses humility, patience, and strategy for his bigger plan of taking down the suitors.
So, in other words, Odysseus faces many challenges and trials, resists multiple temptations, and obtains many, if not all, the heroic traits an epic hero has, making himself an epic hero. Odysseus also battles supernatural beings, like the Cyclops, and resists a very tempting offer from Calypso. These examples from “The Odyssey” also help support the claim that Odysseus most definitely is an epic hero. Throughout this epic poem, he teaches us that heroism isn’t just about being an unmatched warrior, but also about having immense courage, even in the face of fear, leadership, perseverance, and so many more heroic qualities while also battling against our own human flaws. All of these reasons combined make it abundantly clear that Odysseus is an epic hero and always will be.