The Odyssey

            According to the dictionary, the definition of a hero is a person who exhibits courage, unselfishness, and great strength. "The Odyssey", written by the blind poet Homer, is the story of Odysseus and his journey back home to Ithaca. Odysseus's journey involves gods and goddesses, friends and foes, each with their own characteristics and personalities. He battled with Poseidon and got past Scylla, but risked the lives of others to reach his goal. In the Odyssey, Odysseus does not exemplify the concept of a modern hero. A hero should be someone who is unselfish, not full of themselves, and faithful. .
             Odysseus was willing to endanger the lives of other in order to fulfill his own desires. For example, when Circe explained to Odysseus the fact that he had to go to Hades, he did not care that the sailors didn't want to risk going there. Instead he made them go anyway. Odysseus: "To Hades! I have to talk to Tiresias!" Sailors: "Hades! No! I don't believe it! We"ll never get back!" Odysseus: "We"re off to the edge of the world!" (Part 3, Page 3). This shows that to Odysseus, the feelings of the sailors had no importance to him. When Odysseus goes to see the Cyclops, he makes a deal with him so that he is the last one eaten, and has more time to escape. Cyclops: "Then I"ll eat "No One" last of all! After the rest of them! But ill eat the others first, oh yes! There that's your gift!" (Part 2, Page 7) This shows that he likes to put himself before others.
             Other than being selfish, Odysseus was also pretty much full of himself and somewhat conceited. Perhaps the part that best illustrates this is when Odysseus is at sea and is bragging to the sailors about his courage and wisdom. "Even then we escaped didn't we, with my courage, and my advice, and my brain power" (Part 3, Page 13) Therefore, this quote represents the idea that Odysseus is a little too full of himself. He should at least be grateful that the sailors are even accompanying him on his little trip.