In Homer's The Odyssey, Odysseus portrays the perfect Homeric hero in possessing all the defining traits of an admirable hero and leader. Not only does he display courage, strength, and a mentality for glory, but also intellect and cunningness superior to other men. His personal flaws and errors in his transgressions that bring about the tribulations in the Odyssey epic depict a human being instead of a god, making his many heroic successes and triumphs even more admirable.
The epic's protagonist, Odysseus, is immediately introduced as the hero whose sharp intellect and wit helped win the Trojan war. The Odyssey continues to exemplify his heroic traits in the epic of his homecoming. His cunningness, Odysseus" most defining heroic characteristic, allows the escape and rescue of him and his men during their many dangerous encounters and obstacles. In Book 9, Odysseus escapes the one-eyed Cyclops, Polyphemus, by blinding the Cyclops and hiding his men under the bellies of the monster's sheep who hence carry the men out of the cave. However, Odysseus" "heroic" thirst for glory defies his dexterous prudence that he displays when devising and carrying out the plan for escape from the Cyclops" cave. Initially identifying himself as "Nobody" as to undermine Polyphemus" cries for help, Odysseus later identifies himself with his true identity, allowing Polyphemus" father, the god Poseidon, to lay vengeance on Odysseus and his men, therefore adumbrating the positive and obvious outcome of his plan, his men's safety. By his unnecessary taunts, Odysseus flaws his heroic character through excessive pride, whose consequences are manifested throughout the epic. However, this act proliferates his glory according to Odysseus, as by spreading his name after completing a heroic and glorifying accomplishment.
Another important heroic characteristic significant of Odysseus is his articulate and convincing way of speech in which is used to manipulate an audience to his benefit.
