What is an Epic Hero? In Homer's The Odyssey, Odysseus demonstrates he is a quick thinker and makes tough decisions wisely. There are seven characteristics to an epic hero. Odysseus is an epic hero because he has faults, takes part in long journeys, and has super-human strength.
             Although Odysseus is compared to the gods, he still has many flaws. Right after Odysseus made a tough decision, he says to himself, "I entered Circe's flawless bed of love"(Homer 10.80). Odysseus is an epic hero because aside from his greatness, he has weaknesses too. Odysseus demonstrates another flaw when, "How do you like the beating that we gave you,/ you damned cannibal? Eater of guests/ undo your roof"(9.292-294). Odysseus shouting at the Cyclops represents a flaw of his. As a result, Odysseus has many characteristics of an epic hero in The Odyssey.
             The Odyssey tells the tale of Odysseus' epic excursion. Odysseus tells stories like, "What shall I say/ first? What shall I keep until the end? The gods have tried me in a thousand ways"(9.1-3). Odysseus endures a long excursion because the gods interfered with his actions getting home. Odysseus says, "I might have made it safely home, that time,/ but as I came around the Malea Current/ took me out to sea..."(9.29-31). Odysseus must endure a lot of pain and do a lot of hard work just to get home safely. All in all, Odysseus experienced an epic excursion just to make it back home to Ithica.
             Odysseus has many traits but none as important as his god like strength. Odysseus shows up 100 suitors when, "Odysseus in one motion strung the bow/ then slid his right hand down the cord and plucked it. So the taut gut vibrating hummed and sang/ a swallows note"(21.203-206). Odysseus stringing the bow represents a characteristic of an epic hero; Odysseus accomplished what 100 suitors could not. Odysseus was on his way home when, "I might have m...