odysseus as an epic hero

“The strong god glittering left her as he spoke, and now her ladyship, having given heed to Zeus’s mandate, went to find Odysseus in his stone seat to seaward-tear on tear brimming his eyes. By the time Odysseus returns to Ithaka he is no longer the fierce warrior he was when he left troy. Odysseus has revealed that he now knows the error of his ways, he fully admits to the evil in being a prideful warrior. After stopping on the island of Aiaia, the home of Kirke, Odysseus journeys to Hades. After nine years on Kalypso’s island Odysseus finally continues his journey home.

Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, tells the story of a man who through extreme turmoil realizes his faults and learns to be a more balanced individual. Odysseus had begun to lose hope of ever getting home. Odysseus has battled his fellow man and won; he has struggled with monster and triumphed, he has grappled with temptation and overcome human desire; but most importantly, he has combated against the evils of his own soul and prevailed. His time of incubation on Kalypso’s isle is over and he emerges naked and bloody – like the day he was born. Through a symbolic death and rebirth, Odysseus has become a man who is worthy to be called an epic hero. He has also learned that a man is not as strong as he wants to be; a man is as strong as the gods want him to be.

Odysseus’ journey has thought him many valuable lessons. Once he has landed on Phaiakia, Odysseus realizes that he cannot continue on as a bloodthirsty warrior, but rather must heed the wisdom passed is at this point that Odysseus begins to fully comprehend the effects his actions have on those around him, as well as on his future. This represents a symbolic death for Odysseus.