The Heroic Characteristics of Odysseus
             As an early 1800's English poet Robert Browning regards a hero as "One
             who never turned his back but marched breast forward/ Never doubted clouds
             would break/ Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph/
             Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, Sleep to wake." This quote
             suggests that a hero is one who faces many hardships and reveals the many
             heroic characteristics. This quote suggests that a hero is one who is admired for
             qualities or achievements and regarded as an ideal or model. Epic heroes in
             many cases are guarded and aided by gods, but posses common qualities and
             admirable characteristics. Odysseus, the main character of the Odyssey by
             Homer, fits the mold of an epic hero because he is courageous, persistent, and
             Odysseus' courage exemplifies that characteristics of an epic hero. One
             thing that shows his courageousness was his escape from Polyphemus. He was
             courageous to stab out Polyphemus's eyes using a burning pole. Odysseus
             states: "I took my twelve best fighters and went ahead." This example involving
             the Cyclops shows that Odysseus is not the type of leader that sits on safe land
             while he sends his men in to kill, but a brave leader who enjoys nothing more
             than being engaged in battle with his men. Furthermore, Odysseus had the
             heart of a fighter, he would battle whenever necessary, no matter whom his
             opponent was, in this case the giant Cyclops: ". . . drawing the sharp sword from
             my hip I went to stab him." He was fearless enough to take such risks.
             Odysseus' biggest showcase of courage was when he fought off all the Suitors
             that greatly outnumbered him. Despite the fact that he had divine intervention, it
             still took a dauntless man to fight a score of unwelcome suitors. Hence,
             Odysseus carries out the role of a coura
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