The Odyssey.

The first 200 words of this essay...

The Odyssey

Entry #23 (Epic Hero, 2 entries)

11/24/03

Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, is the story of Odysseus' extensive journey home from the Trojan War and the tribulations he confronts upon his return. The journey itself is quite the adventure. Odysseus and his men come in contact with many obstacles that they must overcome, and there are more hurdles to jump when Odysseus reaches his destination. Odysseus is an epic hero who, besides showing superhuman characteristics in strength, bravery and cleverness, also proves himself through his emotions, leadership, and the corrections of his faults.

Odysseus' emotions are rare, yet profound enough to enhance the way that he is viewed as an epic hero. The first sign of Odysseus' true emotions occur once Odysseus chooses to take the path through the Scylla, a six-headed monster who devours sailors in passing ships, rather than the one through Charybdis, a ship-swallowing whirlpool. While Odysseus and his crew begin to enter the Scylla's territory, the Scylla snatches six of his best men, one for each of her heads. Seeing his trusted men being devoured is truly an upsetting experience for Odysseus. When Odysseus returns to