Odysseus the Hero
Qualities That Show Odysseus' Heroism
Summary
Cunning
Odysseus and his men were trapped by the cyclops and in order to escape, he had to outsmart the cyclops. He knew that killing the cyclops would result in the death of him and his crew, so he devised a different plan that kept the cyclops alive, but still wounded him. " Trapped in the cave we would certainly die, since we'd have no way to move the great stone from the wide entrance." (35)
Survivalist
Odysseus knew how to survive, even when faced with death by cyclops. He rules out killing the cyclops, so he comes up with a plan to make the cyclops drunk and then blind him. That way he could still open the door, but couldn't see them escape strapped to the bottom of his sheep. He even told the cyclops his name was nobody so that when the cyclops yelled "Nobody, my friends, is trying to kill me by violence or treachery." (37) He comes up with a quite ingenious plan that proves most successful in the end. "Off they went, while I laughed to myself at how the name and clever scheme had deceived him." "I dreamed up all sorts of tricks and schemes, as a man will in a life or death matter" (37)
Leader
Odysseus was not only the captain of his crew, but he demonstrated quality leadership skills. He came up with the most efficient way to save him and all of his surviving men. And instead of making a big deal about all of the men that were eaten, he just frowned and moved on. Also, he was the last one to escape the cave, with all of his men before him. He made sure he could save any men that hadn't been eaten. "I considered the best way of escaping, and saving myself, and my men from death." (37) "The rest of you loyal friends stay here, while I and my crew take ship and try to find out who these men are..." (32)