Odyssey

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Odysseus : The Qualities of a Hero

The Odyssey ' by Homer is one of the most recognized epics in world literature . It traces the decade-long journey of Odysseus back to Ithaca after he fought in the Trojan War . He was able to survive the dangerous ten-year voyage which he experienced and safely arrive home Indeed , Odysseus is a truly admirable character , but what what makes him especially laudable is his physical strength , courage , and cunning

One admirable quality which Odysseus possesses is his physical

br strength . Like all Homeric heroes , Odysseus has remarkable physical strength . In Book 18 , he displays such strength even under the disguise of a poor man . Another beggar named Arnaeus , also called Irus , insults Odysseus . Arnaeus challenges Odysseus to a fight and mocks him that he would be easily defeated because he is much older than his opponent Odysseus truly proves him wrong . Homer writes , Odysseus smote him on the neck beneath the ear and crushed in the bones , and straightway the red blood ran forth from his mouth (18 .95 . This is proof of Odysseus strength he was able to defeat a man who was younger than him . While it is true that the goddess Athena did strengthen Odysseus for the fight he was already physically strong to begin with

Another example of Odysseus ' physical strength can be found in Book 21 In this book , Penelope tells her suitors that she would finally choose the man who could string Odysseus ' bow...