Topic > The Heroism of Odysseus in The Odyssey - 591

Being a legitimate hero isn't just about possessing the extraordinary supernatural powers commonly seen on television. Heroes are people who help others, often putting themselves at risk to do so. They decided to fight, not necessarily physically, for their values. Odysseus, the main character of the Odyssey, should be considered a hero. He put his life in danger to protect his men from the supernatural threats they faced on their journey. Odysseus should be considered a hero because he is brave, intelligent, and cautious. Odysseus shows his heroism through his courage. When Circe turned her men into pigs, Odysseus confronted her: "I drew my sharp sword and with a leap held it against his throat" ("Circe, the Enchantress", lines 54-55). Odysseus is not afraid to face individuals with power like Circe's to protect his men. He was aware of Circe's magical abilities, but decided that saving his men was worth risking her wrath. In this situation, Odysseus' fearlessness allowed him to save his men from Circe and demonstrate his heroism. Furthermore, Odysseus remains approx...