The Odyssey

5 Pages 1218 Words

An Honorable Hero?
By: Ryan Volk

Calvin Coolidge once said, “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” In Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, Odysseus is a character that gives nothing, and takes everything, and yet he is still viewed as an honorable man in many people’s eyes. However, Odysseus becomes a hero by telling tales of his past voyages and the miserable endings that they possess. For instance, as Odysseus is telling the Phaiakians about his treacherous voyage to the Laestrygonian land, he makes himself appear to be heroic in his actions, because he attempted to get his men out safely However, all of Odysseus’ actions are really performed in order to benefit Odysseus’ own well-being, not the well being of his crew. The tale that he tells to the Phaiakians is primarily told in order to make them perceive Odysseus as an honorable hero and also so they will aid him in his journey home.
As Odysseus begins his tale, he explains to the Phaiakians, “Six whole days we rowed, six nights, nonstop” (Homer, 233: 88). By starting his melancholy tale with this statement, Odysseus is trying to prove to the Phaiakians that he has determination and bravery. Odysseus then continues his tale by saying, “I alone anchored my black ship outside” (Homer 233: 104), and “I tied her fast to the Cliffside” (Homer 233: 106), in order to gain honorable mention from the Phaiakians. It now appears that Odysseus not only possesses determination and bravery, but strength as well. At this point, the Phaiakians are on Odysseus’ side; after all, he is an honorable man.
Then Odysseus continues his story and it is evident that the sole purpose of his “bravery” is to benefit him. Odysseus is not a hero who wants to save or help others; he is only in it for himself. A hero is any person, especially a man, admired for courage, nobility, and ...