The Odyssey: Heroes

“By a hero, we tend to cling to a heighted man…the sort who risks his life to protect his society’s values, sacrificing his own personal needs for those of the community” This is a quote from, The Adventurer: the Fate of Adventure in the Western World, which opinionatedly defines heroic attributes. Apart from being unnecessarily specific on gender, I agree with this definition of a hero. Though everyone has their own idea of a hero due to unique personal knowledge, beliefs, and backgrounds, the broad, universal depiction of a hero is an admired individual who defies obstacles for the well being of others. Hero portrayals appear in literature and historical studies, personal experience, and through the observations and influence of the surrounding mores. The Odyssey’s protagonist, various family members and friends, and historical and media figures have created a specific interpretation of hero in my mind, which corresponds with the one described in the quote from The Adventurer.
            In Homer’s, The Odyssey, various characters portray heroic actions. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle, naturally has a soft spot for the brave and wily Odysseus. She aids and protects him throughout his journey of numerous difficulties. In book five, Poseidon is angered by the God’s decision to release Odysseus from Calypso’s island, “[Poseidon] churned the waves into chaos, whipping gales, shrouding over in thunderheads…”   (5. 322), so he ignited a storm in hopes of killing Odysseus in its path. Homer writes, “The rest of the winds she stopped…the goddess beat the breakers before Odysseus,” (5. 421-425), this illustrates Athena saving Odysseus at her own risk of angering Poseidon and other Gods for interrupting their destined path for Odysseus. This is a heroic quality because Athena is putting Odysseus’ well being before her own. Athena comprises a variety of other heroic attributes; she is confident, practical, clever, a master of disguises, and a great warrior....