answer to question 2

2. Is Odysseus a hero for modern times? His lies, pride and murderous ways can be considered metaphors for larger, universal truths. Or perhaps in these modern times we need to redefine what we want in our heroes.

Human nature: the psychological and social qualities that characterize humankind ("human nature"). These qualities can be found in any human no matter who they are or what era they come from. In Homer's The Odyssey it becomes apparent that Odysseus is considered a great hero. After the great Trojan War, it took him 20 years to return home. He is distracted by many trials, some more honorable then others. When Odysseus arrives back home, disguised, he asks a cowherd and a swineherd what they would say if he were to tell them their great king is back. They rejoice at even the idea and it becomes apparent that Odysseus would be greeted by some as a hero. He knows all the things that happened on his journey home, but is not about to reveal them, longing to be thought of as a hero. Later Odysseus goes on a rampage and kills all his wifes suitors. He does this out of anger and spite because he is home and his household is filled with men courting his wife. Penelope finally discovers that it is her dear husband home again and rejoices. She equally as overjoyed that her suitors have been murdered. This great slaughter is seen as heroic in the eyes of the household. Odysseus can get away with murder and deciet but still be seen as a great hero.
In our day things are a little different. A massive random murder is not as likely to be looked on favorable, let alone heroicly. Our image of a hero has many of the same characteristics as past heros, but it eliminates the grusome and lieing sides. Our heros are still strong, couragious, and detemined, all traits also found in Odysseus. His journey home took him 20 years. It was a long hard journey with many trials. He went to the underworld, and also spent time with many women other then his wife. When Odysseus arrived home he was looked on as a hero by his family. He had done great things in their eyes and overall returned home. All would agree that it is heroic that he even got home after a war like that. When looking at the big picture his hero traits are the same we would see today. Although he did massacre a large amount of men at one time, it did it out of love. His household was being corrupted by these suitors and he was brave and stood up to them. After the battle his son, wife, and servants were all overjoyed that the suitors were gone forever. In our society, not exactly in the same context as a massacre, we would look at someone with that amount of love and courage to be a hero. He stood up for his cause and took care the situation. In modern day a hero would have handled it differently, but with the same essential motives.
Its true that Odysseus had a somewhat dirty and corrupted journey home, but at least he got there. He did have traits such as pride and deception but also possessed courage and love and bravery. The things he did would seem a bit rash to people now, but the reasons behind them remain heroic.




"human nature." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 02 Oct. 2008. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/human nature>.