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Essay / The heroism of Odysseus in The Odyssey - 591
Being a legitimate hero is not just about possessing the extraordinary supernatural powers commonly seen on television. Heroes are people who help others, often putting themselves at risk. They made the decision to fight, not necessarily physically, for their values. Ulysses, the main character of The Odyssey, should be considered a hero. He put his own life on the line to protect his men from the supernatural threats they faced throughout their journey. Odysseus should be considered a hero because he is courageous, intelligent and prudent. Odysseus shows his heroism through his bravery. When Circe transformed her men into pigs, Odysseus confronted her: “I drew my sharp sword and with a single leap held it to her throat” (“Circe, the Enchantress” lines 54-55). Odysseus is not afraid to face powerful individuals like Circe to protect his men. He was aware of Circe's magical abilities, but he decided that saving his men was worth risking her wrath. In this situation, Odysseus's intrepidity allowed him to save his men from Circe and prove his heroism. Moreover, Ulysses remains this...