‘Too human to be a hero’, To what extent do you think Odysseus behaves in a heroic manner?

To answer this question the student should weigh up Odysseus' actions within the Odyssey, discussing whether his behavoiur is more human or more heroic. The student should conclude their answer by provding a decision in agreement or opposition of the statement based on the evidence they provided.

Possible arguments to include:

Heroic Behaviour: 1) Intelligence/ Cunning – escapes Polyphemus’ cave, navigates Scylla and Charybdis and tests his house workers/Eumaeus.  2) Loved by the gods – Athene, Hermes, Zeus, Circe, Calypso and Aeolus to an extent.  3) Loves his family – determined to come home, struggles not to tell Telemachus who he is straight away and cries when trying to keep his identify from Penelope. 4) Brave nature – Odysseus shows little fear throughout all the adventures and the plan of revenge on the suitors.

Human Behaviour: 1) Greed for Kleos – listens to Sirens song, tries to kill Scylla and plunders the Cicones. 2) Boastful nature – reveals his identity to Polyphemus. 3) Materialistic nature – Phaeacians, staying at Polyphemus’ cave for xenia, Aeolus’ wind gift and Calypso’s leaving gifts.  4) Adultery – Calypso and Circe. 5) Cries/ shows emotion – Phaeacians when hears Demodicus’ tales from Troy, Calypso’s island on the beach and recognition scenes with Telemachus, Penelope and Argus. (This point can be used for heroism as well if highlighting he is a new style hero vs old style hero from the Iliad).