Question

Please help!!

Please read over and tell me if this is worth an A and if not why

Lillie Flenniken
Ms. Thornbury
Honors English 9
5 December 2023

Is Odysseus a Hero?

Have you ever seen Spider-Man? Helping those in danger, he saves the city fearlessly every time there is trouble. Odysseus is the main character in the epic poem, The Odyssey, written by Homer. Fighting through challenges, Odysseus and his men face many monsters. Ten years after the war ends, Odysseus returns to his long-awaited family. Odysseus is a hero because of his quick thinking, caring heart, and loyalty.

Smart, reliable, and crafty, Odysseus’s ability to think quickly gets him out of precarious situations. While exploring Polyhemus’ cave, Odysseus and his men become trapped. After being discovered by the giant Cyclops, Odysseus starts talking to him. “My name is Nohbdy: mother, father, and friends, everyone calls me Nohbdy.” (9.368-369) The reason why Odysseus says his name is ‘Nohbdy’ is because he knows this will help them with their escape. Odysseus has only been in this cave briefly and has already planned their escape. He knows what they need to do to get out of this situation; something only a quick thinker would do. Another time his quick wit pays off is before he enters Scylla’s territory. When they arrive, Odysseus talks to his men about what they must do, “...the rudders are your duty/ watch the drift, or we fetch up in the smother and you drown us.” (12.260-264) Like Spider-man, Odysseus has a very good instinct. He knows when to instruct. Quick thinkers like Odysseus have to know when and what to do at the right moments. These types of things prove that Odysseus is a quick thinker.

Heroes need to be able to keep people safe. Odysseus proves he cares multiple times in the epic poem. After discovering the secret of the lotus flowers, Odysseus saves his men from eating any more. “I drove them all three, wailing, to the ships, tied them down/ and called the rest.” (9.214-216) Odysseus shows us he is kind-hearted through his actions. Odysseus’ men do not always listen to him, so keeping them safe can be difficult. He goes out of his way to drag his men back to the boat so they do not forget where they are heading. A caring person sacrifices their well-being to help others. Another time Odysseus expresses his caring heart is after days at sea, Odysseus’ men beg to rest on the nearby island. Odysseus hesitates at first but gives in eventually. After his men arrive on the island, He talks to them about the cattle on the island stating, “...the cattle here are not for our provision or we pay dearly for it.” (12.337-338) He tells his crew to leave the cattle alone because Helios, the sun god, will be upset if they do. He wants to get his men home safely and as quickly as possible. To make sure he can do it he warns them more than this one time about the cattle. This shows us his compassion for his crew.

Loyalty is something that all great leaders value and respect. While in Calypso’s trance, Odysseus talks about how he misses home. “I long for home, long for the sight of home.” (5.120) Odysseus has been trapped on Calypso’s island for roughly 19 years now. His complaining about wanting to be home shows his loyalty to his family. Calypso is a beautiful nymph and would happily marry Odysseus without a moment to spare. Rejecting Calypso and returning to his wife proves Odysseus’ loyalty. Later on, when Odysseus arrives home, Athena reveals him to Telemachus, his son, after spending 20 years apart. “So helplessly they cried, pouring out tears, and might have gone on weeping so till sundown.” (16.115-116) Telemachus grew up without Odysseus to act as a father. Although he had other father figures, Telemachus still missed his real one. We always hear about how men do not cry in front of others. Odysseus is a war hero and is a strong hero. So, when he breaks down after seeing his son, Telemachus, it shows how much he misses him and how loyal he is.

Odysseus is a hero. He defeats deadly monsters with his quick and intelligent thinking. He reveals his compassion for his crew by doing his best to keep them alive. He proves his faithfulness to his family by returning home after a gruesome 20-year journey. Showing these heroic qualities throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus is just as great as any modern hero today.

Answer 1

This essay on whether Odysseus is a hero is well-written and presents a strong argument. It provides a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Here are some positive aspects:

1. **Clear Thesis Statement:** The thesis statement is clearly presented in the introduction, stating that Odysseus is a hero due to his quick thinking, caring heart, and loyalty.

2. **Supporting Evidence:** The essay provides specific examples from "The Odyssey" to support each aspect of Odysseus being a hero. Examples of his quick thinking, compassion for his crew, and loyalty to his family are effectively highlighted.

3. **Analysis:** The writer effectively analyzes Odysseus's actions and characteristics, connecting them to the qualities of a hero. The analysis of specific quotes enhances the depth of the argument.

4. **Organization:** The essay is well-organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of Odysseus's heroism. Transitions between paragraphs are smooth.

However, consider the following points for improvement:

1. **Citation Style:** While not explicitly stated, it's common in academic writing to cite the specific lines or chapters from "The Odyssey" where the quotes are sourced. This adds to the essay's credibility.

2. **Counterargument:** To strengthen the argument, consider addressing potential counterarguments or alternative perspectives on whether Odysseus is a hero. This adds depth to the analysis.

Overall, the essay is well-structured and effectively argues that Odysseus possesses heroic qualities. Depending on the specific grading criteria and expectations, it seems to be of A or A- quality.