Final answer:
Odysseus, a central figure in Greek literature, embodies both positive traits such as bravery and cunning and negative traits like arrogance and impulsiveness. These characteristics make him a complex and multifaceted Greek hero.
Step-by-step explanation:
Odysseus' Traits in Greek Literature
The character of Odysseus, the protagonist in Greek literature, notably in Homer's epic the Odyssey, is renowned for having both positive and negative traits. His positive traits unquestionably include bravery and cunning; he's known for being a warrior who can both fight fiercely and think strategically. For example, Odysseus devises the ruse of the Trojan Horse, leading to the fall of Troy. However, he does suffer from certain negative traits as well, such as arrogance and impulsiveness. His arrogance can be seen when he taunts the Cyclops, Polyphemus, revealing his true name which eventually leads to more trouble for him and his crew. His impulsiveness often puts him and his companions in danger, such as when they raid the Cicones or when he delays his journey home for a year to enjoy the hospitality of Circe.
The interplay of these traits makes Odysseus a complex character and a quintessential Greek hero, who undergoes significant personal change over the course of his odyssey. Unlike Achilles or Oedipus, whose tragic flaws are more pronounced, Odysseus' faults are balanced by his heroic virtues, which makes him both compelling and, at times, frustrating from a narrative perspective.