Final answer:
Odysseus is best known for his intelligence and cleverness, the most relevant choice from the provided options. While hero attributes can change over time, intelligence and wisdom remain consistent. Excessive positive traits can lead to tragic flaws.
Step-by-step explanation:
Odysseus, the protagonist of Homer's epic The Odyssey, is renowned for his intelligence and cleverness rather than purely physical attributes. While he was known to be strong, it is his wits that often saved him and his men during their arduous journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War. One of the most famous examples of his cleverness is his idea of the Trojan Horse, which led to the fall of Troy. Odysseus's attributes align with option 2 from the question which is intelligence and cleverness.
The attributes of a hero can indeed change over time, as societal values and the context in which stories are told evolve. Nevertheless, certain traits such as bravery, intelligence, and a sense of justice tend to remain admired in heroes across cultures and ages. However, when these positive personality traits are taken to extremes or disrupt societal balance, they can become tragic flaws. For instance, excessive pride (hubris) is often depicted as a hero's downfall in Greek tragedies.
A historical example that parallels the fictional Odysseus is Achilles, another famed Greek hero who also appears in Homer's works. Achilles, known for his strength and prowess in battle, had his life dramatically shaped by prophecies and interventions by his mother, Thetis, showcasing that the lives of heroes are often intertwined with elements of fate and divine influence, typical of Ancient Greek literature.