Every Epic follows a certain guideline, it is written in an elevated style consisting of a hero and deeds he does during his travels or journey. In the Odyssey written by Homer, the hero named Odysseus portrays many Hero-like characteristics that can make the reader envious. Homer gives Odysseus 3 traits that fit the definition of a hero like a glove. Odysseus is courageous, has great strength and ability, and exhibits noble qualities. Odysseus shows his courage early on in the Epic by agreeing to go and fight in the Trojan War where he was needed.
He knew he was risking never seeing his family again but he was willing to fight. The greatest proof of Odysseus being a true hero was his strength and ability. During the war he showed his smarts. He devised the wooden horse plan, where a bunch of soldier packed into a huge wooden horse and were brought into the city of Troy then came out during the night and burned and attacked the people and the city. The smart thinking of Odysseus ended the 10 year long war. Also in book 21 Penelope held the contest to win her hand.
The contest was a simple as; whoever could string Odysseus bow and shoot the arrow through 12 ax heads would be Penelopes husband. Penelope knew Odysseus was the only person who could perform such a feat. This event showed how strong Odysseus was. After the contest when Odysseus made his presence clear he has the courage and Strength to give the suitors 4 reasons for to die. He tells them you took my house, you took my maids, you tried to take my wife, and you disrespected the gods. It took guts to say that after being gone for 20 years.
He shows his strength by proceeding killing all of the suitors without any outside help. Odysseus is a noble character who everyone looks up to. Besides some of the suitors, Odysseus is respected by most of the other characters. Antionoos and Euremakus are especially rude suitors who treated Odysseus like dirt when he was dressed as a beggar. Odysseus treated everyone with the same amount of respect they gave him. When compared with other heros for example Superman, Odysseus fits right in. He has the traits of a true hero and it shows throughout the Odyssey.