Homeric Hero Characteristics Flashcards
Noble birth
A noble birth is essential and heroes are often referred to by a patronymic. A hero views his family as part of his heroic status: Achilles asks Odysseus about his farther, whom he felt he should be protecting. Odysseus status is affected by the actions of his son.
PATRONYMIC
The name of the father, given with, or instead of, the name of the character.
e.g. “Odysseus, son of Laertes”
Relationship with immortals
Heroic individuals attract attention because of their qualities. Some divinities might be supportive while others might be hostile. The gods would not be interested in inferior beings., so divine aid is a mark of heroism, not weakness.
Does Odysseus meet the criteria?
He certainly does, he had Athena’s favour and aid in many of his exploits.
Zeus told Poseidon to let Odysseus come home.
Hermes gives Odysseus Moly so Circe won’t be able to turn into an animal
Apollo deflects arrow coming towards Odysseus
*Poseidon is Odysseu’s divine antagonist
Kleos
glory, renown
A hero may choose a short, famed life, over a longer life lived in obscurity.
Being talked about is a conscious aim of a hero, without kleos, heroic status is impossible
Performing deeds that will earn kleos is always at the forefront of a hero’s mind
Fame is important, at any cost, as with fame comes immortality
A Greek hero earns kleos through accomplishing great deeds.
Does Odysseus meet the criteria?
He did indeed, finally returning to Ithaca, after completing his heroic deeds
Physical strength and beauty
Heros look impressive
they are of huge statue and strength
his imposing appearance is particularly evident before battle
Odysseu’s appearance is not described in terms of beauty, he reminds Priam of a fleecy ram
physical appearance has to match the nobility of the hero . “broad shoulders and strong thighs” , make lesser beings aware that they are being in the presence of a hero
Does Odysseus meet the criteria?
Odysseu’s appearance is not described in terms of beauty, he reminds Priam of a fleecy ram, though every now and then Athena will make him particularly “ beautiful” ( like on an Phaeanecian island) on occasion with a purpose behind it . He’s described to have “broad shoulders and strong thighs” .
Excellence in war
A Hero’s achievements and resulting kleos often takes place on the battlefield.
The hero fights valiantly, killing a number of named individuals
Does Odysseus meet the criteria?
Odysseus has already achieved heroic status fighting the Troy, and now,in the Odyssey, his battle is with witches, cannibals, monsters and his own wife’s Suitors.
Excellence with words
Winning an argument is an important victory over an opponent
it appeals to public opinion, gaining their support = enhances hero’s reputation
using words to frighten an opponent in a battle and mock him in defeat is acceptable
Achilles has been trained to speak at an assembly “ where men win glory”
Helenius to Hector : “ You have never failed in the council chamber on the battle-field”
Does Odysseus meet the criteria?
Odysseus is particularly good at using cunning words: they are his main weapon in his pursuit of glory
he uses clever flattery a lot
Resourcefulness
*HE MADE HIMSELf a raft in four days , from felling the trees to sewing the sail.
A hero has physical skill, mental agility and a capacity to survive, drawing on his inner resources.
He will not give up the challenge to face a difficult situation and win, and looks for opportunities to prove his heroism.
He faced many obstacles, some of which required strength in battle, but many of which required cleverness, resourcefulness, wisdom and a pure heart.
Sometimes a battle is best won not by brute strength or by any kind of force at all. Sometimes it’s about taking the right approach. An obstacle is an obstacle and you always have the choice about whether to push through it or to find a way around it. A clever hero looks for many ways to solve a problem and selects the one that leaves him fit to fight another day.
Timē
Time is the valuing of hero’s achievement by public praise and honour. This valuing comes in the form of gifts, and a her o will measure his statue by the number and value of the gifts he receives. In the Odyssey, the gifts are in the form of treasure. To a Homeric Hero, the gifts were a tangible measure of the glory owed to him.
Does Odysseus meet the criteria
HE WOULD CONSTANTLY GET PRESENTS FROM VARIOUS CHARACTERS. E.G.
MARON, SON OF EUANTHES, the priest of Apollo, gave Odysseus seven talents of wrought gold,with a mixing bowl of solid silver, dozen jars of mellow, unmixed wine
