The Odyssey Book 5: Odysseus-- Nymph and Shipwreck The Homeric Hero

I. What is a Homeric Hero? One who captures the essence of the ideal individual of a nation A brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand eventsnoble

II. What are the qualities of a Homeric Hero?  Very intelligent  Experiences a wide range of emotions  Faces and makes complex and difficult decisions  Strives for arête  Goal is to achieve kleos  Receives supernatural help  Public approval is crucial to self- esteem  Has super human strength

III. What is arête? (ar-et; air-a-tay)  Strength, skill, courage, determination  Athletic field and battlefield  Courage  Moral responsibility

What is kleos? (clay-os) Kleos (Greek: κλέος) is the Greek word often translated to "renown", or "glory". It is related to the word "to hear" and carries the implied meaning of "what others hear about you". A Greek hero earns kleos through accomplishing great deeds, often through his own death.

IV. Greek view of a Homeric Hero a. Valued for his strength and skill, courage and determination b. Achieves glory and honor during lifetime c. Remembered after his death for the above attributes (immortality) d. Lasting fame places the hero lower than the gods but higher than the ordinary man

V. Why do we study the Homeric Hero?  Allows us to learn about our own attitudes  Allows us to gain insights into our own goals  Enables us to find the qualities of a hero in ourselves