Is Ulysses an epic hero? Is Odysseus, the main character of Homer's Odyssey, really an epic hero? An epic hero embodies several heroic traits such as; have superior or superhuman strength; be intellectual and courageous; and be a strong and responsible leader. An epic hero struggles and is overwhelmed by difficulties. An epic hero is searching for himself, war, or some kind of goal. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca after ten years of war in Troy. Odysseus, on his quest, is forced to venture through a ruthless Cyclops, angry Gods, deeply stubborn Goddesses, the underworld, and determined suitors pursuing his wife Penelope. Odysseus overcomes these obstacles and returns home safely with courage, intelligence, superior strength, courageous leadership and also performs courageous deeds. In his quest, Odysseus uses his superior, superhuman strength to overcome the suitors. In the Odyssey, Penelope holds a contest for all suitors. She declares that she will marry the one who can draw and throw Ulysses' bow through all twelve axes. None of the suitors managed to bend the bow and string it. Ulysses disguised as a beggar then asks if he can try the bow. «Meanwhile the wise Odysseus, when he handled the great bow and observed it closely, - just as one who is skilled in playing the lyre and singing, easily tightens a string around his new peg, fixing the twisted sheep's gut at each end ; so effortlessly Odysseus drew the mighty bow. Holding it now with his right hand, he tested the string; and clearly to the touch it sang, with the voice of the swallow…. Then, placing the arrow on the bow, he pulled the string and the notches of the arrow, and out of the bench on which he sat he flew the shaft, with aimed attention, and did not miss the ring of an ax from first to last , but he cleaned everything up by running on the bronze-tipped arrow” (Homer 210-211). Odysseus used his superior strength to bend his bow because he was the only one who was able to bend and draw it. In his quest, Odysseus uses his superior intellect to outsmart Polyphemus, the Cyclops. Ulysses and his men arrive on the land of the Cyclopes. Odysseus then chooses his twelve best men and travels across the land and comes across a cave. Ulysses and his men get done... middle of the paper... well, he could have left his men under the influence and set sail but instead he dragged everyone by force and brought them back to order. All Ulysses was not a quality of an epic hero. For example, Odysseus raided Ismarus, the city of the Cicones. Odysseus and his men took all the treasures and the woman. Odysseus was also dissolute with Penelope. Odysseus stayed with Circe for a year and with Calypso for seven years. This makes Odysseus seem like less of an epic hero, but if you consider the other facts about him you should think otherwise. Odysseus was superior in strength because he was the only person who could bend and string his bow. Odysseus was intelligent and courageous in resisting Polyphemus. Odysseus was a responsible and strong leader forcing his men under the influence to board the ship and continue their journey home. Therefore, I can conclude that Odysseus is indeed an epic hero. Odysseus encountered many difficulties during his journey, but he forced himself to continue despite his numerous encounters with gods, goddesses, Cyclopes, and suitors. Works Cited Homer. The Odyssey. Minneola, New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1999.