Question 2

Odysseus is a hero for the modern time due to his perseverance, loyalty and tactics, both of which are traits in heroes of our time. Odysseus shows how devotion is important to him when he arrives at his house after years of travel. Odysseus, disguised as a stranger, asks his men if they would fight along side Odysseus if he returned. The cowherd and swineherd both say that they would, and this loyalty impresses Odysseus. In a separate situation, the goatherd shows how he isn’t loyal to Odysseus when he steals the weapons from the storeroom to help the suitors in the final battle. Odysseus reacts by cutting him to pieces, showing his hatred for traitors. In both of these examples Odysseus is not shown directly being loyal, but his reaction to loyal men shows that it is a quality he values very highly. To succeed in the past and present, it is necessary to have someone you can count on. A modern hero needs to know the importance of loyalty, and Odysseus certainly shows that he knows how important it is.
Another important trait that Odysseus has that is important to modern heroes is tactics. Odysseus is known as the great tactician, and the title is not awarded without merit. Countless time Odysseus escapes a situation by coming up with a grand plan, almost always executed flawlessly. When Odysseus plans to kill the suitors he involves the nurse, the cowherd, the swineherd and Telemachus, all with their own specific instructions. His plan works well, and all the suitors are killed by a mere five men. Odysseus does this again when he has to plan for the concealment of the murders taken place, and tells the bards to play marriage music and for everyone to dress as for a marriage celebration. This plan tricks the town’s people, and works successfully. These tactics shown by Odysseus help him get through many situations alive and with ease, an important ability for a modern hero. They also allow him to accomplish the seemingly impossible, what every hero is able to do. Odysseus would make a good modern hero for his loyalty and tactics, important qualities for heroes in both the past and present.