The character Odysseus of Greek mythology and U.S. President George W. Bush exhibit the same qualties all heroes have: Courage, strength, concern for children, and ordinary flaws all humans possess.
Until the beginning of this century, heroes have lived with the same traits up till today. Through three millenniums, heroes still make mistakes, misdeem, and sometime lie to keep themselves on top; these traits seems awfully similar to an ordinary person. After reading the tale of the Odyssey, heroes back then proved no different, as well as our modern heroes today. Two heroes of different time periods, living two different paths, know what it takes to be a leader; both George W. Bush and Odysseus will soon surprisingly reveal that no matter how they handle a situation, their heroic traits are closely related.
In the Odyssey, the hero Odysseus exemplifies qualities and traits reflected as the highest ideals in the Ancient Greek culture. Odysseus has the defining characteristics of a hero: strength, courage, nobility, a thirst for glory, and confidence in his actions. Although they may have these helpful traits, a hero has drawbacks as well. In Odysseus's case, temptation and seduction proves some of his very worse traits. Homer introduces the hero in an unheroic way. First, we find him sulking alone by himself for the exception of the love-struck goddess, Calypso, who has imprisoned him on her island. (Homer 892) Odysseus has plans to return home but Odysseus recklessly stays off course for 7 long years, which makes him seem like a procrastinator. Why we think Odysseus lacks the motivation to return home becomes even more puzzling when the reader understands the relationship between Odysseus and Penelope. Even though Odysseus is unaware of the situation among Penelope and the suitors, he continues to yearn, an unexpected event of a hero. In another event when a woman tempts Odysseus, Odysseus becomes Circe's lover after realizing she has met her match. Again, Odysseus lets himself off course but this time, only a short period. While his crew seems not to mind the respite, Odysseus particularly enjoys staying with the witch goddess, even though his faithful wife is waiting for him. From the recent of event of the soldiers transforming into pigs, the reader could imagine later on that the soldiers, for the first time, critize their leader for choosing to remain on the. So the search for hero's homeland continues. This reveals that Odysseus enjoys being seduced by women; a negative trait. Leaders excel in skill, strength, and courage; they use these traits that help make them become heroes. Odysseus shows his extraordinary strength as he demonstrates by stringing the bow. (Homer 936) The suitors boldly try the bow but no one could bend it enough to string it, but Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, strings it effortlessly. Thus showing how strong he is compared to all the suitors. Odysseus reveals courage and skill after stringing the bow, but soon after, he faces the suitors bravely and rains them with arrows. (Homer 941) The bow offers double meaning to the scene, for the beggar's success not only implies his identity as Odysseus, but reveals his superiority to the suitors. Speaking to the crowd, Odysseus says, "So much for that. Your clean-cut game is over..." (Homer 941) His death speech to the suitors adds a terrifying feeling to them. The surprise return of Odysseus frightens them even more because they all thought he was already dead. Odyssey's speech of courage allows a seamless transition into what became a blood bath among the suitors. Thus, the hero leads himself to victory by using his courage and skill. Another one of Odysseus's trait is his cunningness and endurance upon his return to Ithaca.(Homer 928) Disguised as a beggar, he does not instantly react to the abuse he receives from the suitors. Instead, he endures it until the traps he has planned would put him in a position from which he can strike back effectively. Revealing himself immediately on his return would cause the suitors to kill Odysseus right on the spot; therefore, this scheme shows Odysseus's cunning. Heroes meet monsters and temptations along their journey; as a hero, they must overcome them. Odysseus's enticement for triumph over Polyphemus backfires when he reveals his name to him; thus, making Poseidon bring wrath upon Odysseus and his men. (Homer 907) The revelation of his identity to Polyphemus ultimately proves foolish and because it embodies lack of foresight. This act of hubris, or excessive pride, ensures automatically that Odysseus will suffer grave consequences. Not only did he tell his name, but a title as well, "raider of cities." To value his great name, he uses symbols; the height of glory is achieved by spreading the name abroad through great deeds. It proves obvious that Odysseus is glory-seeking rather tan home-seeking. A likewise obstacle of a mortal, to become tempted and have the inability to control their thoughts, this proves the temptation Odysseus had to encounter.
Also, George W. Bush, the leader of the most powerful country in the free world illustrates by his conduct honorable qualities of character respected in contemporary culture. He stands out courage and strength in all of his actions; especially when helping out others. Bush has the courage to broaden his horizons; so it would allow him to better help children. (Dotson 5) Broadening one's horizons lets that person experience the great things the world has to offer. Anyone could become a leader, but to understand the followers' opinions, interpreting how they feel helps take the leader to the next level. Bush believes that parents should care for their child. (Dotson 3) Children depend on their parents to guide them to success. So in the future, that person may help other children to succeed and make the world a better place. Before President George W. Bush became a hero to millions of people, he wanted to become a governor of Texas. (Dotson 4) Since his goal, to help children by improving the education system in Texas, proves his first priority, he tempts himself into being a leader. Other governors and leaders could follow his example and they can become heroes among their own state. At a young age, Bush was tempted to work as hard as John White. (Dotson 2) Because Bush himself enjoyed helping children, he later became a hero to his people because of his great deed. To become a hero, taking the path to become one comes from a guide, who supports the hero along the way. Bush was deeply concerned about the education system in his state; as a result, he wanted to take command of it. (Dotson 4) He follows his father's footsteps and becomes governor of Texas. His father guides Bush through the techniques and essentials to become a great leader; this shows that Bush is willing to accept the challenge and make his stand. Bush's father, being his Guide, teaches him the values that his father thinks is important, but not tell him what to do. (Dotson 3) George W. Bush must learn his ways by finding the answer himself; if his father shows him what to do, Bush would never be able to become a hero. Instead, his father would be the true hero.
For all these examples, no matter what time period heroes live in, heroes will remain to keep the same traits. And that proves that only these traits could make a hero born.
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