What makes Odysseus an epic hero? Odysseus has been one of the most frequently portrayed figures in literature. He has both heroic traits and human weaknesses. He has defeated a Cyclops, traveled to "The Kingdom of the Dead", and defeated the suitors that were courting his wife. But what makes Odysseus an epic hero, and what heroic traits of an epic hero does Odysseus portray?

A trait that makes Odysseus an epic hero is that he is very courageous and intelligence. He showed courage and intelligence when he was in Polyphemus the Cyclops's cave. All his men panicked but Odysseus kept his cool. First Odysseus showed his intelligence by telling the Cyclops that his name was "Nobody." So when Odysseus stabs Polyphemus in the eye he couldn't tell anyone who did it, because "Nobody" did it. Odysseus stabbing the giant Cyclops showed lots of Courage...