In the Introduction to Fagles translation of the Odyssey, he writes that Odysseus differs from Achilles as a hero, because aside from his skills as a warrior and his command for respect, he "has the talent necessary for the deceiver; he is a persuasive speaker" (37). In the Odyssey, we see the definition of hero shift from a value for mere physical strength to an appreciation for the power of words, cleverness, and storytelling as well.
Why do you think societies create heroes? What values do we expect our heroes to represent? What values did the Greeks expect their heroes to represent? How does the idea of the "tragic flaw" change the way we look at our heroes? Do we look for tragic flaws today? Is Odysseus the only hero in the epic? What about Telemachus or Penelope?
Please post your response to these questions in the comments. You do not need to write more than a few sentences or a short paragraph--just your immediate thoughts, and perhaps an example to support them from the book.
