Odysseus has proved on many separate occasions that he is worthy of being a national hero whether it be escaping the depths of Calypso's island, blinding the cyclops, or being able to resist the beautiful voices of the Sirens. He truly is worthy of being our national hero, and we should support him in everything he does.
Some of you may be asking yourselves what is a hero...a hero is someone that goes on a mission and accomplishes something great that is better for his people. Now...some of you may be asking yourselves what he has done to own this prestigious title. I tell you to go back and read my opening paragraph. (I already said what he has done. Go back and use your resources. READ.)
Here is a short excerpt from when Odysseus blinded the cyclops.
"...so we seized our stake with its fiery tip and bored it round and round in the giant's eye till blood came boiling up around that smoking shaft and the hot blast singed his brow and eyelids round the core and the broiling eyeball burst - its crackling roots blazed and hissed - as a blacksmith plunges a glowing ax or adze i an ice-cold bath and the metal screeches steam and its temper hardens..." (IX, 433-440)
Here is a short excerpt from when Odysseus got away from Calypso's Island. Even though Calypso let him go, I think he's a hero because he had to deal with being homesick and missing his wife for years.
"...in the nights, true, he'd sleep with her in the arching cave - he had no choice - unwilling lover alongside lover all too willing...but all his days he'd sit on the rocks and beaches, wrenching his heart with sobs and groans and anguish, gazing out the barren sea through blinding tears. So coming up to him now, the lustrous goddess ventured, "No need, my unlucky one, to grieve here any longer, no, don't waste your life away. Now I am willing, heart and soul, to send you off at last. Come, take bronze tools, cut your lengthy timbers, make them into a broad-beamed raft and top it off with a half-deck high enough to sweep you free and clear on the misty seas. And I myself will stock her with food and water, ruddy wine to your taste - all to stave off hunger - give you clothing, send you a stiff following wind so you can reach your native country all unharmed. If only the gods are willing. They rule the vaulting skies. They're stronger than I to plan and drive things home..."" (V, 170-189)
Here's a short excerpt from when he escaped the island of Circe and was able to resist the voices of the beautiful Sirens.
"...the Sirens sensed at once a ship was racing past and burst into their high, thrilling song: 'Come closer, famous Odysseus - Achaea's pride and glory - moor your ship on our coast so you can hear our song! Never has any sailor passed our shores in his black craft until he has heard the honeyed voices pouring from our lips and once he hears to his heart's content sails on, a wiser man. We know all the pains that the Greeks and Trojans once endured on the spreading plain of Troy when the gods willed it so - all that comes to pass on the fertile earth, we know it all!' So they send their ravishing voices out across the air and the heart inside me throbbed to listen longer. I signaled the crew with frowns to set me free - they flung themselves at the oars and rowed on harder, Perimedes and Eurylochus springing up at once to bind me faster with rope on chafing rope. But once we'd left the Sirens fading in our wake, once we could hear their song no more, their urgent call - my steadfast crew was quick to remove the wax I'd used to seal their ears and loosed the bonds that lashed me..." (XII, 198-217)
Now, Odysseus is obviously a better candidate than his competitor, the suitors. (yes, they are running together...) The suitors have treated his wife rudely and have refused to leave his home. (Telemachus is pissed. REVENGE!!)
One example of the suitors being bad people is when they refuse to leave the home of Odysseus.
"...but now the suitors trooped in with all their swagger and took their seats on low and high-backed chairs. Heralds poured water over their hands for rinsing serving maids brought bread heaped high in trays and the young men brimmed the mixing-bowls with wine. They reached out for the good things that lay at hand, and when they'd put aside desire for food and drink the suitors set their minds on other pleasures, song and dancing, all that crowns a feast..." (I, 169-176)
Another example of why the suitors aren't good candidates is because they were rude to Penelope and Telemachus.
"...down to the last man they court my mother, they lay waste my house! And mother...she neither rejects a marriage she despises nor can she bear to bring the courting to an end - while they continue to bleed my household white..." (I, 288-292)
Now, I urge you, dear reader. Odysseus truly is the only one that can rule this country with his heroism. All the suitors have done is be rude. Odysseus is a MAVERICK (*cough cough I wanna kill McCain...cough cough*) and knows how to be a hero. The suitors are rude and loud and obnoxious and aren't worthy heroism.
Now. As my final statement. Odysseus is worthy of being the hero of our nation. He has proved himself time and time again that he is worthy of being a legend through blinding the cyclops, enduring Calypso's grasp, and denying himself urges through the Sirens. The suitors, however, have only proved they are just fools looking for power. They have tried to court Miss Penelope and have been rude to her, her home, her son, and her maids. This is not proper leadership and shall not be appreciated or rewarded.
LONG LIVE ODYSSEUS!
**R.I.P. GRANDMAMA OBAMA**
