Nobody is perfect, not even a hero. In The Odyssey, Odysseus is portrayed as a hero who has many flaws. These Flaws distinguish one hero from another. Homer included these flaws in Odysseus's character to bring Odysseus closer to the reader. A flawed hero, like Odysseus, allows the reader to believe that everybody has hero-potentials, and all one needs is the capability to recognize their own faults and then change them accordingly. Odysseus himself went through this transformation, and as the book progressed, the reader witnessed him being molded into a better person and a great hero. While reading the book one might not perceive Odysseus as a hero because of his mistakes he makes during his journey or the signs of weakness in his personality. However, when one sees that he learns from his errors and uses them to become a better person, one finds true heroism in this man of a thousand faces: a face of modesty yet full of pride, loyalty yet constantly unfaithful, even-handed but quick-tempered, and often too curious for his own good.
Theses flaws are interesting to interpret because, the most important qualities of a hero are his flaws.
Usually when people asked to define a hero, they tend to describe all of the good traits and leave out the defected ones. Therefore, while reading the book they allow their view of Odysseus as a hero to get in the way of all his shortcomings. If readers would realize the flaws of a hero, there would be a closer, more human connection to Odysseus. Also, as his affability grows stronger, one can appreciate his evolution as a character. Thus, flaws in a hero are extremely important in order to create bonds between the hero and the reader.
Pride is Odysseus' main flaw. Because of...