My Name 2 My Name 1 My Name My Teacher English 9H 3 November 2013 Odysseus: Epic Hero or Not? An ordinary man, minding his own business, suddenly is called on a journey with lots of hardships, comes back to his old home with tons of wealth, and becomes an epic hero in the blink on an eye. The characteristics call to action, going on a quest, going to a supernatural place, having a low point, and restitution all define an epic hero. Odysseus, in The Odyssey by Homer, has many defining characteristics of an epic hero, including experiencing a low point and finally having a restitution.