Courage, noble qualities, leadership, bravery, physical and mental strength, exceptional wisdom and risking one's life are just a few characteristics that would describe a Homeric hero. If we consider the nature and work of Ulysses and Churchill, both possess essential characteristics that qualify them as heroes. Odysseus and Churchill's many triumphs and their courage, intelligence, and leadership abilities repeatedly reveal their heroic nature and bravery. For twenty years, Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, overcame every obstacle the gods presented to him. He encountered many islands and unpredictable places during his journey. On all the obstacles he encounters, he demonstrates his intelligence by deceiving the monsters and/or using his physical strength. On the mythical island of Ogygia, the Calypso princes took him prisoner, forbidding him from leaving the kingdom. She entertained him, took advantage of him and asked him to stay forever, but she could not overcome his desire to return home, even promising him immorality. Similarly, on Cyclops Island, he and his crew were nearly killed by the giant one-eyed cyclops, Polyphemus. Clever Odysseus says his name is “no one” and blinds Polyphemus. They fled by tying themselves under the bellies of the sheep. They reached the island of Circe, where they confronted Helios' daughter Circe, who had the magical power to transform humans into lions, pigs, monkeys and wolves. Attracted by her charming song, the crew casually entered the palace and were transformed into pigs by her powerful spell. When Odysseus arrived at his palace, Circe was surprised because she had never met anyone who was not bewitched by his fate. She forced him to stay with her for a year and be her love so she could...... middle of paper ....... November 6, 2011.2. Forster, Matt. “Winston Churchill.” Winston Churchill (2009): 1-3. Book collection: non-fiction. Internet. November 5, 2011.3. Johnson, Paul. Churchill. New York: Penguin, 2010.4. Lattimore, Richmond Alexander. Homer's Odyssey. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2007. Print.5. Margalit Finkelberg (1995). Ulysses and the “Hero” genre. Greece and Rome (second series), 42, p 1-146. “Ulysses.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Online academic edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. September 19, 2011. .7. "Mr. Winston Churchill." Encyclopedia Britannica. Online academic edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. September 8. 2011. .