Question

what does odysseus do when his men eat the lotus plant that shows the epic hero characteristic of leadership?
he forces his men to leave and continue the journey home.
he sends his best men to investigate the island.
he comes up with a plan to defeat the lotus - eaters.
he instructs his men on how to avoid tasting the lotus.

Explanation:

Leadership in an epic hero context involves guiding and directing followers towards a goal. When Odysseus' men ate the lotus (which made them want to stay and not continue the journey home), forcing them to leave and continue the journey home shows his role as a leader. Sending men to investigate (before they ate the lotus) is more of a scouting action. Coming up with a plan to defeat lotus - eaters is about combat strategy. Instructing to avoid tasting (before they ate) is a preventive measure. But the key leadership moment (after they were affected) is making them leave.

Answer:

He forces his men to leave and continue the journey home.