Homer s Odyssey The Epic Hero - 999 Words

Odysseus can be classified as one of the most well-known epic heroes, and a clear example of Greek priorities and ideals. Written many years after, the Aeneid likewise depicts an epic hero, Aeneas, that also completes a long journey and has closely related aspects to the story of the Odyssey. Virgil’s Aeneid imitates various crucial aspects of Homer’s Odyssey, including: the main protagonist passing through comparable sexual temptations, a similar relationship with the gods, and an analogous end to their enemies by their own hand. However, while the epic stories contain many similarities, Virgil starkly contrasts Aeneas’ intents and actions from those of Odysseus, illustrating Roman priorities and characteristics above those of the Greek. Both the plot parallels and the differences of actions between the protagonists help Virgil use the Odyssey to a superior, Roman epic hero. Both Aeneas and Odysseus were confronted with, and gave into, sexual temptation. However, the duration of their relationships and the intentions displayed by Aeneas and Odysseus varied significantly. On the island of Carthage, Aeneas gave into temptation and had a relationship with Dido for some time. However, Mercury reminds Aeneas of his duty, causing him heartache. While it is hard for Aeneas to leave Dido, he willingly does so because of the importance of responsibility in the Roman culture (Virgil 1161). However, Odysseus’ relationship with Circe in the Odyssey had a longer duration and lacked aShow MoreRelatedHomer s Epic Hero, The Odyssey, By Homer1670 Words   |  7 Pagesthe greatest tales of a hero is one of a man returning home after war. King of Ithaca, Odysseus was a Greek champion in the Trojan War. However, he is known best not for his heroic acts during combat, but for his journey back to Ithaca, to his wife and son, in the ten years that follow. In Homerâ €™s epic hero, The Odyssey, the Greek poet tells of Odysseus’s hardships and how he used his heroic traits to overcome them. The myth is told in twenty four books. Odysseus is a hero because of his clevernessRead MoreThe Hero Of Homer s Epic Tale, The Odyssey1922 Words   |  8 Pagesthe mythological Grecian subject of Homer s epic tale, The Odyssey. This legendary figure displays exemplary brains and muscle, appearing almost superhuman at times. He embodies the ideals Greeks heroes aspired to: manly valor, loyalty to both his family and friends, as well as keen intelligence. The popularity of Odysseus has proven timeless; to this day, he remains greatly admired as both a hero, and an ordinary man who must overcome hurdles and embark on epic adventures in order to regain theRead MoreThe Epic Hero in Homer ´s The Odyssey 609 Words   |  2 Pages Epic Heroes are those that portray extraordinary traits, in which of displaying honor, integrity, sacrifice for the bett er, and loyalty. They are considered role models in a sense, thus providing the lessons, morals, and beliefs. Whether it is judging right from wrong, accomplishing the greater good, and many others teach lifelong messages that will continue to be passed down generation after generation. The Odyssey was written by a blind poet named Homer, who was also renowned author of The IliadRead MoreOdysseus - a Different Type of Hero1225 Words   |  5 PagesOdysseus Ââ€" A Different Type of Hero The Homeric epic, the Odyssey, is set in the peaceful years following the Trojan War, and concerns the returning heroes on their journeys home, in particular Odysseus of Ithaca. Odysseus is an epic hero; he displays courage, superior strength, and leadership, all qualities that people admire. While displaying these archetypal heroic traits he also displays his weaknesses as a man, particularly his excessive pride, which actually make him easy to relate to. SoRead MoreThe Epic Of The Odyssey Essay942 Words   |  4 Pagesman who knows it s his right to be king, but who has to deal with adversity in order to get there. However, compared to Odysseus in The Odyssey, who is strong, but untrusting, we will soon see that Sunjata is not only a man but a hero. In both texts we see each man adored by many and even compared to Gods like Odysseus in The Odyssey. However, when we break down the words of each epic we are faced to confront the truths of what a hero really is. This claim explains w hy The Odyssey expresses a falseRead MoreHistory, Symbolism, and Characters in Homer’s The Odyssey 1118 Words   |  5 Pages In The Odyssey, it takes Odysseus twenty years to make it home from the Trojan War. On his journey home, he runs into many obstacles and creatures that he must overcome. He encounters the sirens, the Cyclops, and others. Each event in this epic poem has a symbolic meaning behind it. Homer writes about the history, symbolism, and the characters in The Odyssey. The Odyssey is about the Greek gods and heroes and their adventures (Makman). Odysseus is the main character, and he is going on a questRead MoreGreek Epics873 Words   |  4 PagesGreek Epics There are some challenges in each history period, and authors will create some heroes in their epics that reflect values of the culture at the time. By studying the hero’s actions and his motivations, it tells the society conditions and the civilization of that history period. Homer; the authors of The Iliad and The Odyssey; and Vergil; the authors of The Aeneid are two of the greatest writers in ancient western civilization. There are heroes in these three literatures to reflectRead MoreThe Odyssey Heros Journey Essay1322 Words   |  6 PagesThe timeless story, The Odyssey, has left it’s mark in literature as one of the first narratives depicting the hero’s journey cycle. This work of creative writing has laid the foundation of storytelling that would later inspire other popular writings like, The Hunger Games, The Lord of The Rings, and Harry Potter. How has this ancient novel withstand the sands of time and remain relevant and appealing even to modern day readers? The Odyssey touches upon many topics that appear attractive to evenRead MoreThe Bronze And Iron Age Essay2093 Words   |  9 PagesQuestion: 1-What Can Homer tell us about the Bronze and Iron Age The Bronze and Iron Ages were 2 of the main periods in Greek History and Homer can tell us a lot about them. The Bronze Age was all about mixing copper with tin or arsenic to bronze hence it is called the Bronze Age. The Iron Age was when the whole of the east Mediterranean was in crisis. In central Anatolia, the collapse of the Hitties opened the gates to invaders who overran the country. Firstly, let’s talk about Homer- a lot of the worksRead MoreKleos in The Odyssey by Homer938 Words   |  4 PagesTHE ODYSSEY Heroic glory occupies a very crucial place in the Indo-European epic tradition, because the Greek society is a shame culture, in which being honoured is one of the primary purposes of people s lives. Hence, the concept of kleos formed an essential part of the bardic tradition which helped the people to maintain the heroic stature of the mythical heroes from generation to generation. This is why, it has got an important place in the Greek epics also. In The Odyssey by Homer also