Similarities Between Achilles And Odysseus - 1110 Words

Heroics (A Comparison of Heroic Traits Displayed by Achilles and Odysseus in Homer’s, Iliad and Odyssey) Humanity has always strived for greatness, and is destined to continue this attempt till the world stops spinning. Through the art of storytelling, and literature, we have weaved images of what the ideal human should be. Countless works of literature depict such humans as â€Å"heroes†, due to the inspiration they stir within our imperfect souls. Truly epic heroes shape future stories, and remain influential despite the weathering of time. Two heroes of epic proportions can be found in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, through the grand tales of Achilles and Odysseus. How are these two men heroes? Better yet, what makes each unique in their†¦show more content†¦His actions directly cause even more difficulties on his journey home. In Achilles’ case, his pride indirectly influenced the fate of countless Greeks willing to fight against Troy, while he remained pouting. In an article about the Trojan War, Kevin Osborn states, â€Å"His tremendous pride caused him at one point to abandon his Greek comrades and quit the war because he felt insulted,† (Osborn). Had Achilles fought sooner, the war would have ended faster, and less lives would have been lost. Yet, as any great hero should be, both these men are terrific fighters. These men do not shy away from any form of combat and have no fear of getting blood on their hands. The real differences between these heroes appears in their methods of enacting violence. Through his actions in the Iliad, Achilles proves himself to be a very linear, and one dimensional hero, relying on singular solutions to solve any challenge. In one of the very first interactions with Achilles in the Iliad, Odysseus and other captains are sent to persuade Achilles to join the fray. Achilles retorts, â€Å"I hate that man like the very Gates of Death who says one thing but hides another in his heart,† ( Homer, 377-380). Clearly, Achilles prefers a straightforward and honest approach towards life as well as battle. Being aShow MoreRelatedHow Does Homer Use The Effectiveness Of Ajax s Speech1723 Words   |  7 PagesAjax’s similarities to Achilles and the speech’s focus on the Greek value of timÄ“ (one’s honor or how one is perceived by others), to reveal the motivations and nature of Achilles. In book IX of the Iliad, Ajax, known primarily for his brute strength and martial prowess, delivers the speech Achilles finds most compelling. Conversely, Odysseus, although the most adept orator sent, is the least effective in convincing Achilles to rejoin the war. In my opinion, this is because while Odysseus uses aRead MoreA Comparative Analysis of Odysseus and Achilles Essay1207 Words   |  5 PagesA Comparative Analysis of Odysseus and Achilles The Trojan War was more than a series of battles between opposing forces, it was the climax of an age of heroes. The retrieval of Helen brought together many of the mythological characters of that time onto a single stage. Of the thousands of brave men who fought at Ilion, two men stood above the masses, sharing the title of hero. They were born in the line of those on Mt. Olympus, favored by the gods. Excelling in courage and skill, adored by thoseRead More Iliad Essay1253 Words   |  6 Pagesconclusion that the poems were produced in the late eighteenth century (Latacz , 59). There are several similarities in the two stories of the Iliad and the Odyssey. The two stories are classic, epic poems written by the legendary poet Homer. Achilles and Odysseus, the main antagonists of the Iliad and the Odyssey, are both Greek warriors and are both represented in each of the poems in some fashion. Odysseus is shown in the Iliad all throughout as one of the Greek forces most cunning warriors (Coleman-NortonRead MoreAgamemnon And Achilles In The Book 11 Of The Odyssey842 Words   |  4 Pagesfoil to Achilles through Agamemnon and Achilles’ stories and showing us a different perspective about heroic death with fame and glory(kleos). Homer uses Agamemnon, Achilles, and Heracles as characters for a comparison between their ended lives in Hades and Odysseus’ undead life. The story of Achilles’ failure to return to home and Agamemnon’s tragic death from her faithless wife acts as a foil to Odysseus and her faithful wife in the Book 11. Also, the comparison between Heracles and Achilles in termsRead Moreodysseus and achilles1072 Words   |  5 PagesRemembrance The ancient people of Greek mythology believed there was a recipe for a mortal man to claim immortality, and have a name that echoes throughout the ages. The ingredients can be found between the two very popular mythical figures of ancient Greece, Odysseus from Homer’s â€Å"The Odyssey and Achilles from his other timeless story, â€Å"The Iliad†. This document will relay the commonalities shared through tragedy, and revenge, along with the contrasting characteristics of personality, methodologyRead More Iliad Paragraphs1553 Words   |  7 Pageshis fancy. For example, Agamemnon, when faced with the decision to send Chryseis back to the Temple of Apollo, claimed Briseis instead. Achilles, â€Å"who had grown to care for Briseis† (pg. 19), fell blindly into a rage as black as death once the High King announced these intentions. Agamemnon didn’t care, however, even though Briseis had been given as a gift to Achilles. He simple had more power and wante d her back- like how children believe they always deserve what they want merely because they wishRead MoreFree Will : Ancient Literature1536 Words   |  7 Pagesgods. The similarities of Achilles, Odysseus, and Aeneas are that all three men were able to freely think and make decisions. During the B.C era many people were slaves; therefore possessing the ability to make decisions was atypical and not the norm. So for these characters to be in control of their choices and thus their destiny gave many people the inspiration that they needed. Free will and fate is an overriding theme in Homer’s and Virgil’s stories. Although Achilles, Odysseus, and AeneasRead MoreComparing The Underworld Of Homer And Virgil1744 Words   |  7 Pagesare not the only things that are similar about the heroes visits. The influence of the Homeric writings of the Iliad and the Odyssey on Virgil’s writings is clear - especially in Book VI of the Aeneid. Throughout this paper we will talk about the similarities that occur throughout the two poems, and how the two authors beliefs shine through. These beliefs are two very different views on the idea of death. Homer’s Iliad depicts death as something that is something souls do not enjoy. Whereas Virgil’sRead MoreEssay about Comparing the Underworlds in Dante’s Inferno and The Odyssey2108 Words   |  9 Pagesby the Greek, Homer. The epics centers on Odysseus’ protracted journey home. The protagonist, Odysseus, visits the underworld for a very short amount of time. The two literary works contain many common elements, such as characters being punished, the protagonists interacting with those in the underworld, repeating characters, and the misery of the underworlds. There are also differences between the two works including the types of interactions between the protagonists and those they encounterRead MoreIliad Paper On Achilles And Agamemnon1182 Words   |  5 PagesIliad paper Achilles and Agamemnon are different and similar at the same time in The Iliad. The Iliad is an epic poem which was written by Homer that talks about the Trojan War between Greek and its allies and the Trojans as the result of Trojan prince Paris seduces the Spartan queen Helen, the wife of Menelaus, who is the brother of Greek king Agamemnon, the war lasts continually for many years. The Iliad not only includes the description of warriors, women, and war, but also emphasize the interference