Hercules And Odysseus Comparison

     Is Odysseus, the main character of Homer’s The Odyssey, really an epic hero? An epic hero embodies several heroic traits such as; having superior or super-human strength; being intellectual and courageous; and being a strong and responsible leader. An epic hero struggles and is overwhelmed with difficulties. An epic hero is on a quest of self discovery, war or some sort of goal. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is on a quest to return home to Ithaca after ten years of war in Troy. Odysseus, during his quest, is forced to venture through a merciless Cyclops, angered Gods, deeply obstinate Goddesses, the underworld, and determined suitors that are after his wife Penelope. Odysseus surmounts

There has been many discussions on the differences between Hercules and Heraclês. Disney likes to change stories to make them more child friendly. This creates differences between the original stories and the Disney take on the tales. In the case of the movie of Hercules and the story of Heraclês the main differences, that I will be focusing on is family value, true love, and comic relief.

The trait of heroism is something that has changed over thousands of years. Today’s heros have different traits than those heroes of the Trojan War. However, a few have survived the test of time. Many of modern day heroes, as well as past heroes, do hold these long enduring traits, like Nelson Mandela, Marcus Luttrell, Louis Zamperini, and the fictional Iron Man. Odysseus, the main character in The Odyssey by Homer, portrays the traits necessary to be dubbed a hero. One is a hero if he or she shows leadership, bravery, resilience, and creativity throughout their actions.

A true epic hero has many very defining characteristics. Usually you will find this hero to be the ‘alpha male. ' With an almost super hero personality, epic heroes are extremely above an average human being. This character must be of noble birth, and as a result, this gives them great respect and many resources. There is a deep reverence for the gods and this helps the hero through tough times. An epic hero is bravery than the other characters. They are willing to take bigger risks and reap greater rewards. Despite these strong traits, there is usually an element of deep suffering that the character must deal with through out his story. No matter what, however, the epic hero will always win out in the end in a good vs. evil type of

In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus tests his servants, family, and the suitors, and in the Book of Genesis God tests Abraham. Odysseus returns home alone and unrecognized to find his home in disarray, unsure of who and who cannot be trusted. In the Book of Genesis, Abraham is tested to assure he is loyal to, and trusts, the Lord. Odysseus tests the loyalty of his servants and family members, as well as the suitors, likewise, Abraham’s faith is assessed by God as he commands Abraham to sacrifice his son. The similarities between Odysseus and God, and their assessment of others, draw further on the concept of crossing the boundary between humans and the divine; both Odysseus and God use testing as a form of bringing justice to a world that lives without a justice system.

The stories of heroes have been at the axis of nearly all cultures throughout history. Each different type of religion or culture has their own heroes or legends, each one of them having their differences to go along with the beliefs at hand. On the other hand, each and every hero also has their similarities, which therefore makes them the hero. The setting, events, and characters in each and every story may change, but the characteristics of the hero remain basically the same. Each person is usually made into a hero in a somewhat similar fashion. For example, many heroes begin as imperfect characters, and then begin some sort of quest which leads to them becoming a leader of what they are doing, and then the character goes through a

A Homeric epic hero is taken into account to be senior to a standard individual. The traits of a typical epic hero are strength, loyalty, courage, and intelligence. In fact, the Macmillan lexicon for students defines a hero as "one who is loved and researched to for valorousness, achievements, and noble qualities" (483). odysseus fulfills all the necessities for an epic hero and more. He demonstrates his ability to be an articulate speaker, and his poise aids him on his journey. His endless curiosity has gotten him into dilemmas, whereas his excellent displays of strength and cunnings have helped both him and his crew escape danger. His conceitedness sets him back, however, his loyalty is what drives him forward on his long and treacherous expedition. within the initial few lines of The Odyssey, Odysseus describes himself as "formidable for guile in peace and war". He knows that he's a formidable opponent, and there are instances where his guile has caused both harmony and violence. regardless of what challenge Odysseus faces, he invariably clearly demonstrates the characteristics of an epic hero.

“A good man can be stupid and still be good. But a bad man must have brains” (Gorkey). The debate of Brain versus Brawn has been around for as long as human beings have had the capacity to debate. It is a recurring trope in books, movies, television, and plays. The true origins of the question may never be known for certain, but that does not mean that they are not highlighted in some one the oldest and most influential pieces of literature in western society. The Homeric texts of The Iliad and The Odyssey portray their respective epic heroes, one decidedly brawn and one decidedly brains, in many both similar and dissimilar ways.

Nostos in its most simple form, means a heroes homecoming. It is a common theme used in ancient Greek literary works. Homecoming is a great deal to heroes in the ancient epics, as it is the final step to claiming their kleos (glory). Homer uses this as his main theme in his epic poem the Odyssey, as it shows the main character Odysseus yearning to return home to Ithaca after twenty years of being away. The poem portrays Odysseus’ journey home, however, during his journey he is constantly driven off course. After ten years, with the help of his main protector, the goddess Athena, Odysseus finally makes it back home to Ithaca where he reclaims his identity. Later in 19BC, Vergil who was a roman poet, uses nostos as one of the themes in his epic poem the Aeneid. The poem portrays the main character Aeneas as a dutiful hero, who has to flee his home, Troy, and is destined to found Rome (Verg. Aen.1.1). Odysseus’ and Aeneas’ nostos are both similar in the sense that they encounter some of the same sights, they leave behind woman in order to continue on with their journey and they deal with supernatural forces. On the contrary, the two heroes are completely different in their motivation. Aeneas’ reason for his journey is due to his destiny and duty to establish home for his people. Odysseus, on the other hand has different reasons as to why he longs to return home. Firstly, he wishes to return to his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. Secondly, he tries to attain his

Sometimes it only takes a few seemingly small flaws to determine if one will live a lifetime of adversity, and this appears to be the case for both Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey and Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Unlike what their grand titles may suggest, these ‘ancient heroes’ were by no means perfect people, and, if anything, it would be more realistic to attribute the concept of imperfection with them instead. However, that is not suggesting that heroism equates to imperfection, but rather that these heroes have earned their titles from their battles with their imperfections.

This myth is about Odysseus and the giant cyclops Polyphemus. After the Island of the lotus eater he saw a land full of lambs and his crew and he were tired and hungry. So when they entered the cave they saw a table set full with a great meal on the table so they started feasting. Then the Cyclops came home and was furious and eat 2 men. When the giant was asleep the men took a 6ft spike and heated the tip and drove it through the giant's eye. Next day when the sheep were to be let out the blind giant stood over the exit but the men on the crew were prepared the hid under the lambs bellys and snuck out. When they made it back on the ship Odysseus called out “O Cyclops! Would you feast on my companions? And the giant blind cyclops thew a huge

Both Odysseus and Oedipus portrayed hubris, however, their intentions while doing so and the outcomes of their actions were very different. When displaying selfish pride, Odysseus wanted glory credit for his achievements. For instance, when the epic hero and his men were escaping the cyclops’ island, Odysseus cried out,“Cyclops- if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so- say Odysseus. . .” (Homer 227) The use of the phrase “any man on the face of the earth” exhibits how Odysseus wanted everyone to know what he accomplished, regardless of the consequences. Later in the story, after Polyphemus learned his name, he called upon his father, Poseidon, to ensure that his journey would be long and difficult.

Three traits that Odysseus and Telemakhos share are clear-headedness, eloquence, and showing strong emotion. They are portrayed with these traits in the Odyssey, composed by Homer. Odysseus is a renowned military strategist, warrior, and the King of Ithaca. He was forced to go to war against Troy twenty years ago, and since then has traveled all over the Aegean trying to find a way back home. Meanwhile, his son, Telemakhos, has developed into a full-grown man from the mere infant he was when his father left for war. He has searched far and wide for news of his father, still hoping, along with his mother, Penelope, that Odysseus is still alive somewhere and somehow, even though most have assumed he is dead. Through his ventures, Telemakhos

Achilles, the warrior who has slain thousands of men in head to head combat; or Odysseus, a man who has slain thousands of has slain hundreds of men without them realizing. Today, copious amounts of professors will debate on which character is more influential and which is more relatable. To be “Achillian” would be one who is honest, direct to the point, and is very impulsive. On the other hand, to be “Odyssian” would be one who is deceptive, cunning, and uses a more methodical approach. Both of these epic heroes are revered in history, but is one greater than the other? How can two men be so different, and yet, so similar? In both of Homer’s works the Iliad and the Odyssey, Achilles and Odysseus shoe the traits our culture views as being heroic, yet they manage to do in in tremendously different ways.

Why do people like Greek Mythology? People like Greek Mythology because of the adventures, romance and action of Greek gods. Gods and Goddesses like Aeolus, monsters like Charybdis and Tiresias. All of these Charters important to Greek mythology because they have stories that has endured for thousands for years and have important religious ideas.