odysseus and achilles - 1072 Words

Aaron K. Gillespie Plotnik ENG 220 Essay 1 Recipe For Remembrance 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, methodology in combat and, endured hardships. Through the combination of their trials, experiences, and personal attributes, we will not only be able to identify them thoroughly†¦show more content†¦Finally Odysseus makes his men evacuate, and they make it to the land of the Cyclopes. Once they’re on the mainland they search for food, and explore. Soon they come across an empty cave that is full food, and animals. His men try to make haste, but due to Odysseus’s taking too long, Polyphemus the Cyclopes, son of Poseidon appears. At first the one-eyed giant appears to be hospitable, and offers food and tells them to relax. Then he becomes hostile, and adds to the tragedy of Odysseus crew by killing two of Odysseus’ men, and imprisons Odysseus along with the rest. Odysseus wants to kill Polyphemus right then, but he knows that only Polyphemus is strong enough to move the rock that he has placed across the door of his cave. Odysseus then decides to devise and execute a plan. The next day, Odysseus gets him drunk on wine that he brought along from the ship. Feeling under the influence, Polyphemus asks Odysseus his name; Odysseus replies that his name is â€Å"Nobody†, As soon as Polyphemus collapses with intoxication, Odysseus and a select group of his men drive the red-hot staff into his eye. Polyphemus wakes with a shriek, and his neighbors come to see what is wrong, but they leave as soon as he calls out, â€Å"Nobody’s killing me† (Via class discussion). Through the combination of their trials, experiences, and personal attributes, we can not only identify these hero’s thoroughly as men worthy of remembrance, but weShow MoreRelatedSimilarities Between Achilles And Odysseus1110 Words   |  5 PagesHeroics (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 remainRead 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 MoreAchilles Vs Odysseus Research Paper1216 Words   |  5 PagesAchilles Vs. Odysseus Achilles is the son of Peleus, who is the king of Myrmidon. He was the fearless, striking, and a substantial warrior of the army of Agamemnon in the Trojan war. In Greek mythology, Achilles is notorious for having a preference between a long and peaceful life, or a quick life that will guide him to eternal glory. He states that, â€Å"There are no covenants between sheep and wolves, nor between you and me† (Achilles). Achilles had a desire for glory, when it came to the battlefieldRead MoreOdysseus Vs Achilles : Brain Or Body?866 Words   |  4 PagesOdysseus vs Achilles: Brain or Body? Throughout time, views and ideals change drastically—what was seen as crucial or even sacred in one generation can come to be disregarded or abandoned in the next. These shifts reflect what the people of that particular time period decided was important, as seen when comparing and contrasting Homer’s epics The Iliad and The Odyssey. In The Iliad, might is right, and physical strength—and sometimes even mindless brutality—is viewed as the most important and nobleRead More Achilles Vs Odysseus Essay example3811 Words   |  16 PagesAchilles Odysseus Homers two central heroes, Odysseus and Achilles, are in many ways differing manifestations of the same themes. While Achilles character is almost utterly consistent in his rage, pride, and near divinity, Odysseus character is difficult to pin down to a single moral; though perhaps more human than Achilles, he remains more difficult to understand. Nevertheless, both heroes are defined not by their appearances, nor by the impressions they leave upon the minds of those aroundRead MoreThe Everlasting Glory Of Gilgamesh, Achilles And Odysseus971 Words   |  4 PagesThese traits are often manifested in the text when when they intentionally throw themselves in the face of death to gain their glory and fame. Although death is a concern for Gilgamesh, Achilles and Odysseus, the three do not respond in exactly the same way. The everlasting glory of Gilgamesh, Achilles and Odysseus come from how they deal with mortality. Heroes accept the fact that without the risk of the death, there tends to be no glory. Gilgamesh accepts this fact, unbeknownst to him, only theoreticallyRead More Aeneid and Odyssey - A Comparison between Aeneas, Achilles and Odysseus1031 Words   |  5 PagesAeneid and Odyssey - A Comparison between Aeneas, Achilles and Odysseus      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A comparison between Virgils hero, Aeneas, and the Homeric heroes, Achilles and Odysseus, brings up the question concerning the relevance of the difference between the Homeric heroes and Aeneas. The differences in the poets concerns are explained by the fact that Virgil lived many years after Homer, giving Virgil the advantage of a more developed literary and philosophical society than Homer had at his disposalRead MoreHow Does Homer Use The Effectiveness Of Ajax s Speech1723 Words   |  7 Pagessimilarities 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 a well-reasonedRead MoreAchilles and Odyssey Compare and Contrast Essay1625 Words   |  7 PagesHeroes: Achilles and Odysseus What are the main characteristics of a larger-than-life epic hero? An epic hero is a brave and powerful warrior who is motivated to fight both internal and external conflicts to achieve glory and ranks above a normal man. In Homer’s epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey, Achilles and Odysseus are the well-known heroes. Achilles fights Hektor outside the walls of Troy because Hektor killed his best friend, Patroclus. After fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus takesRead MoreOdysseuss Appearance in The Odyssey and the Iliad1416 Words   |  6 Pagesshow up in. I am going to argue that Odysseus is a smart, versatile, and cunning character that shows a different type of masculinity than is portrayed by other characters. The first text that gives Odysseus a major role is the Iliad. When Agamemnon suggests to his men that they sail home they do not hesitate in agreeing and stream out to their ships. Odysseus steps in, restrains them and brings them back to the assembly (Homer, Iliad 2.55-225). Odysseus can be seen here as a keeper of peace