What qualities does a hero have? Strength, wit, and perhaps a little bit of hubris. Odysseus and Harry Potter display these three attributes as they embark on their amazing journeys through thick and thin. One of the most prominent qualities Harry and Odysseus display in their journeys is strength, a quality which every hero possesses. In The Odyssey, written in 800 BC by the poet Homer, Odysseus ventures on a journey to get back to his homeland, Ithaca. Along the way, he travels to the Underworld, where he encounters his newly dead mother, Anticlea. Despite his grief, Odysseus is able to hold her off “through a pang of tears”. The Goblet of Fire, written by J.K Rowling, describes the journey of Harry Potter as he struggles to survive the challenges presented to him by the Triwizard Tournament. In one of the challenges Harry faces, he is forced to choose between saving the life of his best
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When Odysseus and his men come to a land bearing Cyclopes, they encounter Polyphemus, a Cyclops who proves to be a threat to the band of men. It is through his craft (plus the help of his men) that Odysseus is able to conquer Polyphemus. First, he crafts a stake out of supplies in the cave he and his men are trapped in. He then gives Polyphemus a drink of wine in order to knock him out. While he is unconscious, Odysseus’ men help him drive the stake into tsis described “as when a smith dips a great ax or adz in water to temper it, and loud it hisses”. After subduing the Cyclops, Odysseus ties each of his men under three sheep at a time and himself under a ram in order to escape the cave. Similarly, Harry uses his resources to his advantage. Facing a dragon as one of his challenges, Harry summons his broom in order to drive the dragon away from his prize. Professor Mad Eye Moody helps Harry think of this by telling him “use a nice, simple spell that will enable you to get what you need.” (Rowling
When Odysseus and his men come to a land bearing Cyclopes, they encounter Polyphemus, a Cyclops who proves to be a threat to the band of men. It is through his craft (plus the help of his men) that Odysseus is able to conquer Polyphemus. First, he crafts a stake out of supplies in the cave he and his men are trapped in. He then gives Polyphemus a drink of wine in order to knock him out. While he is unconscious, Odysseus’ men help him drive the stake into tsis described “as when a smith dips a great ax or adz in water to temper it, and loud it hisses”. After subduing the Cyclops, Odysseus ties each of his men under three sheep at a time and himself under a ram in order to escape the cave. Similarly, Harry uses his resources to his advantage. Facing a dragon as one of his challenges, Harry summons his broom in order to drive the dragon away from his prize. Professor Mad Eye Moody helps Harry think of this by telling him “use a nice, simple spell that will enable you to get what you need.” (Rowling