Herakles And Odysseus Research Paper

The artistic iconography revolves around the traditions of a hero. Heroic characters unlike their non-hero counterparts are recognizable, they hold a specific characterization that symbolize their own unique stories. Acquired trophies or distinct physical features makes the hero’s appearance. In art heroes usually have a more distinct masculine physique and carry weapons or wear clothes that intertwine with their story. Their appearance has a great effect on how these heroes are interpreted. Both Herakles and Odysseus’ artistic iconography intertwines with their stories. Physical features in this time play a role of who the hero is. Herakles’ artistic iconography is known to possess a very masculine body to emphasize his masculinity. The frame that he has emphasizes how much more powerful he is than non-heroic characters. The majority of the artwork also shows him in the middle of some sort of action, which gives the impression that he is always on an adventure. He is also given facial hair to show his maturity as a hero. Although Herakles appears to be in his prime all the time, the beard symbolizes that he is not young which shows that he is more of a man. Although the beard holds maturity and …show more content…
Odysseus is described in the writing that he is smaller than the stereotypical hero persona, however in the artwork, he doesn’t look any shorter than anyone else he stands next to. The artwork also gives description to indescribable entities as well. The sirens are described in a vague way, but through the artwork we come up with this new persona for them. Through art people have been influenced to see sirens as birdlike creatures with human heads or even mermaids that will sing you a song to your demise. The literature side however describes them as beings that will tell you vast information that they know, which would drive you