Throughout the history of literature, there have been many different examples of the characteristics present in a heros. Such works of literature come from great ancient societies such as the Greeks and the Romans. “Ancient Greek society placed considerable emphasis on literature and, according to many, the whole Western literary tradition began there, with the epic poems of Homer.”(Mastin) Examples of these include Homer’s, The Iliad and The Odyssey, as well as Virgil’s The Aeneid. The heroes in these three great poems all have very different personalities which help define them as the characters they play in their respective roles in their respective stories. Homer’s heroes include two extremely different characters in Achilles and Odysseus.
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It is clear early on that Odysseus is respected due to his skill as a tactician as well as being a great warrior. This is clear through quotes from various characters defining Odysseus as a man of tactics, “Royal son of Laertes – Odysseus, man of tactics...”(The Odyssey Book 11 pg 264 line 536). However, Achilles seems to acquire his respect through fear and force. “Achilles has gained the respect of the Greeks based solely on the idea that they fear what he can do in battle”(Taylor). Through this quote, it is clear that the two great heroes gained their respect in very different ways. Clearly, although Achilles and Odysseus are very similar in some ways, they also vary quite dramatically in other traits.
Achilles and Odysseus share many traits, however, they also differ in a vast number of ways in Homer’s epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, one of which is how they lead. Odysseus leads in a way that uses logic. He is often referred to in both Homer’s, The Iliad and The Odyssey as, “...the great tactician.” Achilles, however, is often referred to as a man who focuses solely on the use of brute force. As explained by Dr. Tim McGee, “Achilles is more like, ‘You jack me? No, I jack you!’” Through this, it is clear to see that the two epic heroes vary in the ways in which they lead their
It is clear early on that Odysseus is respected due to his skill as a tactician as well as being a great warrior. This is clear through quotes from various characters defining Odysseus as a man of tactics, “Royal son of Laertes – Odysseus, man of tactics...”(The Odyssey Book 11 pg 264 line 536). However, Achilles seems to acquire his respect through fear and force. “Achilles has gained the respect of the Greeks based solely on the idea that they fear what he can do in battle”(Taylor). Through this quote, it is clear that the two great heroes gained their respect in very different ways. Clearly, although Achilles and Odysseus are very similar in some ways, they also vary quite dramatically in other traits.
Achilles and Odysseus share many traits, however, they also differ in a vast number of ways in Homer’s epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, one of which is how they lead. Odysseus leads in a way that uses logic. He is often referred to in both Homer’s, The Iliad and The Odyssey as, “...the great tactician.” Achilles, however, is often referred to as a man who focuses solely on the use of brute force. As explained by Dr. Tim McGee, “Achilles is more like, ‘You jack me? No, I jack you!’” Through this, it is clear to see that the two epic heroes vary in the ways in which they lead their