Introduction to the Iliad, the Odyssey and the Aeneid
It is suggested that the Iliad and the Odyssey were composed as an oral composition perhaps in the late eighth century BC (Kirk 1) whereas the Aeneid, a literary composition, was perhaps composed in the last half of the first century BC (Quinn 2). Despite the many centuries between them, the epics are built around the story of the Trojan War fought around 1200 BC. The Iliad focuses on a short period in the penultimate year of the war whereas the Aeneid accounts the journey of Aeneas after the destruction of Troy to settle in the new land of Hesperia and the Odyssey captures the journey of Odysseus’s homecoming ten years after the end of the ten-year Trojan War. Homer influenced many writers in the ancient Greek and Roman culture, particularly Vergil. The Aeneid is frequently said to be "based on several Homeric motifs" due to demonstrated Homeric influence in characters, mythology, and ideals (Boardman, Griffin and Murray 219). This paper will attempt to explore the heroic characteristics portrayed by Homer in his epics the Iliad and the …show more content…
Their worlds are also filled with the magical and supernatural machinations of the gods who determine the fate and destiny of the heroes. In facing a series of test in the setting of gigantic conflict, the heroes each achieve personal glory. Although Achilles and Odysseus were Greek while Aeneas was a Trojan, there are many ways in which the two cultural intertwines. The situations in which both Achilles and Aeneas find themselves and as a result, their characteristic are very similar. For instance, due to the Trojan War, both Achilles and Aeneas become famed warriors. Additionally, the heroes all have a predetermined life although they each had their separate destinies. In such ways, the heroes are similar to each
It is suggested that the Iliad and the Odyssey were composed as an oral composition perhaps in the late eighth century BC (Kirk 1) whereas the Aeneid, a literary composition, was perhaps composed in the last half of the first century BC (Quinn 2). Despite the many centuries between them, the epics are built around the story of the Trojan War fought around 1200 BC. The Iliad focuses on a short period in the penultimate year of the war whereas the Aeneid accounts the journey of Aeneas after the destruction of Troy to settle in the new land of Hesperia and the Odyssey captures the journey of Odysseus’s homecoming ten years after the end of the ten-year Trojan War. Homer influenced many writers in the ancient Greek and Roman culture, particularly Vergil. The Aeneid is frequently said to be "based on several Homeric motifs" due to demonstrated Homeric influence in characters, mythology, and ideals (Boardman, Griffin and Murray 219). This paper will attempt to explore the heroic characteristics portrayed by Homer in his epics the Iliad and the …show more content…
Their worlds are also filled with the magical and supernatural machinations of the gods who determine the fate and destiny of the heroes. In facing a series of test in the setting of gigantic conflict, the heroes each achieve personal glory. Although Achilles and Odysseus were Greek while Aeneas was a Trojan, there are many ways in which the two cultural intertwines. The situations in which both Achilles and Aeneas find themselves and as a result, their characteristic are very similar. For instance, due to the Trojan War, both Achilles and Aeneas become famed warriors. Additionally, the heroes all have a predetermined life although they each had their separate destinies. In such ways, the heroes are similar to each