What Are The Similarities Between Heracles And Odysseus

In comparison as heroes the major similarity between Heracles and Odysseus is the relationship they both have with the Gods and how this relationship shapes the events that occur within both hero’s life’s. In Heracles’s case Hera is the goddess who dislikes him and negatively affects his life but in Odysseus’s case the God who dislikes him is the God of the sea Poseidon. Zeus describes Poseidon’s hatred towards Odysseus in text the Odyssey when he states; “It is Poseidon, girdler of Earth who is so implacable towards him on account of the great Polyphemus, the cyclops whom Odysseus blinded. For Polyphemus is not only chief of his tribe but the son of the Nymph Thoose, daughter of Phorcys, Warden of the salt sea waves” (Homer,27). Zeus describes that Odysseus is only hated by the God of the sea Poseidon, Zeus also mentions the reasoning behind Poseidon’s hatred. …show more content…
Similar to Hera, Poseidon’s hatred leads him to create obstacles in Odysseus’s life, obstacles Odysseus has to overcome using his strengths as a hero. “The storm that had blown up from the west subsided soon enough but was quickly followed by more wind from the south to my great distress for this meant that I should have one more to run the gauntlet of the dread Charybdis” (Homer,200). On a voyage at sea Odysseus faces a dreadful storm caused by the will of Poseidon, “Charybdis” in Greek myth is described as a dreadful sea monster that demolishes anything within its path, it is obvious that Poseidon’s hatred has led him to commit his full efforts to murdering Odysseus. Similar to Heracles, Odysseus has gods who aim to murder them but in contrast both heroes also have gods within their favor that aid them