Odysseus in the Iliad and The Odyssey - Essay Example

Odysseus in the Iliad and The Odyssey Table of contents Introduction. 2. The main points of comparison of Odysseus in The Odyssey and in The Iliad. 3. Conclusion. 1. The Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer are the most brilliant examples of Ancient Greek epos. Greek literature contributed very much to the world literature, and historical and literature heritage have influenced the development of ancient literature tradition in general. The poems are written in fascinating poetic language of Homer, and they became the source of inspiration of many other ancient authors. The poems are also a good source of historical knowledge about the period described as there are not so much artifacts of that epoch were found. The main common themes of The Iliad and The Odyssey are life and death, destiny and the main heroes' ability to resist destiny and gods' will and achieve their own goals in spite of numerous obstacles. Odysseus is one of the main characters of The Iliad and the main hero of The Odyssey. Odysseus character, purposes and manner of action in both poems are different although there are also many similarities. The paper will discuss that the main difference of Odysseus in The Iliad and The Odyssey is that in The Iliad he, as well as many other characters of the poem, depended very much on gods' will and gods' actions, while in The Odyssey he mostly acted independently from the heaven forces. Other significant difference of Odysseus in the poems: in The Iliad he had no need to change and develop his character, he had another purposes, while in The Odyssey he had to act by himself, without any essential help of gods, he had a purpose to get home and to save his crew - his character changed, and his manner of acting was different than that in The Iliad. This paper will discuss these points of comparison between The Iliad and The Odyssey. In addition to that, appropriate examples from the poems will be given to develop the essay. 2. As was indicated above, in The Iliad Odysseus and many other important characters of the poem expected protection and help of such gods as Zeus, Aphrodite, Aiolos and Helios: "Then Odysseus, destroyer of cities, rose up, grasping the sceptre.At his side, bright-eyed Athena, looking like a herald,silenced troops, so Achaeans close by and far awaycould hear him and follow to his advice" (The Iliad, book 2, 330). In The Odyssey he, unlike his character in The Iliad, shows much more independence in his actions. In The Odyssey he had no support from Athena and Zeus, some gods prevented his way to Ithaca, and he suffered misfortunes while returning home, and these misfortunes strengthened his character: "Many cities did he visit, and many were the nations with whose manners and customs he was acquainted; moreover he suffered much by sea while trying to save his own life and bring his men safely home" (The Odyssey, book 1). All his adventures in The Odyssey prove that the most powerful gods didn't support Odysseus; and Poseidon, the sea god (Neptune in Latin), as Homer wrote, "persecuted him without ceasing and would not let him get home" (The Odyssey, book 1). In The Odyssey Odysseus has to develop his character as he and his crew went through numerous problems and obstacles while returning to Ithaca. Otherwise, in The Iliad his main purposes are to show his heroic and strategic ability that is reflected in different scenes, such as in scene where Odysseus presents Agamemnon's offers to Achilles (The Iliad, book 9, 230). Odysseus didn't insist as he understood that the confrontation with Achilles can lead the fail of the mission and turn Achilles to a stronger position against Odysseus. Such Odysseus' character features as cunning and diplomacy also helped him to achieve his goals. In The Iliad Odysseus' cunning and diplomatic character is better shown. For example, after the death of Patroklos he refused to rush into the battle until his soldiers eat: "Though you're a brave man, god-like Achilles, don't encourage Achaea's sons to fight against the Trojans on empty stomachs. If so, the fight won't last for long if troops engage right now, once some god infuses strength into both sides.No. (The Iliad, book 19, 160). But Odysseus' cunning nature is also reflected in The Odyssey, for example, when he thought a plan to escape from Cyclopes1. His fearless and heroism is also played role in his actions in The Iliad and The Odyssey. In both poems the heroic and fearless character of Odysseus is clearly shown, but in The Iliad he fought mainly against people while in The Odyssey he had numerous confrontations against mythological beings, such as Cyclopes and Sirens; but mostly he acted with cunning and ingenuity. These features of Odysseus are also reflected in The Iliad but not so characteristically as in The Odyssey. One of the most eloquent examples of Odysseus' ingenuity can be seen in The Iliad in the scenes with Trojan horse. It was Odysseus who thought up this plan. Odysseus' intelligence is also presented in both poems. In The Iliad there are some significant moments concerning Odysseus' intelligence. For example, when he was sent as a captain to return Chryseis (The Iliad, book 1); when Agamemnon's embassy to make Achilles rejoin the battle was successful thanks to Odysseus' intelligence (The Iliad, book 9); his intelligence is also presented in his and Diomedes' actions in Trojan camp at night (The Iliad, book 10). As was shown in these moments, Odysseus is always thinking and analyzing the situation, and his intelligence helps him to achieve his purposes. In The Odyssey he also displays his intelligence ability, but it was directed mainly to outwit such characters as Cyclopes (The Odyssey, book 9), Scylla and Charybdis (The Odyssey, book 12), the Sirens (The Odyssey, book 12). So, Odysseus' intelligence is better displayed in The Iliad. Odysseus' fighting ability, as was indicated above, is clearly shown both in The Iliad and The Odyssey. In The Iliad it was first mentioned in books 4 and 5: "Enraged at Leucus' slaughter, Odysseus strode up, through the front ranks, armed in gleaming bronze. Going in close, he took his stand. Looking round, he hurled his glittering spear.As he threw, Trojans moved back, but the spear found a mark" (The Iliad, book 4, 570). In The Odyssey his fighting ability is also reflected in some episodes, such as his fight with Polyphemus and Sirens, but fighting scenes are more widely presented in The Iliad. The theme of love is also reflected in both poems. But in The Iliad Odysseus' actions were not directed by love, he had other aspiration, aspiration to win in the battles and show his heroism and will to victory. Otherwise, in The Odyssey the aim of his adventures was his love for Penelope, his son and his home. Odysseus always remembered about Penelope and the son, and it gave him confidence and will to return home. Odyssey was an object of love for such heroes as Calypso (The Odyssey, book 5) and Circle (The Odyssey, book 10), but in spite of these facts name his love for Penelope and the son became the driving force for Odysseus in his adventures and return home. 3. The paper discussed that there are some significant points of comparison of The Iliad and The Odyssey. As was shown above, the will and actions of gods influenced Odysseus' behaviour are displayed better in The Iliad, while in The Odyssey the independent character of the main hero of the poem is reflected more clear. In addition to that, Odysseus' character transformation is more visible in The Odyssey. In The Iliad he fought mainly against people while in The Odyssey he had numerous confrontations against mythological beings. And namely in The Odyssey his love for Penelope and his son was the main source of his aspiration and glory. Sources The Iliad. Homer. A new translation by Ian Johnston Malaspina, University-College, Nanaimo, BC, Canada. (http://www.mala.bc.ca/johnstoi/homer/iliad_title.htm) The Odyssey. Homer. Translated by Samuel Butler. (http://www.uoregon.edu/joelja/odyssey.html) Read More