People look up to heroes, and those heroes become role models. Although many individuals hold myriad definitions with varying spectrums for traits that constitute a hero most, if not all, will fall within the polar extremes of the Greek figure-heads Achilles, the most formidable Greek warrior, and Odysseus, Greeces top strategist during the Trojan War. While Achilles character is mostly consistent in his rage, pride and near divinity, Odysseus character remains more dynamic and mysterious. Through the highly revered poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, Homer provides an in depth perspective on both characters who encompass human nature that have come to be so highly regarded and idealized by the Greek culture.
Both individuals expose a different type of characteristicphysical and spiritual. The physical characteristic allows the hero to perform courageous acts in battle, and the spiritual is when the hero transcends surface level understanding and approaches obstacles from different perspectives. Achilles appears more as a demi-god rather than a human hero. For instance, once being dipped in magical water, by his nymph mother, he becomes strong, swift and godlike and is given the gift of invulnerability (Iliad I, 129). delineates the physical aspect. However, Odysseus is a complete human figure who, unlike Achilles, is born from mortal figures and relies solely on his cleverness and cunning than his physical ability. Odysseus is a man of twists and turns who battles against an unfair, harsh world (The Odyssey I, 1). Because Achilles inherits fantastic powers, the mortal, Odysseus, makes up in his weakness with his wily unfairness and slyness.
Furthermore, although Achilles is godlike and appears immortal, his acts seem childish and, even during moments of his greatest victories, while Odysseus is able to remain calm and composed. One of Achilles childlike examples occurs when Agamemnon and Achilles enter a quarrel. Instead of acting calm, Achilles doesnt want to control his temper and would rather draw the sharp sword that hung by his side (Iliad I, 200-202). However, with divine from the Goddess Athena, Achilles represses his ragemomentarily. Instead of forgiving Agamemnon, Achilles, in tears, with[draws] from his friends [and] prays to his beloved mother [through his] voice, chok[ing] with tears (Iliad I, 371-362). Like a young boy, Achilles, chocking with tears, longs for his mother to comfort him and offer a solution. Achilles inability to handle the matter and issue himself shows his lack of maturity. On the other hand, instead of immediately lashing out against his opponents, Odysseus is an individual who endured all (Iliad IX, 701). Odysseus acts as a yes-man to Agamemnon which shows his multi-perspective understanding of situations. He realizes that he can hold influence over Agamemnon if he can win truest and favoritism.
Although Odyssues intelligence is unrivaled by ay of his counterparts, he does, like Achilles, suffer from a weakness and is not flawless. Odysseus faces a character flaw while fleeing from the Cyclops, an unintelligent yet physically powerful brute, who threatens to eat him. While Odysseus does manage to outsmart Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant without administering physical, his pride bests him when he taunts the cyclops and eventually tells the cyclops his true identity (Odyssey IX, 548). Polyphemus then calls upon his father, Poseidon, the God of earthquakes, spring and physical power to see that Odysseus never reaches home (Odyssey IX, 590). Polyphemus wish is more or less fulfilled by Poseidon and Odysseus suffers for his flaw. Ironically, Achilles, though god-like and virtually, meets his doom through a physical flaw, while Odysseus, intelligent, wise and cunning, encounters his harmartia through his intellectual pride of overcoming physical force with intelligence. Both characters exhibit hubris through their strengths.
Playing on their strengths and weaknesses, the situation that Achilles and Odysseus find themselves in, contribute to their personal desires. Achilles and Polyphemus ask the Gods to help them in similar fashions. Achilles makes a plea to his mother, Thetis, a sea nymph, to ask Zeus to comfort him by fulfilling his desire of revenge upon an individual. Likewise, Cyclops, the strong giant, pleas to his father to fulfill his desires. Achilles asks Thetis, who, in turn asks Zeus by stating if I have ever helped you (Iliad I, 533). Likewise, Polyphemus asks his father by stating If I really am your son (Odyssey X, 587). It appears that both Achilles and Cyclops must prove themselves worthy in order to receive an answer to their please. Moreover, Achilles and Cyclops are the two most significant physical brutes in their respective stories, yet both experience emotional torments and call upon their parents for help in seeking revenge. Moreover, Odysseus becomes the object of hate by Polyphemus, whereas Achilles is the enraged individual, similar to Polyphemus. A pattern is thus formed since both of the most physically significant characters, Polyphemus and Achilles, experience torment and call for revenge, yet the author seems to suggest that those who are in power of a mission or voyage, like Agamemnon, an officer of his army, and Odysseus, who is in charge of his crewmen, become object of the physically strong characters opposition and thus must face divine opposition from them.
Lastly, Achilles desires personal gain and glorykleos, while Odysseus desires to return homenostos. Although Achilles has two fates he chooses to stay and fight so that his glory will be undying forever (The Iliad IX, 424-426). Achilles is driven to acquire godlike status. His futile efforts to achieve his goal are compromised by allowing his name to be remembered honorably. Odysseus, however, does not desire glory or immortality. Although he encounters a beautiful goddess who offers herself and eternal life, he refuses it. It appears that characters who do not desire immortality and honor can receive it, and those who do desire it, are given obstacles, just as Achilles must fight for his immortality. Ironically, Odysseus realizes that by immortality, he cannot die, which entraps himlike death, yet Achilles must die in order to win his eternal place in history. Odysseus strives to get home, yet instead is given the option of immortality while Achilles can freely leave the war camps, but must die to achieve his ultimate goal of immortality. Both characters share opposing dreams and goals, yet can freely achieve their counterparts desires.
The author seems to suggest that individuals can share opposing dynamics when trying to achieve their goals, however, it is the competent figure that wins in the end, over the powerful figure. Moreover, the heroes, presented in the, all desired aspects that they did not have. In general, these stories may remind humans of their flaws and their constant pursuit of fulfilling their desires..
Works Cited
Homer. The Iliad. Trans. Stanley Lombardo. The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. Ed. Sarah Lawall. New York: Norton, 2006. 100-186.
Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. Ed. Sarah Lawall. New York: Norton, 2006. 206-483.
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