Odysseus Vs Achilles Brain Or Body - 866 Words

Odysseus vs Achilles: Brain or Body? Throughout time, views and ideals change drastically—what was seen as crucial or even sacred in one generation can come to be disregarded or abandoned in the next. These shifts reflect what the people of that particular time period decided was important, as seen when comparing and contrasting Homer’s epics The Iliad and The Odyssey. In The Iliad, might is right, and physical strength—and sometimes even mindless brutality—is viewed as the most important and noble trait a person can possess. In The Odyssey, however, cunning, wits, and contemplation become what the people value most. Odysseus’s ability to think rationally and use a well thought-out plan to escape trouble elevates him to a mythic and almost godlike stature. However, this ability for deep thought can also cause him to overthink, especially in regards to his own abilities and sense of pride. While Odysseus’s cunning makes him closer to the gods, his prideful need for recognit ion and revenge keeps him flawed and human, holds him back from achieving his full potential, and greatly prolongs his journey home. When Odysseus and his men land on the island of the One-Eyed Giants, they find themselves in a situation that muscles and weaponry alone cannot get them out of. After Odysseus’s plea for xenia goes unhonored and he watches his fellow men get swallowed one by one, he realizes that he has â€Å"come up against / some giant clad in power like armor-plate— / a savage deaf toShow MoreRelatedEssay on Jason vs Odysseus937 Words   |  4 PagesArtful VS Artless Both famous heroes from antiquity, Jason and Odysseus have much in common and just as much not. It has been said that The Voyage of the Argo, written centuries past The Odyssey, is an imitation or some form of plagiarism of the primary epic poem of ancient Greece. I like the other train of thought; it is more an acknowledgement or tip of the hat, so to speak, specifically to The Odyssey. Both tales center on a hero and a fantastic voyage. Jason was less the virtuous demi-God weRead MoreNores vs. Greek Essay5576 Words   |  23 PagesNores vs. Greek Greek mythology and Roman mythology are almost identical. This is an accepted fact, as it is widely known that the Romans stole the Greek myths. However, it is very interesting to note that the mythology of the Vikings (Norse) has many similarities with the Greek myths. These myths are, by no means, identical to the Greek ones (like the Roman ones are), but there are very distinct commonalities between the two. I see two possible reasons for this besides pure coincidence.