A Comparative Analysis of Odysseus and Achilles Essay

A Comparative Analysis of Odysseus and Achilles The Trojan War was more than a series of battles between opposing forces, it was the climax of an age of heroes. The retrieval of Helen brought together many of the mythological characters of that time onto a single stage. Of the thousands of brave men who fought at Ilion, two men stood above the masses, sharing the title of hero. They were born in the line of those on Mt. Olympus, favored by the gods. Excelling in courage and skill, adored by those who followed them into battle, the actions of Achilles and Odysseus achieved a high place in Greek mythology. Through analysis we see that Odysseus and Achilles were close variations upon the same theme. The similarities between Odysseus and†¦show more content†¦Both fathers would have been expected to raise their sons to be wise in the ways of war, and to show all the characteristics of a great Greek military leader. We also see that the mothers of both men are very concerned for them, possibly more than expected. Thetis tries t o hide Achilles when he is being recruited by the Acheans, and also goes to Hephaestus to have him a new suit of armor made. Anticlea, the mother of Odysseus, literally worries herself to death when her son does not return home from the war. Odysseus and Achilles also feature a common relationship with their sons. In the afterlife, Odysseus questions his mother of the fates of his son and father (Odyssey 11.173). Only a few lines later Achilles asks the same question of Odysseus (Odyssey 11.515-517). Presumed dead, Odysseus appears to lack the kleos that would be passed on to Telemachus, a force that might empower him to take control of the House of Odysseus. Neoptolemus, on the other hand, is fully aware of the fame his father achieved and with this knowledge he joins the battle at Troy. Another twist in the father-son relationship exists in the armaments of Odysseus and Achilles. Achilles uses a spear given to him by father which no other man had the skill to wield. Odysseus had a bow that no other man could string, save only his son. Strength, along with appearance, is clearly a trait of bothShow MoreRelatedComparative Analysis of the Aeneid, Odyssey, and Iliad Essay962 Words   |  4 PagesComparative Analysis of the Aeneid, Odyssey, and Iliad The Iliad and the Odyssey are two of the best Greek epics written by Homer. Despite their popularity, almost nothing is known about the author beyond the existence of his masterpieces. Surprisingly enough no concrete evidence of his existence is available; not even to confirm the same person created the two works. The authorship of the Iliad and the Odyssey were debated even in the times of the ancient Greeks. Many scholars have arguedRead MoreHbr When Your Core Business Is Dying74686 Words   |  299 Pagesstreamlining those processes, upgrading document technologies and finding better ways for people and their resources to work together. For example, our document assessments examine workflow and technology compatibility across your enterprise. Once our analysis is done, we offer a comprehensive range of document services and outsourcing to optimize your assets and improve business performance. Our methods have helped Owens Corning, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and others realize millions. For a complete