The Characters Of Jacob And Odysseus

Not only does Odysseus demonstrate a strong sense of courage in his journeys to prove that he is a hero, but he also shows never-ending perseverance through the countless adversities berating him. Although much of Odysseus’ journey is guided and assisted by various gods, especially in tough situations, what he does is ultimately of his doing and free will, as demonstrated by his tenacity when coming across many hardships. An example of this is later on in Odysseus’ story, as he and his men sail away from the Island of Aeaea to complete their journey home to Ithaca, they encounter many obstacles. The sea monsters Scylla and Charybdis terrorize and put Odysseus’ men and journey into peril, as his crew is struck with the terrifying might of the sea monsters.

A hero can be described as someone who goes through various obstacles and is able to overcome them. Both the Bible and The Odyssey depict heroism through two similar characters, David and Odysseus. In the Bible, David rises above all others through his heroic qualities and by ending the war between the Israelites and the Philistines with the aid of God. On a related note, in The Odyssey, heroism is demonstrated by Odysseus in the way that he conquers multiple enemies, also with the assistance of the gods. However, heroes are not always perfect and they often make mistakes throughout their journey. David and Odysseus are successful as heroes because of the positive and negative characteristics that they possess, as well as their firm relationship with the divine that ultimately assists them in overcoming their challenges. This demonstrates that individual efforts were not enough to be a hero in their community and the help of the divine was crucial.

Since long ago, people carried an image of what it means to be a hero. It is evident in some great books one might even say. As in The Epic of Gilgamesh, Antigone, and The Iliad, heroism is displayed and exalted, but what does being a hero mean? Overarchingly, in regards to these works, the heroes earn their titles as heroes by notably doing what is right when the time is right, with humane purpose, and an everlasting message. However, Gilgamesh, Antigone, and Akhilleus, being different in their purposes, everlasting messages, type of heroism as whole, can not compare in regards to heroic status.

They sent Hermes, the messenger god to convince Calypso to let Odysseus get back to his wife and son. His problems were not over yet once he left the island, however, because he had made Zeus an enemy. Zeus sent a terrible storm to rip apart Odysseus 's raft with the intentions that he be lost at sea forever. Gods saved him from this fate, though, when Ino and Athena give him a veil to keep him from drowning and changing the wind to make sure the waves carried Odysseus home. It was very important that Odysseus was so reverent towards the gods; otherwise he never would have made it home from the Trojan War.

The trait of heroism is something that has changed over thousands of years. Today’s heros have different traits than those heroes of the Trojan War. However, a few have survived the test of time. Many of modern day heroes, as well as past heroes, do hold these long enduring traits, like Nelson Mandela, Marcus Luttrell, Louis Zamperini, and the fictional Iron Man. Odysseus, the main character in The Odyssey by Homer, portrays the traits necessary to be dubbed a hero. One is a hero if he or she shows leadership, bravery, resilience, and creativity throughout their actions.

Myths consists of many legendary heroes within, but what makes them different from an ordinary person. Many convey that it is not very challenging to be a hero, but wise ones know the struggles of being a hero, which the texts “Theseus” and “The Adventure of Odysseus”, written in the book “Mythology” by Edith Hamilton proves. Heroes may require help from others, but more often than not, they are fearless fighters who do not need the aid of others to be successful. Heroes might easily gain credits for the work of their fellow allies, but that does not mean it is easy to be a hero. A true hero should not be afraid of pain or death just like the great legend Theseus. At the same time, these heroes must be like the extraordinary hero Odysseus, who is successful in his heroic journey.

The ancient hero Odysseus of the epic The Odyssey possesses numerous notable heroic traits, many of which have influenced the modern perspective of a hero in literature, real life, or otherwise. For instance, he demonstrates paragon amounts of loyalty throughout his return voyage to Ithaca, along with leadership, courage, and persistence. As Odysseus is primarily an archetype in addition to his heroic characteristics, his influences have endured the odyssey of time, and have become comparable in themselves to their prior forms present in the adventurous hero Odysseus. Although the modifications in the perceptions of Odysseus (or, generally, similar heroes of his time) and modern heroes do not differ in extremely significant or outstanding

“A hero is someone who has given him or her life to something bigger than oneself.” (Joseph Campbell) The Odyssey is an Epic about a greek “hero” named Odysseus. He’s escaping from the Trojan War and he’s trying to return to his family safely. During his journey he meets many complications and obstacles that stop him from returning home.

Christopher Reeve once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” The great epic, The Odyssey by Homer reveals the courageous, daring life of Odysseus, as he travels from his victory in Troy to his home in Ithaca. Throughout the journey, Odysseus reveals his heroic traits of intelligence, skill, and resourcefulness.

Odysseus is an excellent example of a hero who proves himself through his bravery, kindness, and strength. In The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus is the king of a Greek city named Ithaca. He is called upon to fight in the Trojan War along side of Menelaus to retrieve Helen, Menelaus wife. He has to leave his new born son, Telemachus, and his wife, Penelope, to follow the oath he took as king. He tries to act insane so he would not have to be sent away to war and leave his family. This does not work because after refusing to run over Telemachus he has no choice but to leave. The war in Troy last ten years, and after angering Poseidon, God of the Sea, he and his men face many more years and trials to get home. None of them know however that Odysseus will be the only one that will ever see the Shores of Ithaca again and even then there will be challenges facing him.

With hopes of returning home, Odysseus and his crew traveled to Hades to ask Teiresias for help. He said Odysseus would return to Ithaca and advised the crew not to harm the Sun’s oxen because it would bring terrible consequences. After passing to the island of the Sirens and Scylla and Charybdis they arrived at the island of the Sun. Some of the men killed and ate oxen. The Sun unleashed its fury and killed the remaining crew except Odysseus. Odysseus’s last stop was the island of Calypso, where he stayed for years.Twenty years is a long time for a man to be away from his home and family. I decided to help Odysseus and forget about my anger towards him. I convinced the other gods to help Odysseus return home. Hermes delivered Zeus’s command to Calypso, ordering her to release Odysseus. I told his son, Telemachus to search for his father. Although it took some time Odysessues returned home with assistance from the King of the Phaeacians. In the end, he (Odysseus0 killed all but one of Penelope

In book five Odysseus is presented with a very great and tempting barrier. Calypso confronts him with this statement, “But if you only knew, down deep, what pains are fated to fill your cup before you reach that shore, you’d stay right here, preside in our house with me and be immortal.” She promised him that he would possess a trait that no other human in the odyssey has, immortality. Even though her offers are very tempting and would be self fulfilling, he promptly rejects because all he wants is to go home and the love of his life, Penelope. This act alone shows that he was willing to give himself and up for a greater cause. He showed great discipline and faithfulness to reject Calypso’s offer and to continue on his journey home. At the beginning of the epic, Odysseus did have one flaw that could have been detrimental to his homecoming journey and that was self-glorification. By the end of the Odyssey, Odysseus overcame his pride and tempered it with patience because at the end of the day he didn’t really know that Penelope would be waiting on him, but he was willing to put in the effort to find out what was at the end of the road.

There have been many proposed theories to the great hero Odysseus’ return to Ithaca. Odysseus has wandered long and far to make his return to his home soil. He fought Cyclopes, fled from cannibalistic Giants, spent seven years on a nearly deserted island, and literally went to hell and back just to breathe the air of his motherland. There has been great debate on what kept the enduring hero from giving up. He could have accepted his fate as an immortal on the Island of Calypso or allowed his will power to dwindle and fallen into the jaws of Charybdis. What did the hero truly desire so much that he refused the will of the Gods to reach his native land. It was his beloved wife Penelope.

Humanity has always strived for greatness, and is destined to continue this attempt till the world stops spinning. Through the art of storytelling, and literature, we have weaved images of what the ideal human should be. Countless works of literature depict such humans as “heroes”, due to the inspiration they stir within our imperfect souls. Truly epic heroes shape future stories, and remain influential despite the weathering of time. Two heroes of epic proportions can be found in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, through the grand tales of Achilles and Odysseus. How are these two men heroes? Better yet, what makes each unique in their

Joseph and Odysseus successfully surmount any problems that emerge along the way by using their cunning intelligence. The mind is a hero’s greatest weapon.