odysseus and achilles
Aaron K. Gillespie Plotnik
ENG 220
Essay 1
Recipe For Remembrance
The ancient people of Greek mythology believed there was a recipe for a mortal man to claim immortality, and have a name that echoes throughout the ages. The ingredients can be found between the two very popular mythical figures of ancient Greece, Odysseus from Homer’s “The Odyssey and Achilles from his other timeless story, “The Iliad”. This document will relay the commonalities shared through tragedy, and revenge, along with the contrasting characteristics of personality, methodology in combat and, endured hardships. Through the combination of their trials, experiences, and personal attributes, we will not only be able to identify them thoroughly as men worthy of remembrance, but we will understand what factors occupy the paradigm for their ongoing example of immortality as myths. (The following differences and similarities will be discussed separately in whole between “The Iliad”, and “The Odyssey” to maintain chronological order) Homer’s story “The Iliad”, the story of the Trojan War is one of epic proportions, and offers many conflicts between its characters. From instances between gods, cities, kings, and warriors, there is no greater conflict than that between Achilles, and the Prince of Troy, Hector. Ironically the unforeseen issue between these two came about due to Achilles disdain for his king, Agamemnon. After Agamemnon frees Priam’s daughter he demands Achilles love interest Briseis. As an argument ensued over the matter Achilles proceeded to explain his resistance to Agamemnon’s future orders “What a poltroon, how lily-livered I should be called, if I Knuckled under to all you do or say! Give your commands to someone else, not me! And one more thing I have to tell you; think it over: this time, for the girl, I will not wrangle in arms with you anymore, though I am robbed of what was given me; but as for any other thing I have alongside my black ship, you
ENG 220
Essay 1
Recipe For Remembrance
The ancient people of Greek mythology believed there was a recipe for a mortal man to claim immortality, and have a name that echoes throughout the ages. The ingredients can be found between the two very popular mythical figures of ancient Greece, Odysseus from Homer’s “The Odyssey and Achilles from his other timeless story, “The Iliad”. This document will relay the commonalities shared through tragedy, and revenge, along with the contrasting characteristics of personality, methodology in combat and, endured hardships. Through the combination of their trials, experiences, and personal attributes, we will not only be able to identify them thoroughly as men worthy of remembrance, but we will understand what factors occupy the paradigm for their ongoing example of immortality as myths. (The following differences and similarities will be discussed separately in whole between “The Iliad”, and “The Odyssey” to maintain chronological order) Homer’s story “The Iliad”, the story of the Trojan War is one of epic proportions, and offers many conflicts between its characters. From instances between gods, cities, kings, and warriors, there is no greater conflict than that between Achilles, and the Prince of Troy, Hector. Ironically the unforeseen issue between these two came about due to Achilles disdain for his king, Agamemnon. After Agamemnon frees Priam’s daughter he demands Achilles love interest Briseis. As an argument ensued over the matter Achilles proceeded to explain his resistance to Agamemnon’s future orders “What a poltroon, how lily-livered I should be called, if I Knuckled under to all you do or say! Give your commands to someone else, not me! And one more thing I have to tell you; think it over: this time, for the girl, I will not wrangle in arms with you anymore, though I am robbed of what was given me; but as for any other thing I have alongside my black ship, you