There are three similarities between Odysseus and Aeneas. Firstly, they both have gone to the underworld. For example, hoping to go home safely, Odysseus goes to the underworld and consults with Tiresias. As for Aeneas, he descends to the underworld in order to see his father and understand the god-send mission. Secondly, they are loyal to their family. Even if Calypso offers immortality to Odysseus, he refuses it and yearns to go back to Ithaca, which is his real home. By contrast, Aeneas does not forget to bring his family out of the falling Troy even if the Greek are slaughtering nearby. Thirdly, these two protagonists have confronted a lot of dangers and temptations. For instance, on their way to home, Odysseus and Aeneas are both in danger of barbarian civilization and tempted by Sirens’ songs. On the other hand, they have dissimilarities in terms of the things they fight for. Odysseus mainly fights himself for the things which he can enjoy immediately. For example, after Odysseus goes back to home, he can live peacefully with his family. Unlike Odysseus, Aeneas sacrifices himself for somethings he cannot enjoy. For instance, Aeneas reluctantly discards Dido to complete the mission; however, he still cannot see the Roman Empire with his own eyes.
Odysseus and Aeneas both irritate some Olympian Gods; however, their responses are different. Poseidon is annoyed by Odysseus’ action of blinding Cyclope’s eye, so he sends a storm to destroy the fleet of Odysseus. After realizing that all his men are killed by Poseidon, Odysseus does not curse the god, for he knows that the reason is his arrogance. In the end, with the assistance of Athena, he pacifies Poseidon by preaching the sea god’s ritual without hesitation. As for Aeneas, Juno vents the anger toward Paris to him. Because of the successive