An epic is best described by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero. Epics like "Beowulf" and "The Odyssey" are perfect examples of this definition; they are each centered on the deeds and triumphs of their heroes‚ Beowulf and Odysseus. All epics are similar in a way that they are made up of elements. One major element of the epic is its themes. In all epics‚ the themes are what make and mold these narrative
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what society of that time viewed a hero as and how they can compare with one another. Homer’s Iliad shows the reader whom ancient society believed a hero to be. It was written in a time when society relied on those strong enough and brave enough to rule the people. This was perfect for the character‚ Achilles‚ because in the Iliad he is described to be “godlike” (Iliad‚ 131) and “swift-footed” (Iliad‚ 121) suggesting he had superhuman traits such as strength and speed. These qualities worked to
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Hector v. Achilles In Homers Iliad many of the male characters display characteristics that define the heroic warrior code of ancient Greece. They try to obtain glory and power through victories in war; yet still have a distinct human side. Throughout many conflicts described in the Iliad their weaknesses and strengths appear evident. Two examples of this are Achilles and Hector. Both of these men try to uphold the warrior code but with distinctly different approaches in war‚ relationships and
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have many contrasting characteristics that defined Greek and Roman epics. The writing styles of Homer and Virgil differ greatly in that‚ one is written in a Greek epic standpoint and the other is written in a Roman epic standpoint. In Homer’s The Iliad the warriors die heroic deaths to be remembered‚ which is common throughout the epic‚ Patroclus fighting and dying to Hector shows heroism because he fought alone and died alone against the greatest Trojan warrior. Homer wants the warriors to fight
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Beowulf and The Iliad tell stories of great heroes and their tales. As presented in his own tale‚ the Geatish hero of Beowulf is presented as a large and prideful man who fears nothing and no one. Within him rest the beast who carries the most brawn and courage to lead his men. To demonstrate his prideful nature‚ Beowulf challenges Grendel without armor or weaponry as a means to fight as equals. This shows how Beowulf truly honors his pride in battle. The Greek hero of The Iliad‚ Achilles‚ gives
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Ancient Hero Homer’s epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey created a classical setting for Greek Heroes. The poems are full of battles‚ peril and adventures that allow the heroic characters be courageous. The heroes face a barrage of arrows with out flinching and are merciless enough to kill many men with out regret. The heroic characters battle for love‚ duty‚ and to protect there homes and families. A hero is defined in Greek mythology as a person of divine ancestry who has courage‚ strength and
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Though different works‚ both the Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer each contain one outstanding character that excels in virtue. Even when forced to live with a dilemma that he or she did not cause‚ both Hektor‚ in the Iliad‚ and Penelope‚ in the Odyssey‚ remain virtuous. This becomes clear through their rigid fidelity to their spouses‚ their piety to the gods‚ and their resolute natures in the situations presented to them. The unfortunate circumstances in which both Hektor and Penelope find themselves
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The Trojan War: Myth or Reality? “Let me not then die ingloriously and without a struggle‚ but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter”. This quotation from Homer’s The Iliad comes from Hector‚ the strongest and longest standing trojan fighter‚ as he dies when fighting in the Trojan War. He speaks his desire to be remembered and praised as a hero‚ which Homer eventually made possible. Everyone has heard of the Trojan War‚ but not everyone agrees on whether it truly
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Achaian army in The Iliad. Though the two fictional worlds are very different‚ Gandalf and Nestor are still very comparable. In the two famous works of literature and in many other great tales‚ the archetypal character of the wise old man comes up over and over again. The wise old man is an elderly man who was once great himself when he was young and is now an experienced advisor and warrior. He gives crucial advice in times of war and life changing decisions. In The Iliad Nestor is the voice of
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personalities‚ characteristics and values. Homer’s Iliad is an epic creation which describes the events at some point in time during the Trojan War. There are many heroes and warriors in the epic but the greatest warrior of them is Achilles. Achilles is the son of Peleus and Thetis‚ the sea Goddess. His father Peleus is the king of Myrmidons which Achilles as their leader‚ joined King Agamemnon’s army and went to Troy to fight among Greeks. In the Homeric Iliad‚ Achilles possesses all the characteristics
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