Similarities Between The Odyssey And The Aeneid

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The Odyssey vs. The Aeneid: Character Analysis The Odyssey and Aeneid are two of the greatest epic poems from Greece and Rome respectively. These stories revolve around the journeys of heroes Odysseus and Aeneas, who are confronted with many obstacles along the way. As these men struggle to achieve their goals, intervention from various deities causes even more complications. Although these stories originate from different cultures, they share a common plot. These cultures exemplify their most valued traits through the portrayals of these heroes. Patriotism, bravery, and intellect are among some of the most prominent characteristics that these individuals demonstrate. Although each character comes with their own flaws, they are still idealistic …show more content…
Romans were known for their unwavering patriotism, and the belief they had in their nation. Their proud nature led them to compare themselves to their predecessor Greece, and examine the effects Greeks had on Roman culture. Greek culture and literature had a significant influence on Roman life, therefore Virgil ended up adopting an approach quite similar to the Greek style of writing. In The Aeneid, Virgil highlights the similarities and differences between the two civilizations. In this work he draws many parallels to Homer’s literature to emphasize his perspective on which society was superior. The characters of Aeneas and Odysseus perfectly capture the essence of their respective cultures. Virgil’s aim through his comparison of Aeneas and Odysseus is to prove that Romans have surpassed the Greek standard of morality.
In the Aeneid and the Odyssey, Aeneas and Odysseus both face a similar journey with the eventual goal of getting home. Throughout the course of their journeys the decisions and behaviors of the two are completely different. Aeneas personifies the Roman value of allegiance to his people and his destiny. He is given his task by the God Mercury to leave Carthage in order to found a new empire in Rome. Aeneas doesn’t hesitate to accepts this task, “As the sharp admonition and command from heaven had shaken him awake, he now burned only to be gone, to leave that land of the sweet life behind." (N.A. 1093,
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