Compare And Contrast Odysseus And King Leoniidas

The Better Hero

When comparing Homer’s Odysseus to King Leonidas, Leonidas should be considered the greater hero. Leonidas proves his loyalty to his men by fighting alongside them in battle, even as king. Not only does Leonidas fight with his men, he also fight against a tyrant to preserve his democracy. Odysseus on the other hand is not trustworthy, and proves that by having an affair while on his long journey away from his wife, Penelope. Leonidas is a great hero, as well as a great king.

Leonidas, “King of Sparta around 490 - 480 BCE”(McCaffrey), was a great leader especially during the Battle of Thermopylae when he fought in the front line with his men. Although Leonidas was outnumbered by the Persians he did not retreat or surrender.

By staying in battle, Leonidas shows his bravery and strength to fight for his men and for what he believes in. “My heart beating high now at the chance of action, and drawing the sharp sword from my hip I went along his flank to stab him where the midriff holds the liver” (Homer). Odysseus too shows his strength for his men by blinding the Kyclops, Persephone, while they are stuck in her cave. Both Leonidas and Odysseus show a heroic characteristic by presenting strength and bravery but, Leonidas is a better hero because of other heroic traits he presents.

Not only is Leonidas a good military leader he is also a political leader and fights to preserve his democracy.

King Leonidas goes into the Battle of Thermopylae to retain the Western Democracy. Along with a “heroic sacrifice because he sent most of his army away when he realized that the Persians outmaneuvered him”(Leonidas). Leonidas shows his loyalty to his men by sending most of them home where they would be safe, rather than fighting in a battle they were prone to lose. “Going forward I carried wax along the line, and laid it thick on their ears” (Homer). This action of Odysseus shows that he cares about his crew enough to protect them from the Sirens. Leonidas and Odysseus both share the traits of bravery, strength, and caring for their men but Leonidas is trustworthy and Odysseus on the other hand is

not.

The official tie-breaker between the two “heros” is who is trustworthy.

“ ‘Son of Laertes, versatile Odysseus, after these years with me, you still desire your old home?’ “ (Kalypso, Homer). This quote is from Kalypso’s conversation with Odysseus talking about how Odysseus still misses his wife even though he is with Kalypso. While Odysseus was away on his twenty-year journey, he has an affair with Kalypso. On the other hand, Leonidas is honest with his people and does not sneak around or lie to anyone. “Since Greeks had only on legitimate wife, there was no need for such clarification when it came to prominent Greek citizens” (Schrader). Leonidas was Greek and only had one wife, he was also trustworthy, honest, and a better hero than

Odysseus.

Granted both Son of Laertes, Odysseus, and King Leonidas of Sparta are both admirable heros, King Leonidas is the preferred hero due to his heroic manner. Odysseus is strong, brave, and curious but a hero has much more than that. To be a hero one needs to be honest and trustworthy along with being brave and strong. Furthermore, a must care for your people and fight for what you believe in. Lastly, King Leonidas of Sparta is the more desirable hero because of not only his actions but his mindset for himself as well as his people.