Comparing Heroes In Life Of Pi And The Odyssey

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A hero is not only someone who succeeds a great feat or journey, being a hero is much more than that. By overcoming difficult obstacles in one’s inner self and their surroundings, one is created into an epic hero. Hence, the journeys, traveled by two epic heroes in books Life of Pi and The Odyssey, show similarities as well as differences in various incidents throughout the books. Protagonists, Pi and Odysseus, embark on journeys that strengthen their character and prove them to be great leaders and heroes. The guidance received—whether from Greek, Hindu, Christian, or Islamic gods—is truly ideal in the two heroes’ successes. Facing hardships that test their lives both physically and mentally, putting forth all efforts to fight temptations, …show more content…

In Life of Pi, Pi has to overcome the temptation to stay at the Meer cat island. He knows he could survive there as long as he wanted to, but knows he must not think these thoughts for he must return to the life he once knew. In Pi’s tempted state he says, “The thought of leaving the island had not crossed my mind once since I had arrived. It had been many weeks now…and they would stretch on. I was certain about that” (280), but Soon after he realizes how wrong he is. In The Odyssey, Odysseus has to overpower his urges and that of his crewmates to force everyone to leave the Land of the Lotus-eaters. Odysseus knows that if he and his crew eat the lotus they will be trapped on the island forever so he says, “Any crewmen who ate the lotus, the honey sweet fruit, lost all desire to send a message back, much less return, their only wish to linger there with the Lotus-eaters, grazing on lotus, all memory of the journey home dissolved forever” (214). Circe warns Odysseus of this and that he must fight the temptation. There are also two other instances however that Odysseus and his crew potentially struggle with temptation. It is in these instances that Odysseus has to lead his crew and muster all his strength to make it out alive. The first instance is that of the Sirens. Odysseus was warned that if he and his crew hear the songs of the Sirens they will be unable to resist sailing to their island. The second instance in which Odysseus and his crew are faced with temptations is when the Cattle of the Son God is present for the taking. Though Odysseus’ crew are too weak and give in to the temptation due to their starvation, Odysseus does not eat the cattle despite

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