Comparing The Once And Future King By T. H. White

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In discussions of epic heroes, one controversial issue has been whether or not heroes have to stay the same or not. On one hand, some argue that heroes have to stay the static. Others contend that heroes have to be dynamic, or go through a big change. Those who argue that epic heroes have to be a static character are mistaken because they overlook the fact that not everyone is the same, some people will change, and others will not.
In the book The Once and Future King, by T.H. White, King Arthur, someone who had gone through many hardships and lessons to change, did not complete his ideal, but is still considered a hero. White says "To these young people, a sight of Arthur as he hunted in the greenwood was like seeing the idea of Royalty. …show more content…

White, Sir Lancelot, someone who had also changed considerably, would also be considered a hero. The author says "I am not going to hurt you, he [Lancelot] said. It's all right. Let me see"(White 348). This shows Lancelot as a kind and merciful person. The man and Lancelot had been fighting, but after the man called mercy Lancelot immediately went to help the man. White also writes "I only had to pretend I was not myself, and I could have had the prisoners safe"(White 353). When Lancelot goes to save the prisoners from Sir Turquine he could have easily lied and said he was not Lancelot to get the prisoners but he did not. Lancelot chose to tell Sir Turquine that he was Lancelot, he gave him a fair chance to avenge his brother, also putting his life on the line. In conclusion, Lancelot had a sense of fairness and justice and he used that to help others, which is why he is considered a …show more content…

The author writes "But as I sent them to Scylla, I told them nothing"(Homer 936). This is showing that Odysseus did not tell his crew about Scylla, and how he had to sacrifice 6 of them. This is questionable because a hero would not have sacrificed 6 of his men, he knew 6 of them would have to die, but he still went that route anyways. The author also writes "I entered Circe's flawless bed of love"(Homer 921). This quote is insinuating that Odysseus had slept with Circe even though he already had a wife. This act is questionable because he is sleeping with other women, as if he was not committed to his current wife. In conclusion, Odysseus while on his way back to Ithaca, though he would go out and heroically and save his men, he also willingly sacrificed him just to get back to

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