Odysseus The Excellence, Aeneas The Devout

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Odysseus the Excellence, Aeneas the Devout
In The Aeneid and The Odyssey, Aeneas and Odysseus undergo a parallel journey with the ultimate purpose of returning home (St. Rosemary Educational Institution). Aeneas and Odysseus are similar in their character, situation and goals. Their differences, however, demonstrate the values of their respective societies. Virgil instills in Aeneas the Roman value of gravitas: a devotion to duty, the seriousness of purpose and sacrifice of one’s self for a greater good ("Virgil" 1052-1054). Whereas, Homer’s Odysseus, with his strength, bravery, wit and the need for fame, embodies the Greek value of arête; which is the highest efficient use of faculties to achieve real results. (Snyder). Although Aeneas …show more content…

Aeneas is the vanquished Trojan hero forced to leave his beloved Troy. The gods have imposed upon him a mission to found a new city. “If fate permitted me to spend my days by my own lights, and make the best of things according to my wishes, first of all, I should look after Troy and the loved relics left me of my people” (Virgil 1095). Although Aeneas’ heart lies with Troy, he will honor the duty bestowed upon him and leave. Whereas, Odysseus is the glorious hero who uses shrewdness and wit to turn the tide in the Trojan War by devising the Trojan horse. His shrewdness and wits are also evident in the defeating of Polyphemus and in destroying Penelope’s suitors. “Whoever gets around you must be sharp and guileful as a snake; even a god might bow to you in ways of dissimulation. You! You chameleon! Bottomless bag of tricks! Here in your own country would you not give your stratagems a rest or stop spellbinding for an instant?” (Homer 384). Odysseus has arête by using his mental excellence to defeat his …show more content…

While on their quest for home, Aeneas and Odysseus are delayed by women who love them. Dido loves Aeneas, and he is willing to stay and live the sweet life in Carthage (Virgil 1093). However, Aeneas has a duty to found a new city, and must leave Carthage and his beloved Dido. “Duty-Bound, Aeneas, though he struggled with desire to calm and comfort her in all her pain, to speak up to her and turn her mind from grief, and though he sighed his heart out, shaken with love, yet took the course heaven gave him” (Homer 1097). As expected of an ideal Roman leader, Aeneas will sacrifice his happiness for the greater good, the future Roman Empire. Unlike Aeneas, Odysseus will leave the Goddess Calypso, not for duty or purpose, but for his self-interest and happiness. “ My lady goddess, here is no cause for anger, My quiet Penelope – how well I know- would seem a shade before your majesty, death and old age being unknown to you, while she must die. Yet, it is true, each day I long for home, long for the sight of home” (Homer 283). Odysseus shows great strength of character (arête) in his desire to give up an immortal life with Calypso. He would rather live a human life with his beloved

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