Similarities and Differences in deception, subject matter and/ or context
‘The Odyssey’ by Homer, ‘The Aeneid’ by Virgil and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee were written in different eras, were produced for different audiences and contain heroes which displayed different beliefs. Though produced in different time periods, the narratives share some striking similarities and resemblances. They focus on male heroes, typically who are (in some way) more inclined compared to the ‘average mortal’. Atticus is very intelligent, Aeneas is a great leader and Odysseus is remarkably courageous; all three narratives deal with the trials, challenges and achievements of the hero.
A common element throughout all three narratives was that each hero
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had to overcome an obstacle. Each hero utilized their heroic characteristics and traits to overcome their obstacle, whether it be physically, emotionally or psychologically. Odysseus overcomes a physical obstacle when he returns to Ithaca and faces the suitors who have invaded his home. After long years trying to reach home, battling people and monsters along the way, Odysseus returns to one final obstacle. The suitors have disrespected Odysseus and his family by draining his resources, abusing his livestock, sleeping with his maids and attempting to court his wife in his absence. To restore balance for the wrongs of the suitors and regain his families honour, Odysseus had to slay all of the suitors. A strenuous task facing near 100 suitors but Odysseus with the help of his son Telemachus and two loyal servants, manages to overcome the suitors and exact revenge, something the Homeric audience would have demanded of their hero. Aeneas overcomes the emotional and physical obstacles in his way by a blend of his sympathy, kindness and sense of duty.
For a year, Aeneas delayed his destiny and departure to Italy by settling down with queen Dido in Carthage. The gods deliver a message to Aeneas and to his dismay he must leave “the land of his love” and resume his destiny (Aen. 4.). Though his parting from Dido is emotional, and he leaves her broken and suicidal, Aeneas remains level-headed and strong-willed, a noble quality known as gravitas to the Romans. By Aeneas having to leave Dido, he is overcoming a very emotional obstacle; he is leaving despite a chance of stability and love, the first since the death of his wife.
Atticus was a man of strong morals and conscience and in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, had to overcome the backlash and hate from defending Tom Robinson. With what seemed to be the majority of Maycomb County against him and his own safety at stake, Atticus knew that he couldn’t win the trial. Yet accompanied by his rationality, good ethics and determination he overcomes the trial. It is not the desired ending, but for his efforts in the trial, Atticus gains the respect of the black community and the respect of others in Maycomb by following through and overcoming the challenges that followed the
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trial. A commonality between all three heroes was that they all had a drive to prove themselves as heroes. Whether it be to their family, state or the audience, throughout their journey / story the protagonists were faced with doubt and through a series of successes and achievement when confronted by challenges and tribulations, they proved that they are worthy of being a hero. In ‘The Odyssey’, Odysseus must find his way home, and to prove himself as a true Greek hero he is expected to fight and win many battles, overcoming all physical and emotional obstacles in his way. On his journey home, he encounters many different obstacles that test his strength as a hero. He endures attacks from The Cicones and the Laestrygonians, he faces monsters like Cyclopes, Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis, and he must endure the wrath of the god Poseidon. Odysseus overcoming all obstacles thrown his way proves himself as a true Homeric hero to the Greek audience. Aeneas is set with the task and fulfilling his destiny of founding Rome and through his journey must prove himself as an ideal leader, role model and worthy first Roman. Atticus Finch in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, when dealt with the impossible task of defending a black man, in a trial that would never win in the 1930’s, must against the odds prove himself an honourable man/ lawyer by remaining a man of conscience. To which he does so successfully. All three heroes strive for greatness and through tough endeavours verify their heroism and prove themselves as authentic and justified heroes and leader to their audience. In Classical times, to venture down into the Underworld and return was a task only undisputed and strong-willed heroes could achieve. It was not a task many could perform; however, it was a task both Odysseus and Aeneas completed. Odysseus travels to the Underworld to speak with the spirit of blind prophet Teiresias, who will tell him how to get home. An oracle tells Aeneas that he must visit his father in the Underworld as it will give him a chance to reflect on his past and finally focus on his Fate and future. Both Homer and Virgil scripting their heroes to visit and return from the Underworld shows Odysseus’ and Aeneas' heroism as visiting the land of the dead is something only true classical heroes can do. Family played an essential role in the heroes’ narratives and was a common element in all three stories. Family was used to motivate and drive each hero to complete their duties and responsibilities. All three heroes were fathers. Odysseus was motivated to reach his home in Ithaca because he desired to return to his wife Penelope and son Telemachus. When we are introduced to Odysseus for the very first time, he is sitting on the shore of Calypso’s Island, weeping as his “tears shed for his lost home” (Ody. 5). Remembering his family motivated Odysseus to leave Calypso’s Island and drove him to reach Ithaca. Aeneas’ loyalty to his family was evident. Aeneas put his family first in all situations and he centred his actions and decisions around them. In Book 2, when Aeneas’ father Anchises refused to leave Troy during the Greeks attack, Aeneas couldn’t leave either because he could not abandon him. In Aeneas’ eyes, there was no other “alternative open” and if his father wouldn’t leave Troy, he would stay and fight to keep his family alive for as long as possible. It is only when Jupiter sends the omens that they should leave that Anchises changes his mind and Aeneas’ flees with his family in tow. Aeneas was willing to stay and fight in Troy for his family. Not only did his father determine is actions, but Aeneas’ incentive to complete his destiny / duty was his son Ascanius. Aeneas wanted a better life for his son and he wanted his son to grow up and fulfil his own destiny. Likewise to Odysseus and Aeneas, Atticus’ children were his main priority throughout his story. During his involvement in the trial, Atticus’ main concern was with the safety of his children and he was motivated to carry on with the case because he was compelled to teach Jem and Scout right from wrong. Odysseus, Aeneas and Atticus only wanted what was best for their children and always kept their family in mind when making decisions. Homer’s epic and Virgil’s epic, though sharing many similarities, were composed years apart and the two writers opposing beliefs and cultures was clearly perceived in their epics. Virgil was inspired by Homer’s epics ‘The Iliad’ and ‘The Odyssey’ to compose his own Roman epic. Because Virgil’s works were based off of and adaptations of Homer’s works and Greek culture, there were many similarities between the two authors creations. Nonetheless, the opposing beliefs, values, perspectives and eras of Roman and Greek culture resulted in numerous differences in Homer’s epic ‘The Odyssey’ and Virgil’s epic ‘The Aeneid’. Greek beliefs focused on kleos, bravery and strength and their heroes often came across as self-centred; Odysseus reflected this in his narrative. The Greek beliefs of 750BC greatly contrasted the Roman beliefs and values around 30BC. Romans were focused on their state, accepting wider responsibility to provide for their home and they expected their heroes to embody this. Aeneas was a great example of a dutiful Roman hero. Though the characters and divinities were relatively the same, they reflected the beliefs and attitudes of the culture they were intended and written for. All three heroes are considered heroes because their beliefs and values reflect the attitudes of their respective audiences.
Odysseus and Aeneas, along with their morals, are expected to be strong and have a muscular physical stature. Unlike Odysseus and Aeneas, Atticus does not have this muscular physical appearance but is still deemed a modern hero. In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, Atticus is described as having, what we’d consider today, a ‘normal or average physique’. Atticus is nearly fifty years old and as described by his daughter Scout. Compared to the other fathers in Maycomb he’s quite feeble and his black hair is turning grey. He has square cut features but he is going blind in his left eye and always wears glasses. Compared to Odysseus’ and Aeneas’ depictions of astonishing strength and muscle, Atticus does not match up. Atticus’ physical stature does not reduce him as a hero because a modern audience does not require their heroes to be physically inclined. The modern view of a hero has broadened and physical appearance is not as exclusive as the physical requirements of a classical
hero.
Tens of thousands of stories fit into the hero’s journey archetype created by Christopher Volger. Out of these, a large number of them are stories with remakes that share notable resemblances in their heroes’ journeys. However, none of these quite match those very strong similarities found between Homer’s The Odyssey and Joel Coens’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? These stories share crucial components of the hero’s journey whether it be “crossing the first threshold,” where the main characters of both stories begin their long adventure that transforms them into heroes; “the supreme ordeal,” where the main characters are both deprived of the opportunity to get home sooner; or “return with elixir,” where Odysseus and Ulysses both return to their homes alive the comfort of their wives. In their major plot points, the novel The Odyssey and the motion picture O Brother convey obvious similarities in key elements of their heroes’ journeys such as “crossing the first threshold,” “the supreme ordeal,” and “return with elixir.”
O Brother Where Art Thou is a movie based off of Greek mythology of Odysseus and his adventures. Odysseus can be translated in Roman mythology to Ulysses, like this there are many comparisons in both texts. In O Brother Where Art Thou most of the challenges that Ulysses, Delmar and Pete face can be associated with the obstacles in the Odyssey. Even though the stories were written seven hundred and thirty years apart they are still very similar. Throughout both, the Odyssey and O Brother Where Art Thou, adversity is faced in a persistent manner, although one is a book and another is a movie, similarities and differences coincides with each other.
Most works of literature have their characters embarking on a journey or journeys to reach a desired location whether it is mentally or physically. These journeys do not stand alone but contribute to the piece as a whole. The Kite Runner focuses on Amir taking on life in his suffering country to moving to a land granting great opportunity and ultimately returning home to complete a deed that would stabilize him for the remainder of his life. In the epic The Odyssey, Odysseus or Ulysses in the Latin form takes on many challenges on the dangerous sea attempting to return home to Ithaca after being victorious in the Trojan War. Traveling can also reunite characters once again as it did for Amir and Hassan in The Kite Runner or bring together two such as Telemachus and Pisistratus in The Odyssey. “This journey has brought us together still more closely” (Homer 15.59-60). Characters walk through the journeys authors create on pages and typically change for the better or reach an ultimate goal.
Many themes are demonstrated in To Kill A Mockingbird and Mississippi Trial, 1955. Three of the most predominant themes were courage, integrity, and truth. The author developed these themes gradually throughout both books by illustrating the actions and thoughts of the main characters. Because of these characteristics, Hiram Hilburn and Atticus Finch emerge as the heroes of the stories. The way in which heroes become inspirational to others is by learning from their mistakes. Atticus and Hiram both struggle with the pressure to follow the crowd, but the critical question is will they be able to do what’s best for the town?
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior, to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single parent in a small southern town in the 1930's, is appointed by the local judge to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Friends and neighbors object when Atticus puts up a strong and spirited defense on behalf of the accused black man. Atticus renounces violence but stands up for what he believes in. He decides to defend Tom Robinson because if he did not, he would not only lose the respect of his children and the townspeople, but himself
As such, he does not want the men to inform Dido of what is going on and wants them to hide the reason for these changes - “et quae rebus sit causa novandis dissimulent” (4.290-1) because he knows it will break her heart. He wants to tell her himself, at a “tender moment” which he can let her down softly, as seen as Virgil writes “temptaturum aditus et quae mollissima fandi tempora, quis rebus dexter modus” (4.293-4). He does not want to break their love because it appears he truly cares about her, and he refers to her with highest regard, calling her “optima Dido” (4.291). As such, Aeneas can be considered noble man. While he is still abandoning her, he is not doing it in the middle of the night without saying goodbye. It is extremely difficult to face someone you love and tell them goodbye, but he undertakes this task because he understands this is the only right thing to
Atticus Finch is a character of stability in an unstable society. He is a balanced figure who is able to cope with the unreasonable and highly emotional town in which he lives. He can manage the prejudiced white masses and still deal justly with the underprivileged Negro population of Maycomb. He is one of the few people who understand the individual worth of a person regardless of the color of his/her skin. This enables him to defend Tom Robinson based solely on the concept of justice and equality. In his closing argument, Atticus explains that, “there is one place all men are created equal. That place is in a court room” (Lee 205). This justifies the fact that Atticus believes in equality in a society, the equality not only of race, but also of sex, class, and religion as well. His view of equality and justice is a symbol of his own psychological stability throughout the novel. Accordingly, in the final analysis of the story, Atticus represents the “justice” in the community of Maycomb. His stability throughout the book is one of the many characteristics that depict Atticus Finch as the novel’s core.
Atticus is an incredible character in the book To Kill A Mockingbird. He displays three qualities that make him an incredible character. Atticus is determined. This is evident in the trial when he tries very hard to win for Tom Robinson and when he wants to take the case for an appeal. Atticus is also kind. We witness Atticus’ kindness in the way he acts and treats everyone in Maycomb. Atticus treats everyone with respect even if they don’t deserve it. Lastly, Atticus is patient. The author shows this through the way he treats Jem and Scout and everyone else in Maycomb. This essay will show that Atticus possesses the three qualities just mentioned. This essay will also show how the events and examples just mentioned show unique qualities.
By mentioning the downfall of his people during the Trojan War and foreshadowing his destiny by "Sparing the conquered" Trojans and "battle down the proud" Greeks, can be looked upon as a reinforcement of his duties not only to his dead father and family, but to the entire Trojan population. To let another character found and rule Rome would just prove the failure of his people again, as shown through the Trojan war. Aeneas feels great pride and energy regarding his role in history and is anxious to continue on his journey. The gods are trying to convince Aeneas to value duty to his city and family, a kind of affiliation or relation by virtue of descent as-if from a parent, above duty to a lover by mere affiliation, or arbitrary association. This perspective on an appeal to authority still hinges on a relationship between Aeneas' desire for affiliation and public authority as the authority of filial priority. We learn early on in this epic that Aeneas is a very important character because of his divine parentage. After all, his mother is the Goddess Venus and his father's brother was the King of Troy. His mother is more concerned with his destiny than with his happiness. She makes Dido fall in love with Aeneas and then he falls in love with the Carthaginian queen in return. Despite the fact that he is happy, his mother is one of the gods working to make him fulfill his destiny. This "destiny" is truly revealed to Aeneas in the underworld when he encounters a few fellow Trojan comrades.
Although they are critiqued, some people do whatever they can do to improve our society. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch proves himself to be a hero. This small-town lawyer exhibits bravery, strength, and modesty when faced with objection during Maycomb’s quarrel for justice. Without a doubt, Atticus proves that anybody can stand for what he or she believes is right.
Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...
Odysseus’ journey is one that features much emotional pain. Pain for being away from his home, wife and son, but in Aeneas’ journey he is a warrior, and he goes through physical pain. Unlike Odysseus, Aeneas begins his journey after the Greeks have burned his home to the ground. He does not have the pleasure of long comfortable “holdups” Odysseus has and he also has to deal with his father dying—the ultimate blow.
The first “mockingbird” that is featured in the novel is a man named Atticus Finch. Not only is Atticus Finch the sole representative of Maycomb in the legislature, but also he is a brilliant lawyer. In addition, he has a good reputation in both Maycomb’s black and white communities because of his exceptional character. However, his reputation is soon shattered when he is faced with a case in court that affects him personally: he must defend an African American man in court in Maycomb’s segregated society. If Atticus chooses to try defending the man, he will lose his good status in town, since his racist American neighbors will soon disrespect him for treating the African Americans as equal to the Americans, which is highly unacceptable in the United States during the 1930s. However, Atticus still accepted the case believing that if he does not, he w...
Through various happenings - including the meddling of the gods Juno and Venus (Virgil 4.125-126) - the two enter into a romantic relationship. Seemingly an act of Aeneas’ own free will, he stays in Carthage with Dido for the better portion of a year (4.192-196). Aeneas settles into what we can grasp as his chosen life with Dido just in time for the god Mercury to appear to him and remind him of his task. Mercury says to Aeneas, “Have you entirely forgotten your own kingdom and your own destiny?” (4.269-270). This prompt from Mercury truly moves Aeneas, and the idea of spending life in Carthage building an empire with Dido is quickly abandoned, as Aeneas suddenly and completely change his mind about staying in Carthage at these words. In this case, the word of the gods is absolute, and Aeneas has no choice but to submit to there will, leaving Dido for his future in Italy. Aeneas himself tries to explain to Dido upon his departure that, “ It is not by my own will that I search for Italy ” (4.361). This statement is further confirmation that Aeneas is acting under the influence of the gods and not by his own free
“You never really understood a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around it.” Atticus Finch is a man of extreme integrity. He, as both a lawyer and a human being, stands up for his democratic beliefs and encourages his children to stand up for their own, though they may stand alone. Harper Lee showed how far respect went in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus defended Tom Robinson in his rape trial. He did not think twice about being ridiculed by th...