Aeneid Vs Odyssey

The main characters in Homer and Virgil’s epics, Odyssey and Aeneid, respectively, share common characteristics, but vary in regards to their demeanor and attitudes. Despite character differences, the epics share similar introductions and structure which provide the characters with similar experiences. Achilles, Odysseus, and Aeneas’ individual characters are reflective of their cultures, Achilles and Odysseus being Greek, but Aeneas Roman. The compositions particularly show these aspects in the names of the deities, which clearly separates the cultures of the works. I assert that Homer and Virgil share stylistic aspects and parallels in the structures of their stories which feature the same types of conflict because Virgil wanted to write

Homer uses a Muse to start his epics, while Virgil utilizes a narrator and a Muse to tell the story. The poets share a similar structure with introductions, which can be seen as Iliad names its protagonist, Achilles, and antagonist, Agamemnon. The structure is mirrored as Aeneid opens with naming a man at war, Aeneas, and spotlights Juno as an antagonist by showing her rage. The poets share this structure to allude the “man against man” conflicts the heroes will hold. However, Odysseus is the one hero who constantly experiences a “man against self” conflict. Iliad begin as, “Rage: Sing Goddess, of Achilles’ rage, black and murderous, that cost the Greeks incalculable pain” … “Begin with the clash between Agamemnon- the Greek warlord- and godlike Achilles” (Homer Iliad 1. 1-8), while Odyssey begins as, “Speak, Memory- Of the cunning hero, The wanderer, blown off course time and time again after he plundered Troy’s sacred heights” (Homer Odyssey, 1.1-3). This invocation directly introduces main characters, and gives presage to the following story. It is also worth noting that Homer’s introduction focuses attention on the gravity of the situation using indicators by including the emotions of anger, hopelessness, and pride. Homer indirectly shows Greek pride by comparing Achilles to a god, but directly shows this by speaking of Odysseus’ plunder of Troy. Aeneid is more ambiguous as introduces Aeneas not by name, but by the circumstance, “I sing of warfare and a man at war. From the sea-coast of Troy in early days he came to Italy by destiny” … “By blows from powers of the air- behind them- baleful Juno in her sleepless rage” (Virgil Aeneid 1. 1-8). Virgil follows Homer by drawing attention to rage, but the antagonist, rather the protagonist holds the rage. Conclusion