In stories like The Alchemist, The Odyssey, and The Count of Monte Cristo, while some disguises were similar, each hero used their disguise a little differently depending on their goals. Santiago, the main character of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, does not use a disguise. The closest Santiago got to having a disguise was during this exchange:"Who is your friend?" the chief asked. "An alchemist," said the alchemist. "He understands the forces of nature. And he wants to show you his extraordinary powers"(139). Because of what the alchemist said, Santiago temporarily had a form of disguise. But it turned out to not be much of a disguise, as Santiago spoke the Language of the World and became the desert wind. That made him an alchemist as can control the forces of nature like the other alchemist said. Santiago’s …show more content…
In Odysseus’ return home, he uses a disguise. This is because there were people in Ithaca who would’ve killed him on the spot if he showed himself. Odysseus also wanted to secretly test the people closest to him for loyalty to him, so Athena “... shriveled the clear skin of his arms and legs, made all his hair fall out, cast over him the wrinkled hide of an old man, and bleared both his eyes, that were so bright.”(13), giving him the disguise of an old beggar. His disguise was different from the other disguises because of their purpose. Odysseus used his disguise to test loyalty, Edmond used his to help plan revenge, and Santiago just didn’t want to be killed. Odysseus is also the only one to have godly help with his disguise, as Athena cloaks him as the beggar. But one similarity is that all three are using their disguise to protect themselves from harm. Whether it be death for Santiago and Odysseus, or being put back in Chateau d’Ilf for Edmond Dantes. Another similarity that is only shared with Edmond Dantes is that their disguises were mostly involved in The Return part of their Hero’s