oddysey and aeneid

The Odyssey and the Aeneid were composed in ancient Greek times, around 30 and 700 b.c. The most prominent, and most obvious, similarity of both the Odyssey and the Aeneid is that they are both epics. An epic is a long narrative poem in an elevated style that deals with the trials and achievements of a great hero or heroes. There are two types of epics, primary and Secondary. The primary epic comes from mores, legends, or folk tales of a people and is initially developed in an oral tradition of storytelling. The Secondary epic is mostly literary. They are written from their beginning and designed to appear as whole stories. The word “ epic” comes from the Greek word epos, originally meaning “ word” but later “oration” or “song.” Some of the poetic devices characteristic of epics are journeys or quests, various trials or tests of the hero, and divine interve

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Although the Odyssey is a primary epic and the Aeneid is a Secondary epic, they are similar in that both depict long journeys, and dangerous perils which are fated by the gods. For example, Aeolus, who is present in both the Odyssey and the Aeneid, is God of the winds. It is left to the god’s to decide what happens and how. It is said that one cannot avoid his or her fate. Through such external circumstance and outside influence both heroes are forced to overcome these tests of strength and cunning. Apollo appeared indirectly through his priests in Book III, and through the sibyl of Cumae in Book IV. Both also are pitted against Schylla, six-headed monster, who eats any passersby, and Charybdis, a black hole-like whirlpool that swallows everything near it at least three times a day. Aeneas also encounters Polyphemus and his fellow Cyclops’ who attack the Trojans when they land near Mount Athena. For example, Odysseus encounters Polyphemus, a Cyclops or one-eyed giant, who traps Odysseus and his crewmates in his cave while they were exploring the unfamiliar land. Divine intervention, or fate, has been evident in almost all of Greek mythology. Furthermore, Athena frequently intervenes on Odysseus’ or Telemachus’ behalf, often in disguise. Odysseus, who has been absent from his homeland of Ithaca for about 20 years, has spent the first ten fighting in the Trojan War and the last ten trying to make his way home to his wife Penelope.

In the Odyssey and the Aeneid our heroes, Odysseus and Aeneas, journey over vast foreign lands and travel days upon days over sea.

Approximate Word count = 586
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

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