A Comparative Recollection of The Odyssey and The Inferno
When making a sociological observation on the human race, one can draw many similarities between the vast numbers of cultures that flourish on earth. One of the commonalties sure to be witnessed by the sociologist is: mankind does many of the same fundamental aspects of life, having their specific cultures responsible for making only cosmetic changes to these tasks. Literature, like mankind, is also seen to have commonalities between different pieces of writing, with minor changes made by the writer's varied influences. Although Homer's The Odyssey and Dante's The Inferno were written roughly two thousand years apart and in cultures that have contrasting norms, both masterpieces are recognized as having many paralleled themes and subjects. The ancient Greek text and the more contemporary Italian poem are both written around the main idea of a grand journey, with differences arising in the purpose and the style of the expeditions. Also, both Homer and Dante include the thought that women play a submissive role in life, focally varying the degree of the subservience. Finally, the two texts climax with themes of betrayal. These scenes of betrayal are sternly portrayed between the covers of the literature; Homer focusing on revenging
The foremost disparity between the two texts is, unlike Odysseus, Dante only comments on the suffering of those punished. The conclusions of both The Odyssey and The Inferno unite to create a stellar monument to betrayal, a topic that literature tends to often tolerate. When comparing The Inferno to The Odyssey, this statement qualifies the characteristics of a forced journey and divine intervention. Satan resides in this circle of Hell, doomed to torture the world's three worst betrayers for all eternity. Both characters are in need of something more in their life, but neither of the characters are searching for the fulfillment needed for their attainment of contentment. During a conversation between Zeus and Athena, Zeus, speaking about Poseidon's hatred for Odysseus, says, "He does not kill the man, he only buffets him away from home. Both Homer and Dante establish the role of the female characters as meek and docile, a characteristic of past cultures that does not change until the Twentieth Century. "And show more grace in your obedience, or be chastised by Zeus. Dante, on the other hand, was lacking the morals of a good Catholic and had "wandered off from the straight path. Unlike Homer, Dante's aim is to write a comedy, in which the story customarily starts in a deep state of confusion and ends in a state of elation; Dante also chose the setting for his comedy to be Hell. Odysseus was set on his journey because Poseidon wanted revenge taken upon him for blinding the son of the powerful god; he was also released from Calypso's island, and continued his journey, because Athena admired him so greatly. The authors, Homer and Dante, choose the journey as the pivotal factor for delivering the epiphany that both characters require. The journey that Odysseus made was necessary to his life because after fighting a long war in Troy, Odysseus needed a clear picture of newly formed enemies within his kingdom who did not respect his rule or his family. Surprisingly, Homer and Dante end each story with a moral parable, each indicating that those who betray others will be punished harshly. In The Odyssey, characters like Penelope, Calypso and the Furies are on earth to primarily procreate.
Common topics in this essay:
Homer Dante,
Odyssey Dante,
Odysseus Dante,
Odyssey Inferno,
Odyssey Odysseus,
Rimini Thais,
Dante Virgil,
Inferno Odyssey,
,
Dante's Inferno,
homer dante,
odyssey inferno,
odysseus dante,
inferno story,
dante pilgrim,
canterbury tales,
dante virgil,
role life,
trojan war,
calypso furies,
|
Acceptance Essays
