РефератыИностранный языкHeHeroism In Mythology Essay Research Paper Heroism

Heroism In Mythology Essay Research Paper Heroism

Heroism In Mythology Essay, Research Paper


Heroism is an important element in both Roman and Greek mythology. Honored as a


man of cunning and a master of strategy, Odysseus is a beau ideal of Greek


heroism. Being a man of sacrifice, rational thinking, and discipline, Aeneas is


a praised counterpart to Odysseus. Both were victims of savagery and temptation,


examples of heroism and valor, and recipients of struggle and satisfaction. Even


when they are characters of different authors, they share common characteristics


and abide by certain personality traits that define them to be heroes. A hero,


almost by definition, is an example of heroism and intelligence. In times of


danger and desolation, a hero must remain strong, brave, and think of his


survival, as well as the survival of his men. Odysseus, being a man of many


schemes, intoxicates and blinds the mighty Cyclops, Polyphemus in order to


obtain a chance to escape. Odysseus acted calmly and bravely and thereby


succeeded in obtaining freedom from the dreaded Cyclops. Romans, however, praise


Aeneas for his rational and less extravagant thinking. When he and his men


encountered the blinded Cyclops, Aeneas’ crew simply rowed away in their ships


seeking refuge. Aeneas augmented to the definition of a hero by acting


rationally. Bravery, strength, tranquility, and rationale are a few


characteristics that appear from a hero at times of peril. Yet another


characteristic of a mythological hero is an unselfish attitude toward fulfilling


one’s function in life. "?Scylla caught my six companions, lifted

them up


to her den, and threw their writhing bodies behind her into her hollow


cave?they screamed and reached toward me with their hands, begging me to the


last to save them, I watched the monster sit in the doorway of her den, and


devour them." (96) This rather gruesome scene depicts Odysseus allowing six


of his men to be consumed by the unimaginable barking monster. If his sense of


responsibility disappeared, he very likely would find happiness somewhere else


to evade this situation all together. Nonetheless, his duty was to bring as many


of his men as well as himself safely to Ithaca, raise his young son as a


warrior, and restore order in his kingdom. Aeneas also sacrifices his desires in


order to be the founder of the Roman race. "’Tell him,’ the lord of Olympus


commanded, ‘?He must set sail at once!’". Here Zeus commands Aeneas to


leave Dido and to go to Italy where his son will be the ruler of a new race.


Aeneas causes the suicide of Dido after he insists on his departure to Italy.


Aeneas has no choice; he cannot indulge in his interests while his


soon-to-become nation’s future is at stake. Both men show valor and commitment


by neglecting their desires for the future and well-being of others. Odysseus


with his bravery and Aeneas with his rational thinking exhibit authentic


heroism. Almost every piece of mythology has a hero or heroin because he/she


facilitates in the cohesion and flow of the story. Heroism is an essential


factor of Greek and Roman mythology as well as the basis for the reader’s


satisfaction.

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