Comparison of the Figure of Achilles with Odysseus and Gilgamesh - Research Paper Example

English 15 April Aristotle once said that “the man who is incapable of working in common, or who in his self-sufficiency has no need of others, is no part of the community” (Homer), and is like a beast or a God. Self-sufficiency can be defined as the ability to maintain oneself without dependency on others. In Edel’s view, the definition of self-sufficiency cannot be limited with a mere reference to the 'self' of a man. It also involves the society in which he lives that comprises his parents, children, wife, friends and fellow citizens, "since man is by nature a social and political being" (Johnston par. 8). This paper is an attempt to compare and analyze the heroic figures Achilles and Odysseus, in the light of Aristotle’s statement. The thesis statement of this paper is that Achilles is a self-sufficient god-like figure, when compared to Odysseus, who constantly fights to reach his homeland and reclaim his family and home. Homer is the author of the 'Iliad' and the 'Odyssey', the two major Greek epic poems that form a significant part of ancient history and classic literature. The Iliad deals with the incidents that take place in the tenth year of the Trojan War, with special emphasis to the famous Greek warrior Achilles.Odyssey, on the other hand, deals with the return of Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, in post-Trojan War. Achilles and Odysseus are considered as the greatest Achaean heroes of Trojan War. Odysseus is a great leader, orator, and tactician; whereas Achilles is a daring warrior, who is proud of his abilities. Homer does not portray Achilles and Odysseus in generic human forms. His heroes are men who are warriors, consistently indulging in activities that require unique traits and qualities, beyond the deeds of normal human forms. Homer portrays Achilles and Odysseus as men possessing different distinguishing qualities that make them absolutely fit for the ancient Greek notion of 'heroes'. According to Lash, a hero possesses "a consistent capacity for action that surpasses the norm of man or woman" (Lash 5). Lash also states that a hero is not superior to human norms. A man is defined 'hero' with regard to his “traits and unique style of action [that]mark him as having 'arete', excellence. In excelling and exceeding himself, the hero becomes a model of higher potential for his clan, his race, his nation, and even for humanity at large" (Lash 5). Homer’s heroes are therefore males of exceptional abilities, with a great potential to excel a range of activities, and in doing so, become a source of inspiration to others. Achilles, the son of Peleus and Nereid Thetis, is a mighty warrior with god-like rage, which is uncommon among human forms. Homer mentions Achilles as god-like many a times and attributes the appearance of a God to him. Achilles is a self-sufficient man, as explained by Aristotle, except for his need for women. He is aware of his destiny that the city of Troy cannot be taken without his help, as prophesied by the seer Calchas. Achilles also knows that he is destined to die in the Trojan War. When Agamemnon offers material benefits for his participation in the Trojan War, Achilles replies that his life is more worth than these benefits. The sole aim of Achilles is to become an excellent warrior. He prefers death to dishonor, and yearns for a glorious death in the battlefield. When Agamemnon, takes away Achilles’ war-prize Briseis from him, Achilles turns against Agamemnon and refuses to fight for the Greeks. Achilles of The Iliad, on the other hand, is an archetypal hero who is in charge of the Myrmidons. He becomes arrogant and selfish, and turns against Greek forces. He asks Thetis to plead with Zeus, to bring failure to the Greeks, so that Agamemnon would realize his value. When Briseis is returned to Achilles, he with draws from fighting. Later, he is filled with rage, when Hector kills Patroclus, his friend, who fights in his place. Achilles returns to the fight and kills Hector. In rage, he desecrates the body of Hector, drags it behind his chariot to the walls of Troy, and denies even funeral-rites for Hector’s body. He relents only when Priam, the King of Troy, pleads him for Hector's body.Achilles continues to fight for the Greek army, until Paris, aided by Apollo, wounds him in the heel with an arrow, and kills him. The Odyssey describes the cunningness, adaptability, farsightedness, and courageous acts of Odysseus, who consistently tries to prove his heroic stature. Odysseus is primarily an adventurer, who receives both favors and curses from the Gods. Odysseus is not a man devoid of weaknesses; he is similar to other mortals, Odysseus desires physical comfort. Unlike other tragic heroes, his weaknesses are subjugated to his cunningness, and urge for glory. After Achilles' death, Odysseus competes against Telamonian Ajax for Achilles' divinely wrought armor, and he wins it through an eloquent oration in which he explains why he deserved the honor to receive the armor.He uses his cleverness and wit to thrive all adverse situations, rather than using his aging physical strength. This is evident when Odysseus gives the idea of Trojan Horse, which proves to be a winning strategy for the Greek army. On his journey home, Odysseus passes many obstacles in reclaiming his home and family. On his journey back home, Odysseus spent seven years in the captivity of Calypso. Though he escapes, the Sea God Poseidon wrecks his raft, and he reaches Scherie, the home of Phaeacians. In a pentathlon, Odysseus narrates the story of his trip after the fall of Troy, wherein countless adventures of Odysseus is revealed. The Phaeacians take him to Ithaca, and Odysseus disguises as a beggar with the aide of Goddess Athena. He discloses his identity to his son Telemachus, and with the help of Athena, Telemachus, Eumaeus, and Philoteus, Odysseus kills the suitors of Penelope, his wife. Athena pacifies the citizens of Ithaca, and Odysseus reclaims his throne. The Homeric heroes, Achilles and Odysseus, can aptly be marked as having 'arete' Odysseus is a man of physical and intellectual prowess, whereas Achilles fits to the description ‘god-like or beast’. They are distinctly different from other men, as they excel in acts of 'valeur' and 'virtues'. Odysseus is more attached to his society, friends and family, and he is driven by the desire to reclaim his family and home in Ithaca. Achilles, on the other hand, is free from attachments to the society, except for his want for women and his love for his friend Patroclus. Achilles fights like gods, and he is ferocity to the Trojans. His fierceness and bravery further gives him the attributes of a beast in the battleground, which in turn distances him from other fellow citizens. Odysseus earns his glory by his wits, and he is able to use the power of his mind and body to overcome dangers. Odysseus, besides his desire for glory, also yearns to return to his beloved, and hence chooses to use his cunning wit rather than his physical strength. He always prefers an alternate way to deal with dangers, rather than exerting physical strength. He was always willing to hide behind disguises and well-timed silence, if necessary, to overcome a looming danger. His excellence in oratory earns him his admirers. Poseidon's wrath makes Odysseus' journey a test of his valor and wit.He does not fail himself from his responsibilities as a leader, even in times of great peril. During his journey to the underworld, he encounters Achilles, who perished away while achieving brutish glory. Odysseus is able to emerge even from the underworld as a wiser man. Achilles chooses to be a mighty warrior, and he is transparent in his actions and speech. Achilles cannot tolerate deception, as deception fills him with rage. Homer starts the Iliad by asking the muse to "sing the rage of Peleus’ Son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost of Achaeans countless losses,” (Homer: The Iliad and The Odyssey par. 3). Achilles transforms to an angry beast, slaying hundreds of men by himself, and ironically exists like a God. His weaknesses lies in his want for women and love for his friend, which make him vulnerable in nature. Achilles’ aim is to achieve glory in the Trojan War. He knows that he will not survive the war. His valor fierceness and strength further gives him the attributes of a beast in the battleground, which in turn distances him from other fellow citizens. The tales of Achilles and Odusseus continue to enchant the siren song of heroic achievements, which are above the capability of lesser mortals. The heroic thoughts and actions of these figures have influenced many other literary works all over the world. Through Achilles and Odysseus, Homer is able to establish the idea of heroism in mankind, wherein a person is inspired to get rewarded the title of 'hero', for actions that are beyond one's abilities.Odyssey and Iliad instills a fascination for heroes, who like Odysseus and Achilles, have great strength, intelligence, eloquence, determination, wit, courage, and god-like appearance. According to Aristotle, a man should be judged upon reflection of his life as a whole (Stefansion 2).Achilles and Odysseus are similar in their intense motivation being love and their love to their homelands. However, they are strikingly different in their viewpoints regarding honor, material wealth, destinies, etc.They fights miraculously for a great reason, and in turn are valued by their society for their accomplishments. Achilles and Odysseus, though are men with faults, do not flinch away from the face of danger. Achilles places his honor above the victory of the whole Greek army. He is a man of power and rage, and it can be explained by the Greek word ‘menis’, which stands for the all-consuming battle-fury that is reserved for Gods. But Odysseus' character can be better explained with Greek words, ‘polymetis’ and ‘polytropos’, a man of twists and turns. Achilles relies upon his physical strength to triumph, whereas Odysseus uses his intellect and cunningness. This is evident in their war strategies; Achilles wins eleven cities out of the twelve cities won by the Greek forces; whereas Odysseus fights through slyness and tactics, the examples being, the Trojan horse and the theft of Palladium. To conclude, it can be said that Achilles is a demi-god who is self-sufficient and is in lesser need of others. His self-sufficiency, during the Trojan War, makes him realize that he has no need of others. Odysseus, on the other hand, is self-sufficient in a lesser way. He prefers to be with his family, surrounded by his well-wishers. He likes to tell stories about his valor, wit and courage. Odysseus though an epic hero is a part of his community, unlike Achilles who is a god-like figure.Achilles leads his life by a code of valor, honesty and honor. He prefers death to dishonor, and does not heed to material possessions. Odysseus, with his wit and shrewdness, prefers lies, disguise, and silence, to honesty and valor. Achilles, being a demi-god, prefers dying young to attain glory; Odysseus preserves his life to get back to Ithaca, and to his beloved wife Penelope. Achilles, with his martial skills and bravery overcome dangers, whereas Odysseus uses his wit and shrewdness to defeat the enemy. Achilles earns the title of being the mightiest warrior, and Odysseus is renowned as the most daring adventurer in the Greek Classics. Works Cited Homer. Ancient Greece and the Formation of the Western Mind. n.d. Web. 08 April 2012. Homer: The Iliad and The Odyssey. Bureau of Public Secrets. n.d. Web. 08 April 2012. Johnston, Ian. Lecture on Aristotle's Nicomachaean Ethics. Johnstonia. 1997. Web. 08 April 2012. Stefansion, Dominic. Man as Hero – Hero as Citizen: Models of Heroic Thought and Action in Homer, Plato and Rousseau. The University of Adelaide. 2004. Web. 08 April 2012. Read More