Comparison and Contrast Between the Heroes of Odysseus and Luke Skywalker - Essay Example

The early heroes were the personification of loyalty, audacity, and strength. They were often considered culturally perfect. The other citizens adored and idolized these heroes and they tried their best to imitate and learn from them, to achieve similar unblemished positions as the heroes. Contemporary heroes are depicted in varied sizes and forms even those who are anti-government. The contemporary society is full of anti-heroes mostly in the entertainment sector. The modern heroes such as the fictional superman, batman, and Spiderman, as well as the real people such as firefighters and national soldiers that are fighting against terrorists, are among the epic heroes that aid in bringing the world into tranquility when a dark force seeks to destroy the universe. The heroes reveal that challenges are not bad and to be tested may turn out to be the best undertaking. All the heroes are vital to the lives of people in this world. They are significant because they have to endure and tolerate several varied challenges to prove their worth and heroics. Their heroes are challenged mentally, physically, and emotionally, and they usually overcome this challenge to deliver the oppressed and save the world. These qualities of heroes are highlighted in the epic poem the Odyssey and the classic movie Star Wars, through the two epic heroes Odysseus and Luke Skywalker who embark on a journey where they have to endure numerous trials of their strengths to prove their worth as leaders and heroes.
The two epic supermen are comparable through the challenges, which they encounter in their expeditions. The two heroes encounter physical challenges in their adventures. Odysseus, who is the king of Ithaca and the champion who triumphed in the Trojan War, exhibits several incidents and occasions where he displays his physical strengths. For instance, his physical strengths are displayed when he uses his capability to string his bow and shoot arrows through all the ax handles. Odysseus also exhibits his physical strengths when he confronts Irus and they fight, as well as when he manages to escape from the storm, which was sent by Poseidon to send to drown him (Homer, 7). Similarly, Luke Skywalker encounters several situations, which test the physical strength that he endures. For example, Luke's journey commences when he fights against the sand people as he starts a journey, which he might be trapped in and never permitted to return home. Luke also exhibits his physical strengths, when he enters the Death Star bravery, to rescue Princess Leia a task he accomplishes heroically (Lucas, 1). These instances are a few of the make physical challenges, which Odysseus and Luke face in their journey that indicates their similarities. This character exhibits that physical strength is an essential trait which heroes and leaders exhibit both in the early and modern worlds (Homer, 7).
Another form of test in which Odysseus and Luke exhibit similarity is the test of mental strength in their voyage. The most significant test for Odysseus is when he battles with Cyclops when he ploys Polyphemus to run away from being eaten on his journey (Homer, 27). Correspondingly, Luke exhibits his mental strength when he has to learn how to trust the super force that aids him in his quest. Luke exhibits his mental strength when he trains on how to apply the lightsaber that belonged to his father. Luke further displays his mental strength when he faces the challenge of escaping the trash compactor or risk being crushed.