Heroism in The Odyssey and Rama's Exile - Essay Example

Heroism in Homer’s Odyssey and Valmiki’s Ramayan Great epics of the world depict socio-cultural beliefs of the place of that period. Odyssey written by Greek Poet Homer and Ramayana written by Indian Poet Valmiki are two such great literary works that still enchants public and critics alike for a variety of reasons but the main being that civilizations identify with the characters and try to emulate them. We would analysing the two in relation to the ‘heroism and cause and effect of protagonists’ long exile from their homeland while determining the reasons for their actions and decisions’. Ramayana is one the most important epic of Hindu mythology that has great religious importance. The main character Rama, is reincarnation of God Vishu who comes to earth as Rama to destroy the demonic forces that were creating havoc among the saints and the general public. The story enfolds with the King Dasrath of Ayodhya, who had four wives and five sons. Rama, being the eldest, was heir to the throne. One of the wives, Kaikai was brainwashed by her maid Manthara into forcing the king to nominate her son Bharat as his heir apparent and exile Rama for fourteen years. The king complies under pressure and dies. Bharat, meanwhile, refuses to accede to his father’s wishes but but agrees to manage the kingdom on his behalf. Later, Rama leaves for fourteen years of exile with his wife Sita and younger brother Laxman. During his exile, Rama kills demons and frees people from their evil acts and influence restoring peace and harmony. His killing of the legendary Ravan, a powerful demon King with ten heads, is the highlight of the great epic. Return of Sri Rama to Ayodhya, is celebrated with lighting of bulbs and lots of fireworks. The event is still celebrated among the Hindus as one of the major Hindu Festival known as Diwali. The epic has religious significance because the hero of the epic is assumed to be a reincarnation of God Vishnu, one of the deity in Hindu mythology. Rama embodies all the finer qualities of a man. He has high moral and ethical values which are amply demonstrated when he persuades his brother Bharat to accept the throne in order to keep the honour of the words of their father who had given a solemn promise to his mother Kaikai. Despite not being used to hardships of the life, he willing faced all the trials and tribulations of life as an ordinary mortal while in exile. ‘Rama’s heroism lies in his attitude as well as in his acts’ (Pollock, 578).Rama was a brave and fearless person who used his strength for the good of the human race. Even as a young person, while he was undergoing education and training as a scholar and warrior, he fought the demons so that the saints could continue their prayers in peace. His love and kindness for mankind is exemplary. He rescues the young and the old with the same compassion and love. All through the epic, Rama is shown as a just person who would go to great lengths to reinstate the rights of the downtrodden. He was also a person who fought for his honour. When he realized that the powerful Demon King Ravan had kidnapped his wife, he went to fight him, with his army of soldiers who consisted of monkeys and other animals. Rama believed in performing his duties at all cost and he even chooses to separate from his beloved wife Sita so that people are made to realize that one’s duty towards other people and their welfare come first to any personal obligations and interests. The ideals represented by Rama as a person and as the King of Ayodhya, his reign is considered as the epitome of fair administration. These reasons make Ramayana, a great religious epic which encompasses human values. Homer’s Odyssey, on the other hand, is a remarkable epic set against the famous Trojan war of Troy. It is a tale of a brave warrior Odysseus, King of Ithaca, who gets lost after winning the famous Trojan war of Troy. This war is of historical significance because the Greek soldiers entered Troy by hiding in a huge horse made up of wood and then took their enemies by surprise. The twenty or more years that he spent away from his family, are filled with his experiences with various exotic elements of the nature and his encounters with God of Sea, Goddess Calypso, Circe, King of God, Zeus, his daughter Athena and many more interesting characters. On his way back to Ithaca, his ship is wrecked and he lands in a place which is inhabited by one eyed giant. Odysseus kills the giant and thus making Poseidon, the Sea God, his enemy because the giant happened to be his son. Later, he becomes a prisoner of sea nymph Calypso who is much enamoured by him. After one year with Calypso, he is released at the bequest of Zeus, who is the King of Gods. He then starts his journey for Ithaca but Poseidon again destroys his boat. He rescued by Athena who is the daughter of Zeus. He lands in the Phaeacians whose King Alcinous gives him shelter. Initially he conceals his identity but after he listens to the songs eulogising the Trojan War and his tale of bravery, Odysseus becomes sentimental and tells Alcinous, the truth who helps him to return to Ithaca. Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, Odysseus’s son Telemachus and his wife Penelope are harassed by suitors who want to marry Penelope. Athena comes in disguise and persuades Telemachus to go in search of his father because he was alive but lost. telemachus finds his father who was in disguise and together they come back to Ithaca and kill all the suitors and servants who had betrayed him and his family. Odyssey is an outstanding epic because it is a story of a brave King who survives severe mishaps and difficult times with great fortitude and courage. Odysseus is endowed with all the admirable qualities like courage, confidence, love for his people, nobility and an innate thirst for power and glory. He is also a shrewd person. ‘..his outstanding quality is a probing and versatile intelligence, which, combined with long experience, keeps him safe and alive through the trials and dangers of twenty years..’(Fitzgerald,97). Long separation from his family makes him more determined to return. During the period he was tempted and lured to betray his love for his wife and friends by beautiful nymph Calypso and sorceress Circe, but his love and loyalty towards his family and people remained intact. The tale is especially captivating because an ordinary plot is woven around super human characters and elements which provide the necessary glamour to the plot. The laudable human characteristics like courage against adversity, high moral, loyalty and love can easily be identified by people through all times and places thus making Homer’s Odyssey appealing to all. Both the epics have stood the test of time, proving that the inherent basic values of Man do not change with time or with place. It is the irony of human nature that even though people are segregated by nationality, race and color, the literature never hesitates to join them with the intrinsic bond of values which are common to all. References Fitzgerald, Robert. Nortons Anthology of World Materpieces: Homer The Odyssey. Vol. I. Pollock, Sheldon I. Nortons Anthology of World Materpieces: Rama’s Exile. Vol. I. Read More