Hum 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hum 1 - Essay Example Consequently, the outstanding performance made Achilles, Hector and Odysseus make them heroes of all ages and all regions of the globe at large. One of the most distinguished characteristics of the Homeric heroic code includes that the heroes contain exceptional physical strength and mental capabilities. Hence, even humans, they enjoy some traits attributed to Greek gods. Thus, Achilles, Hector, Odysseus, Patroclus, Ithaca and others perform such marvelous deeds that arouse astounding wonder and invite shocking surprise of the readers and spectators alike. Hence, Iliad serves as â€Å"an expansive poem of enormous scope, composed in an archaic and superbly elevated style of language, concerning the wondrous deeds of heroes; these deeds were meant to arouse a sense of wonder or marvel is difficult for the modern mind to comprehend, especially in a time when even such words as wonderful or marvelous have lost much of their evocative power.† (Nagy, 1991) Furthermore, another uniq ue trait of them is that they never surrender on the way to gravest challenges, either they are being challenged by the enormous monsters, or fighting against the floods, famine and any other natural calamity. For instance, Hector did not the prophecy of his being killed in the battlefield, and left his beautiful wife Andromache and innocent son Astyanax in order to display gallant deeds against the foes of his Trojan nation fighting under the commandership of Greek Achilles. Hence, he strictly observes pride, prestige and honor in his behavior, and his feet never waver or tremble even when he was at the verge of his inevitable death at Achilles’ hands in the war. The same was the case with Achilles himself, who forgot his resentment he had maintained for Agamemnon because of his injustice towards him in the case of Chryseis, the Trojan lady, who became captive during the war and was taken by Achilles but was snatched by Agamemnon. Thus he displayed unconditional and unflinch ing dedication and valor during the Trojan War and killed Hector in the battlefield. "Oh Father Zeus, people say for wisdom you exceed all others, men and gods alike. Yet all this comes from you. . . ." (13.744) [13.631] Similarly, Odyssey concentrates upon the long and challenging journey of Odysseus, which was meant to return home in order to reunite with his wife, son and father. During the journey, he has to undergo severe trials and hurdles on his way, and every time he manages to crush these hurdles under the chariot wheels of his astounding determination, extraordinary commandership and exemplary intellect. He loses his companions in the Island of Cicones and is captured in a cave in the Island of Cyclopes. The race of cannibals stops him from proceeding on the one hand, and bad winds prove unfavorable towards Odysseus on the other. In addition, he has to spend many years as captive of the goddess Calypso. But he remains as firm as rock in the face of hardships and obstacles and subsequently comes out successful and triumphant in all ordeals and trials. Hence, he is