Differences and Similarities Between the Iliad and the Odyssey Regarding Achilles and Odysseus.

Alexzondrya Casteel

ENGL 2111.03

September 16, 2013

Zhigang Wang

List the differences and similarities between The Iliad and the Odyssey regarding Achilles and Odysseus.

Differences

The Iliad’s main character is Achilles, and the Odyssey’s main character is Odysseus. Both are different in many ways such as to what’s listed. Achilles and Odysseus are remembered for different things. Achilles is remembered for being a brave, reckless fighter. Odysseus is remember for the idea of the Trojan Horse and his journey home. The Iliad is about a war. The Iliad is a poem with other characters such as Paris, Helen, Hector, etc. The Iliad only takes place in one location, Troy. The Iliad takes place in Troy and is about a ten year war fought between the Greeks and the Trojans. In the Iliad Achilles did not favor Agamemnon at all, and did not decide to go to war until Odysseus talked him into going. Achilles only went to war so he could be known throughout the world. The Gods were mischievous favoring the Greeks, all except Zeus who remained neutral throughout the entire war. Both men approach war/battle differently. Achilles rushes in, while takes his time to think of a good strategy to defeat his enemy.

The Odyssey starts after the Iliad. The Odyssey is about the ten year journey home of Odysseus after the Trojan War ended. In the Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew visit many places on their journey back to Ithaca. In the Odyssey the all the Gods, except Poseidon try to help Odysseus find his way back to Ithaca. Even with the Goddess Athena’s help, Poseidon made Odysseus journey home harder and longer.

Similarities

The Iliad and the Odyssey are both accredited to Homer. They both have the same amount of books listed in the book. Both take place of about ten years. Some of the same characters are in both poems. Achilles and Odysseus are both heroes in the poems. They both like to take care of their men. They both lose someone dear to them...