Preview

Compare and contrast Joseph fomr the Bible, and Homer from the Odyssey

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
556 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Compare and contrast Joseph fomr the Bible, and Homer from the Odyssey
There are two great heroes from history, one from the bible, and one from Homer's book The Odyssey. They both relied on a higher power to give them the abilities to do many things. More specifically they relied on the higher powers to confront family members that they have been separated from for many years. They also had to do something for the good of their families. Both men had a point in their lives that they had to reveal their true identity to their family, but each situation is very different. Both men were considered heroes, but for two very different things.

When it came time for Joseph to reveal himself to his brothers while they were in Egypt it was not any physical strength that enabled him to do so, but instead God was able to give Joseph the inner strength to let his brothers know who he really was. Odysseus also had to reveal himself to a family member, his son Telemakhos. He was given his ability to show himself with a transformation of his physical body. He first met up with his son after about nineteen years in the form of an old beggar. This made it so that Odysseus could wait until the time was right to show himself to his son.

Both Odysseus and Joseph had to show themselves to their family members after many years, but there was one big difference in the situations. Joseph had to show himself to his brothers whom he had seen before in his adult years, and they had seen him. So when it came time for him to show himself it was not as hard for the brothers to believe. They had an idea of what he looked like. Joseph had taken on more of an Egyptian look to himself with the tanned skin, and clothing, but the facial features that made him who he was had not changed. Odysseus had to show himself to his son who he had left as a baby to go to the war. Telemakhos had never seen his father at an age where he would be able to recognize him again. This meant that Telemakhos only had faith to rely on to believe that it really was his father that was in

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The Odyssey and O Brother Where Art Thou?, are very similar in describing what the society consisted of. They are many society groups and individuals that represent and characterise the Ancient Greek Mythology. These both stories describe men in search of a treasure and all the obstacles they have to comfort in able to obtain it. In The Odyssey and O Brother Where Art Thou? were written in a different era, but they both illustrate the Ancient Greek Mythology. Many would say that The Odyssey and O Brother Where Art Thou? are very different, however they both share the same concept just written in a different period of time.…

    • 415 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A smile came across Odysseus’ face, and he spoke to Telemachus: “Please relax, for your mother may test me as she pleases. She will very quickly realize that I am Odysseus, and that these worn-out clothes and my dirt smudged face is only but a disguise. For you to see me as who I used to be, I must be bathed and freshly…

    • 1317 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In many stories, it is obvious that some heroes face more difficult challenges than others. In the book “Mythology” by Edith Hamilton, Odysseus has a more difficult time being the hero than Theseus. Although Theseus and Odysseus have difficult time being the hero, Theseus practically displays the life of a hero as somewhat simple. During the myths “Theseus” and “The Adventures of Odysseus”, the protagonists show that the life of a hero is difficult because one must be determined and never give up. Theseus and Odysseus also demonstrate that to be a hero, one must be willing to risk everything. In the book “Mythology”, Edith Hamilton proves that it is difficult to be a hero.…

    • 1053 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Disney Hero's Journey

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In ancient Greece and Rome, a hero was set apart by their strength and their achievements, which far surpassed ordinary mortals. These heroes were demi-gods of half-mortal, half-divine percentage. In order to be seen as a true hero, he followed what they called the ‘hero pattern’, beginning with his origin, followed by his journey. His journey is then divided into 3 distinct parts; separation or departure, penetration of the power source, and finally the return or reintegration. Today, we don’t have such high expectations. Our heroes don’t have to follow any extensive ‘hero pattern’, as long as he is simply a man of perfection; courageous, intelligent, selfless, handsome, etc. When comparing the stories of our Greek heroes traditionally versus…

    • 683 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    After hastefully evicting the wrath of the Cyclops monster, Odysseus revealed his identity to him to fulfil his pride and ego, which subsequently endangered himself and his crew’s voyage due to being cursed. This shows…

    • 327 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Odysseus had to fight off the suitors from his wife Penelope, and reclaim the throne. Odysseus being gone for ten years and coming back to reclaim the throne without hesitation shows the compassion that the people have for Odysseus. Telemachus passes down the throne to his father. Odysseus at this time was disguised as an old man so the suitors didn’t know who he was. Penelope told the suitors who ever could string the Bowe and shoot through all twelve the axes would be the king of Ithaca. Odysseus disguised as an old man, had godly strength and strung the Bowe with ease then shot through all twelve axes first try.…

    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A hero, in society’s eyes, possesses supernatural powers and demonstrates his justification of good and evil. But what really makes a hero? The Greeks had a well-specified idea of what attributes a hero needs. In the epic poem, The Odyssey, Homer provides insight in the Ancient Greek civilization’s concept of a hero as one who possesses bravery and intelligence, yet also flaws.…

    • 834 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Odysseus: A War Hero

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In today’s society many things can be considered as heroic. In the epic poem, The Iliad and the Odyssey by legendary Greek author, Homer. The main character is a war hero named Odysseus is very intelligent and really strong but is also portrayed as arrogant and at times a horrible leader at times but he is still a war hero nonetheless. But the times have changed, the men who fight in war are no longer worshipped how they were in the ancient times. So with that being said, Odysseus would not be considered a hero today.…

    • 462 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    What makes a hero a hero? The ancient poem The Odyssey, written by the epic poet Homer, tells the story of a man by the name of Odysseus and his travels home to Ithaca after being at war in the Battle of Troy for nine years. Odysseus encounters many challenges and obstacles through the many adventures that he faces on his way home. His challenge concluding the story is of finding a way to rid the suitors that pillage his kingdom in order to retrieve his position back as lord and husband to his wife, Penelope. As Odysseus went on many adventures, he displayed the qualities of cleverness, bravery, and vengeance.…

    • 949 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Odysseus Hero Definition

    • 911 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Maya Angelou, an author, poet, and a civil rights activist once said: “I think a hero is any person really intend on making this a better place for all people.” But seeing as this poet says “any person,” that person can be of human or even superhuman characteristics so long as their deed is right. In this case, in Robert Fagel’s translation of The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus is a king longing to return home after numerous years of war. Of his tales, there are points of hardship and times where he is greatly dignified. He displays acts of heroism even having exposed sides of him that are both weak and of great strengths. Do these man’s actions in these states of being human or superhuman really impact what defines him as a hero?…

    • 911 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Superheroes have become increasingly popular in recent times and most people have their favorite from Superman to Batman to the Avengers. Not all heroes have to be superheroes with superpowers. Many people can identify heroes in their everyday life as well. Heroes can be someone that helps a person, for example many people consider their parents to be heroes because of the support they provide them in life. The difference between a superhero and a hero is that heroes are normal people just trying to be there for others while superheroes are made up characters in a book or movie with extraordinary powers. Mistakes are part of everyone’s life, but the difference between a normal person and a hero is that when a hero makes a mistake they work to fix it or overcome the problem. In the book the Odyssey, there are many problems and obstacles that Odysseus has to overcome in his attempt to get home. Odysseus has many traits that make him a hero, for example he is both physically and mentally strong. His…

    • 932 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Odysseus An Epic Hero

    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Not every hero can lift cars or fly, some are heros for a much smaller reason. Odysseus is a epic hero because he went on a large journey and was a leader to his crew. Unlike Odysseus singer Taylor Swift is considered a hero since lots of people look up to her with the fame she has and the songs she writes about. Although they are both considered heros they have different reasons why they are considered to be one (a hero). There are many heroes that are all considered heroes but a different reason for why they are “heroes”. In the Odyssey Odysseus goes on a long journey along with his crew of men who battle with monsters and other civilians from different cities. They fight a cyclops by stabbing a large stick into his eye after he (the cyclops)…

    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Heroes are the game changers in society, who create the misfortune and accomplishment through their efforts. Throughout time, heroes have been represented in a variety of different ways. The Canterbury Tales and the Odyssey both portray their heroes far different than the other. In addition, heroes from the fifteenth century may be considered villains in today’s society. In conclusion, heroes are viewed in different ways because of perspective, the time period, and their self morals.…

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In addition to being selfless, heroes are also brave. In “The Odyssey,” Odysseus shows bravery by stabbing the Cyclopes’ eye and in “An…

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Essay On Heroic Mythology

    • 1479 Words
    • 6 Pages

    What makes a hero? Saving someone’s life perhaps, or is it just being noble and caring for the poor like Robin Hood did. Most people who don’t actually take the time to read about or study mythology believe that a hero in mythology is a god or a supernatural most of the time. But that is not the case. There are some that can be called a demigod, these are ones that even though half god are also mostly human. A demigod could have different meaning, one being as previously mentioned, which is a being with partial or lesser divine status such as a minor deity, the offspring of a god and a mortal but it can also mean a man who is greatly admired or respected which is what both of my heroic mythology figures have had.…

    • 1479 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays