During the rule of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus, a man by the name of Publius Vergilius Maro (known as Virgil in English) wrote one of the most widely read epic poems. ... Parallels can be seen in the shield descriptions of the two classic epic poems. ... This makes Aeneid characteristically Virgilian. ... Therefore, the shield seems to be addressing the present state of the epic poem. ... By analyzing the shield scenes of the two epic poems, the Iliad and the Aeneid, many similarities as well as differences can be distinguished. ...

• Word Count: 806
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Homer's epic poem The Odyssey was written after his Iliad which told the tales of the Trojan War. ... Incorporated into The Odyssey are many current-day characteristics of man including a constant dependence on others, the presence of a greater vision, or lack there of, and the essence of a sensitive side behind courage and pride. ... Athena reassured Odysseus throughout the epic poem saying "I am a god and will protect you to the end, through all your toils" (196). ...

• Word Count: 396
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Homer's epic poem The Odyssey was written after his Iliad which told the tales of the Trojan War. ... Incorporated into The Odyssey are many current-day characteristics of man including a constant dependence on others, the presence of a greater vision, or lack there of, and the essence of a sensitive side behind courage and pride. ... Athena reassured Odysseus throughout the epic poem saying "I am a god and will protect you to the end, through all your toils" (196). ...

• Word Count: 396
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

It's true that Aeneas' wanderings in the beginning of the poem are reminiscent of the same perils that Odysseus faced on his journey home to Ithaca, such as Aeneas' encounter with the Harpies (3:245) and the Cyclopes (3:760). ... At first all of these similarities may appear to be a poorly veiled appropriation of Homer's epics, but that is far from the actual purpose of Virgil's epic. ... However, as Anchises describes "the glory that awaits the Trojan race," (6:896) it becomes clear that this poem is anything but a piracy of Homer's epic. ... A charact...

• Word Count: 707
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"The Iliad" (sometimes referred to as the Song of Ilion or Song of Ilium) is an ancient Greek epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. ... Virgil took the disconnected tales of Aeneas' wanderings, his vague association with the foundation of Rome and a personage of no fixed characteristics other than a scrupulous piety, and fashioned this into a compelling founding myth or national epic that at once tied Rome to the legends of Troy, explained the Punic wars, glorified traditional Roman virtues and legitimized the Julio-Claudian dynasty as desce...

• Word Count: 8864
• Approx Pages: 35
• Grade Level: High School

The Greeks in consider Homer's two epics as the highest cultural achievement of their people, the defining moment in Greek culture, which set the basic Greek character in stone. ... One of the characteristics of a good story, now as then, is that the audience must be captivated. ... He composed the Odyssey and the Iliad in long lines of six beats each called Dactylic Hexameter, which the ancients thought suited the formality of epic poetry. ... In oral-formulaic traditions, generations of poet performers develop a special poetic language that consists of a number of musical phrases and...

• Word Count: 552
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The Iliad The Iliad by Homer is an epic poem that has several heroes. ... The epic poem, the Iliad, is filled with many great warriors, but the most notable hero is Hector, with Odysseus, Diomedes, and Nestor as runners up. ... Throughout the poem, Hector displays physical prowess, bravery, strength, and glory in battle, which makes him the true hero of the Iliad. Although Odysseus, Nestor, and Diomedes do not display heroic qualities to the same extent that Hector does, they clearly display many characteristics that constitute a hero....

• Word Count: 1707
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

Throughout Homer's epic, the Odyssey, Poseidon is often characterized as a destructive and cruel deity. ... Early in the poem, Telémakhos demonstrates this axiom by responding to Athena's questioning about his father, "My mother says I am his son; I know not surely. ... More specifically, throughout the poem, sons' identifiable character traits are frequently portrayed as being derivative of the more general tendencies of the father. For example, throughout the poem, Odysseus is described as "the strategist- (p.87), "the great tactician- (p.280) and "that wily man- (p.337...

• Word Count: 1071
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

It combines the horridness of war into an epic poem filled with art, illustrious descriptions, and a myriad of wonderful literary images. ... The poem begins with the poet calling on the Muse to sing of the wrath of Achiles and its consequence. ... At the first thought or reading, the main theme of this epic poem seems like the description of gruesomeness of war in that it tells us of the Trojan war in full detail. ... Achilles embodies the characteristics of the Homeric Hero, particularly in his apparent lack of character and control and his lust for fame. ... Another man in this poem resemb...

• Word Count: 2208
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

" During Homer's epic poem, Odysseus and Telemachus demonstrate courage when faced with a multitude of antagonists, such as Cyclops, and the suitors. ... Furthermore, they possess noble characteristics. ... Despite their moments of weakness, Odysseus and Telemachus both demonstrate parallel heroism through their acts of courage, noble characteristics and outstanding achievements during their respective journeys. ... Despite their moments of weakness and in part because of the involvement of the gods, Odysseus and Telemachus will rebound from weakness to satisfy the requisite charac...

• Word Count: 1193
• Approx Pages: 5

Virgil condones war for the sake of his patron, Augustus Caesar, whose recent victory at Actium, three years before the creation of Virgil's epic, had quelled the rebellion of the Roman commander Marcus Antonius. ... " Aeneas cannot be portrayed as fully condoning war as warmongering is the chief characteristic of Turnus. ... But, in one of a few areas of the poem that lacks consistency (Virgil never lived to fully complete his epic), Juno declares that she wishes to "quit these battles which I so detest.... However, strength in war is a defining characteristic for Virgil's...

• Word Count: 2231
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: Undergraduate