The first known poems in the classical epic tradition were the two Homeric epics: The Iliad and The Odyssey. Although the authorship of The Iliad and The Odyssey are traditionally attributed to Homer, both poems were actually formed through the oral tradition (Beye 3). ... Even if Homer was the initial narrator of both epics, The Iliad and The Odyssey would have undergone many changes with each recitation (7). ... This is most apparent through the character Achilles in The Iliad. ... The entire epic is an allegory: each character represents a virtue and each setting represents a place. ...

• Word Count: 1343
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Homer's Odysseus, King Arthur and his knights of the round table; this storyline has been classified as heroic symbolism with the defining action being character traits. ... The concept of a hero is none other than an archetype, while the character himself, capable of producing a personality is the archetypal image. ... When the title hero is reared, almost instantly does the unconscious provide knowledge about a character we know absolutely nothing about. ... "Harry Potter," "Twilight," "Beowulf," "Hercules," Homer's "Odyssey," even the retro classic hero "Superman," follows this ex...

• Word Count: 852
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

In the epic story of the Odyssey, Odysseus the main character was subjected to various life threatening situations such as when he and his men were captured by the Cyclops and held captive in his cave. ...

• Word Count: 797
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The Iliad, followed by Odyssey are the examples of epic poetry in the early Greek literature, they "emphasized the ideals of honor and bravery and had an enormous influence on Greek culture- (Myrsiades 1997). ... Furthermore, in the Greek heroic conduct there is "the importance of each character's phusis - his nature" (UM 2002). ... The conflict does not make living easy and serves personal development, at the same time promulgating conscious changes of character. ... "The [medieval] hero represents a kind of hypermasculinity, and exaggerated and perhaps idealized version of malenes...

• Word Count: 2885
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate