Comparison of Moses and Odysseus - 1539 Words

The stories of heroes have been at the axis of nearly all cultures throughout history. Each different type of religion or culture has their own heroes or legends, each one of them having their differences to go along with the beliefs at hand. On the other hand, each and every hero also has their similarities, which therefore makes them the hero. The setting, events, and characters in each and every story may change, but the characteristics of the hero remain basically the same. Each person is usually made into a hero in a somewhat similar fashion. For example, many heroes begin as imperfect characters, and then begin some sort of quest which leads to them becoming a leader of what they are doing, and then the character goes through a†¦show more content†¦Odysseuss voyage had to be completed before saving his people, while Moses exodus and his peoples salvation were simultaneous. In either case, the journey is vital to the hero in order for him to undergo a personal transform ation into the legendary hero they became. Moses fought a Pharaoh, the desert, his own people, and himself during his long journey to the Promised Land. Odysseus also had a long journey home and while on that journey battled Poseidon, the sea, his men, and himself. Not only are the stories of The Odyssey and Exodus the similar, but the heroes, Odysseus and Moses, share many of the same attributes and behaviors. Both, despite having murderous pasts, were chosen by their God or gods to be the savior of their people. Each had a specific limitation that directly interfered with the completion of their mission. And since they were helped by God or the Greek gods along the way, Moses and Odysseus ultimately had faith that they would be successful, regardless of the obstacles ahead. Their similarities exist on a personal level as well. Both heroes had to make great sacrifices for the good of the whole. They each underwent a personal transformation as a result of the trials they faced. And each learned a lesson that they passed on as a message for their people. The heros journey is also determined by how each story originated. The Hebrews passed down MosesShow MoreRelatedVirtue Of Hospitality : Homer s Odyssey And The Holy Bible990 Words   |  4 Pagessurprise that Odysseus’ voyage home was epically arduous. Greeks were famed for establishing and following an abundance of laws. One of their most cherished laws was known as xenia. Xenia was the â€Å"unwritten law† that allowed a stranger to seek shelter in another man’s home. Because of Greece’s vast landscape, and due to their extensive journeys, Greek’s were accustomed to both residing in a stranger’s house and allowing strangers to stay in their own homes. The palaces that Odysseus’ seeks shelterRead MoreHeracles: The New Jesus Essay1280 Words   |  6 Pageshis surroundings. Genesis and The Eleventh Labor both feature some very major aspects. Both involve the male intelligent hero, innocent naà ¯ve female(s), and a serpent that complicates matters and dwells in the forbidden apple tree. The most clear comparison comes from the garden itself. Genesis places civilization to the east of the Garden of Eden, thus placing the garden itself in the west. The Garden of Hesperides is described as being on Mount Atlas, â€Å"...where the panting chariot-horses of the