Odysseus vs Gandhi Essay

A combatant, a unreal or legendary figure a wide deal of divine descent endowed with cracking strength or ability (Merriam-Webster). thither argon ii symbols of heroes, heroic poem poem heroes and forward-looking heroes. Odysseus, ane of the most famous epic heroes ever, all toldow for be comp atomic number 18d to Mahatma Gandhi, a red-brick solar day hero, to guarantee if there truly is a large gap separating the devil types. However, one thing is certain, modern heroes drive out be identical to epic heroes if they argon larger than life, embody the ideals of their culture, embark on a equivocal trip, and possess super-hu composition, braggy characteristics.Epic heroes argon al ways larger than life however, modern day heroes underside achieve nasty feats too. Odysseus, an epic hero, presend this through the gods interference with his affairs. Poseidon played a major(ip) role in whang Odysseus send off course (Applebee, 912). Also, he is so famous, that people all all over Greece sleep together him. For instance, the Phaeacians sung about Odysseus triumph in Troy to Odysseus just a duplicate of years laterwards it happened (Mythweb). Gandhi, my hero, achieved independence for his acres using only nonviolent protest.This is shown by the salt March, in which he embarked on a 240 mile inch, protesting about the British salt tax, which do it unlawful to sell or produce salt, allowing a complete British monopoly (Thenagain). Also, he has quotes that will live on forever, such as, Where there is love there is life, You mustiness be the change you wish to see in the world, and, An philia for eye only ends up making the self-coloured world blind (Proverbia). These quotes are slightly of the most used and repeated quotes of all time.In different ways, Odysseus and Gandhi are both larger than life, proving that epic heroes and modern day heroes arent very different after all. A nonher characteristic of epic heroes would be how they embody the ideals of their culture. In The Odyssey, Odysseus warns Polyphemus, a giant, man-eating cyclops, that it would compositors case Zeus wrath if he doesnt treat him nicely (Applebee, 902). This shows us how the Greeks upkeep a lot about a healthy host-guest relationship and vice-versa. The latter is proved when Odysseus slaughters the suitors who didnt behave well at his castle in his absence (Applebee, 955-960).Also, having their lives spared, the cardinal shepherds were rewarded for remaining loyal to Odysseus, proving that the Greeks admire those who are loyal (Applebee, 947-948). Gandhi, on the other hand, embodies the nonviolent resistance of his culture. Within a month of him entirely gathering salt from a brim in Dandi, people all over India were making salt illegally, and more than 100,000 were sent to jail many fell dupe to police violence, but none retaliated or scour defended themselves (Herman, 99-101). In fact, as the all-knowing Mahatma once s aid, Anger is the enemy of non-violence and presumption is a monster that swallows it up.Gandhi too embodies the humbleness of his people. In fact, a man wearing Gandhis picture near his neck considered Gandhi to be the sole grow of his recovery from paralysis (since he aged after uttering the Mahatmas name). Seeing this, Gandhi said, It is not I but God who made you whole. Now will you not conciliate me by taking my photograph off your neck (Fischer, 288-289). This shows Gandhi doesnt view himself as more than another average man, an amazing trait. Embodying the set in ones culture is also another shared aspect amid epic heroes and modern day heroes, contract the rift between the twain kinds even more.An epic hero always embarks on a long perilous expedition. The Odyssey, describes Odysseus journey home in a very detailed way. Odysseus faces many dangers on the way, including Polyphemus, a ferocious, one-eyed giant, Circe, a deceptive enchantress, and two sea monsters, S cylla and Charybdis. Polyphemus was a big curse to Odysseus and his crew be trend he was going to fine-tune all of them, ending their journey (Applebee, 906). Also, if Hermes, the messenger god, didnt warn Odysseus about Circes powers, he would be another lousy swine on her island (Applebee, 920).Lastly, when Circe didnt warned Odysseus Odysseus that he has to miss six men in high society not to get sucked into Charybdis, a whirlpool, Odysseus whitethorn have never returned (Applebee, 930-931). Gandhi has gone on a long journey too, the journey to give his country independence. Gandhi began to think of ways for his voice to be heard, but not to hurt anyone. He immediately had pursuit that joined him in his passive protests. Gandhis protests didnt always go as planned. In fact, he was imprisoned on numerous occasions, including the years 1922, 1930, 1933, and 1942.Just because he was in jail didnt squiffy he would stop fighting for his rights. one of Gandhis most famous prot ests was the brininess March from March 12 to April 5, 1930. Gandhi and thousands of Indians marched four hundred kilometers to produce their own salt. This was a major statement because any money pass on salt that was bought in India went to Britain. aft(prenominal) his march, thousands of people were jailed, but were later freed when Gandhi and noble Irwin negotiated a deal. Finally in 1947, India say independence from Britain (Myhero)(Thenagain).Both Gandhi and Odysseus embarked on long, perilous journeys, proving to us once again that a modern day hero shadower have similar experiences with an epic hero. whizz trait Odysseus shared with Gandhi is orchestrateing. Odysseus shows his leadership skills unbounded multiplication in The Odyssey. One of the times it was most apparent was when he rescue his men from being trapped on the isle of the Lotus-eaters All hands on board said Odysseus, come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you sustain your hope of hom e (Applebee, 898).Another mental picture where Odysseus leadership skills shine is when he goes lynchpin to rescue his men from Circes hall. Eurylocus tells Odysseus what has happened and begs his maestro to sail away from Circes island. Against Eurylocus advice, however, Odysseus rushes to make unnecessary his men from the enchantress (Applebee, 920). Gandhis leadership skills were the sole reason for Indias independence. On March 12, 1930, Gandhi and 78 male activists of truth and resolution (satyagrahis) started their 23-day-long journey.To each village they passed, Gandhi gave a speech, and more men joined the march each time (Thenagain). This shows Gandhi was able to lead one of the most influential nonviolent protests India has ever seen with ease, using his speaking skills to uphold the shy into joining the resistance. It was he, Mahatma Gandhi, who led the Salt March. That march began a series of protests that resulted in the closing of many British shops and mill abo ut (Thenagain), and ultimately the independence of India.Leadership skills are yet another aspect that forms the next resemblance of the two heroic types, epic and modern. Bravery, the classic heroic quality, is what separates heroes from average men. Odysseus and Gandhi, both being heroes, do not privation this quality, but instead it thrives and prospers within their souls. Odysseus exhibits his resolutionousness on countless occasions one of them being when he worked up the braveness to ask the giant cyclops Polyphemus, after seeing the petrifying beast for the foremost time, to treat them well, lest it face the wrath of the gods. as is custom to honor strangers.We would entreat you, great Sir, have a care for the gods politeness Zeus will avenge the unoffending guest (Applebee, 902). Gandhi has also shown ample amounts of gallantry during his journey an amazing feat presentation this being when he started picking flyspeck lumps of salt in Dandi after his march (), an illegal act. This simple action, this minor crime, this is the pebble that started the rockslide, the scurvy offense which caused India to be free. Heroes, these brave beings cause great things, no matter what type they are.Heroes, by definition, people noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life (Thefreedictionary), are classified into two types. Is there a vast difference between these two types, epic and modern? The answer is that it is glib for a modern hero to be thought of as an epic hero if he/she has defining, distinctive traits, is larger than life, goes on some sort of dangerous trip, and personifies the values of his/her culture.