Odysseus vs Gandhi Essay

A hero, a mythological or legendary figure much of divine descent endowed with great strength or king (Merriam-Webster). There are both types of heroes, heroic poem heroes and upstart heroes. Odysseus, one of the much or less famous grand heroes ever, will be compared to Mahatma Gandhi, a modern daytime hero, to see if in that location re touch onlyy is a large gap separating the devil types. However, one thing is certain, modern heroes can be identical to epic heroes if they are larger than carriage, embody the ideals of their culture, embark on a uncertain journey, and possess super-human, prominent characteristics.Epic heroes are always larger than life however, modern day heroes can achieve amazing feats too. Odysseus, an epic hero, present this through the gods interference with his affairs. Poseidon played a major role in knocking Odysseus off course (Applebee, 912). Also, he is so famous, that people all over Greece know him. For instance, the Phaeacians sung al al roughly Odysseus triumph in troy weight to Odysseus just a couple of years after it happened (Mythweb). Gandhi, my hero, achieved independence for his plain using only nonviolent protest.This is shown by the Salt March, in which he embarked on a 240 mile march, protesting about the British sodium chloride tax, which made it illegitimate to sell or build up salt, allowing a flesh out British monopoly (Thenagain). Also, he has quotes that will live on forever, such as, Where there is love there is life, You must be the change you indirect request to see in the world, and, An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind (Proverbia). These quotes are some of the or so used and repeated quotes of all time.In opposite ways, Odysseus and Gandhi are both larger than life, proving that epic heroes and modern day heroes arent very different after all. Another characteristic of epic heroes would be how they embody the ideals of their culture. In The Odyssey, Odysseus war ns Polyphemus, a giant, man-eating cyclops, that it would face Zeus wrath if he doesnt handle him nicely (Applebee, 902). This shows us how the Greeks care a lot about a healthy host-guest relationship and vice-versa. The latter is proven when Odysseus slaughters the suitors who didnt behave head at his castle in his absence (Applebee, 955-960).Also, having their lives spared, the two shepherds were rewarded for remaining fast(a) to Odysseus, proving that the Greeks admire those who are loyal (Applebee, 947-948). Gandhi, on the other hand, embodies the nonviolence of his culture. at heart a month of him simply gathering salt from a marge in Dandi, people all over India were making salt illegally, and more than 100,000 were sent to jail legion(predicate) fell victim to police violence, only when none retaliated or veritable(a) defended themselves (Herman, 99-101). In fact, as the wise Mahatma erst say, Anger is the enemy of non-violence and pride is a monster that swallows i t up.Gandhi also embodies the humbleness of his people. In fact, a man wearing Gandhis see around his neck considered Gandhi to be the sole instance of his recovery from palsy (since he recovered after uttering the Mahatmas name). Seeing this, Gandhi said, It is not I but God who made you whole. Now will you not reserve me by taking my photograph off your neck (Fischer, 288-289). This shows Gandhi doesnt conniption himself as more than another average man, an amazing trait. Embodying the values in ones culture is also another shared aspect between epic heroes and modern day heroes, narrowing the rift between the two kinds even more.An epic hero always embarks on a long risky journey. 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, Scylla and Charybdis. Polyphemus was a big threat to Odysseus and his crew because he was going to exhaust all of them, ending their journey (Applebee, 906). Also, if Hermes, the messenger god, didnt warn Odysseus about Circes powers, he would be another smelly swine on her island (Applebee, 920).Lastly, when Circe didnt warned Odysseus Odysseus that he has to hurt six men in order not to get sucked into Charybdis, a whirlpool, Odysseus may have never returned (Applebee, 930-931). Gandhi has gone on a long journey too, the journey to give his country independence. Gandhi began to judge of ways for his voice to be heard, but not to hurt anyone. He immediately had followers that united 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 mean he would stop fighting for his rights. star of Gandhis most famous protests was the Salt March from March 12 to April 5, 1930. Gandhi and thousands of Indians marched 400 k ilometers to produce their own salt. This was a major statement because any money fagged on salt that was bought in India went to Britain. After his march, thousands of people were jailed, but were afterwards freed when Gandhi and Lord Irwin negotiated a deal. Finally in 1947, India declared independence from Britain (Myhero)(Thenagain).both Gandhi and Odysseus embarked on long, perilous journeys, proving to us once again that a modern day hero can have similar experiences with an epic hero. one and only(a) trait Odysseus shared with Gandhi is leadership. Odysseus shows his leadership skills countless times in The Odyssey. One of the times it was most apparent was when he saved his men from world trapped on the isle of the Lotus-eaters All hands aboard said Odysseus, come, clear the beach and no one taste the Lotus, or you lose your hope of home (Applebee, 898).Another scene where Odysseus leadership skills shine is when he goes back to rescue his men from Circes hall. Eurylocu s tells Odysseus what has happened and begs his captain to sail outside(a) from Circes island. Against Eurylocus advice, however, Odysseus rushes to save 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 accuracy 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 embolden the faint 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 mills (Thenagain), and ultimately the independence of India.leaders skills are yet another aspect that forms the close 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 lack this quality, but instead it thrives and prospers within their souls. Odysseus exhibits his heroism on countless occasions one of them being when he worked up the courage to ask the giant cyclops Polyphemus, after seeing the petrify beast for the first time, to treat them well, lest it face the wrath of the gods. as is usage to honor strangers.We would entreat you, great Sir, have a care for the gods manners Zeus will avenge the unoffending guest (Applebee, 902). Gandhi has also shown commodious amounts of bravery during his journey an amazing feat showing this being when he started picking tiny 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 small offense which caused India to be free. Heroes, these brave beings cause great things, no ma tter what type they are.Heroes, by definition, people renowned 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 bulky difference between these two types, epic and modern? The answer is that it is pat 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 discipline of dangerous trip, and personifies the values of his/her culture.