Comparison of Moses and Odysseus Essay

The stories of protagonistes curb been at the axis of nearly every last(predicate) refinements by means of out(p) history. Each different type of religion or cultivation has their own superstares or legends, each matchless 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 consequently makes them the hero. The setting, events, and characters in each and every story may change, but the characteristics of the hero remain basic all told(a)y the corresponding. Each person is usually make into a hero in a somewhat similar fashion. For example, m each heroes drive as im hone characters, and then begin some sort of seeking which leads to them becoming a leader of what they atomic number 18 doing, and then the character goes finished a in-person transformation into a legendary hero of their tidy sum.Therefore, some(prenominal) Odysseus of the Greeks and Moses of the Jewish can bo th(prenominal) be considered as heroes to their people. In both cases, the person does not decide to be a hero, but they atomic number 18 instead chosen by a greater force, such as a god, to become the one. Both Moses and Odysseus perform three similar tasks. These argon for the person to fulfill a destiny handed cut out to them by a greater power, undertake a transit where great sacrifices are made on his part to overcome difficult obstacles, and finally be intimate their legacy through the sharing of their stories for the greater good of the people that accept in the hero. Both Moses and Odysseus can be compared in that neither were perfect heroes, they both experienced some sort of quest, and they both experienced individual(prenominal) limitations along with a transformation.The major differences between Odysseus and Moses are mostly relative. They both share practically the same qualities. They are universal heroes who could exist in any culture, context or time. Just li ke Odysseus and Moses, many an(prenominal) heroes are made from the same qualities and have similar stories about how they came to be heroes. As a young man, Moses murdered an Egyptian who was harassing a Jew. A delivery boy who kills someone seems contradictory, but the action served as a metaphor for Moses button of the Jews from Egypt. Odysseus had a habit of raping, burning and looting villages, which is hardly appropriate extradite for someone who is supposed to bring peace to a civilization.However, his cunning turn up useful in both defeating monsters and killing the suitors that had taken over his palace. The domain that each hero was and device of perfection or the Greek gods was in-chief(postnominal) in both cultures. Moses was picked by God to be the one who would disengage the Jews and take them across the desert and into the Promised Land. He spoke directly with God in the burning bush and through various angels. Information was devoted to Moses from God w hen instruction was needed. Similarly, genus Athene visited Odysseus frequently with Zeus consent through different disguises to help him along his move around.Though Greek and Hebrew culture varies, their heroes are considerably similar. Both Odysseus and Moses could represent model heroes in any culture at any time. But these universal heroes are not perfect as nobody on Earth is. Many heroes do something of questioncapable moral action at some point in their early life. As mentioned earlier, Odysseus was constant to raping, burning and pillaging villages, and continually had personal matters though his wife Penelope always remained assentful. As also stated earlier, when Moses was young, he killed an Egyptian who was harassing a Jew.But these actions do not set aside they hero, they are instead necessary for the development of his character. Moses spoke directly with the entitle and was given specific instructions to embrace his destiny. He did not direct to lead the Hebre ws out of Egypt, but God chose that destiny for him. Faced with many different challenges of his own, Odysseus also received a divine message, but it was from the goddess, Athena. The free radical of world chosen by a higher power is a recurring theme that is seen in most hero stories of every culture.No matter when or where these heroes were destined for greatness, they each were a part of a quest or journey where they had to overcome many obstacles, trials, and tribulations. Odysseuss pilot 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 transformation 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 kin and while on that journey battled Poseidon, the sea, his men, and himself. non sole(prenominal) a re 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 religion that they would be successful, regardless of the obstacles ahead. Their similarities exist on a personal take 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 well-read 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 Moses and the Exodus orally, in the form of a linear story with a beginning, middle and end. Moses li near journey took the Jews out of Egypt, through the desert and to the Promised Land. In contrast, Homers poetic writing of the Odyssey is circular in that the ending is a new beginning. It begins and ends in Odysseus palace in Ithaca. Like the story, his journey digest base is a circular one.In spite of all the divine intervention, Moses and Odysseus both had to overcome a personal limitation in order to become successful in their endeavors. The limitation itself was directly in contrast with their main task at hand. Moses was given the job of spokesman for all Jews, yet had poor public speaking skills. O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue (Exodus 410). Odysseus was sent home to save his people from a civil war, but his lust for success and adventure took him on many detours and prolonged his eminent return. Both were able to rise above these limitations.Perhaps the most divided attrib ute these heroes had been their faith that they would make it through the journey and complete their mission. Moses struggled with the Egyptians, the desert, God, his people and himself yet til now believed that he would accomplish his goals set for him. Odysseus lost all his men, more than one ship, and continually battled monsters, weather, and captors but still succeeded due to his faith in Athenas word that he would persevere.The way the hero acts towards outside events only tells half the story but the thoughts in his mind and soul makes up the rest. Odysseus and Moses both had to make sacrifices for the good of their people and both experienced a personal transformation during their quest for significance. The transformation of Moses was found in his leave out of public speaking, which held him back from fully becoming a leader of the people. As he confronted the Pharaoh and commanded the Hebrew people, he eventually gained confidence in himself and his ability. Moses went f rom being a timid servant to an authoritative leader of a democracy of God. He was responsible for constructing the ways of their new civilization. Likewise, Odysseus transformed from a agile adventurer to dependable husband and king. Both experienced an epic journey that altered them from within.In conclusion, both Odysseus of the Greeks and Moses of the Hebrews can be compared because they perform three similar tasks to fulfill a destiny handed down by divine inspiration, undertake a journey where great sacrifices are made on his part to overcome difficult obstacles like Odysseus traveling home after the Trojan War or Moses Leading his people out of Egypt, and finally, the mission is not complete until the message learned throughout is shared for the greater good of the people whom the hero represents.Neither Odysseus nor Moses was perfect, but they both experienced some sort of quest and overcame personal limitations, which led to their personal transformation into heroes. Beca use of all the parallels between Odysseus and Moses, there is not much bewilderment that they both exemplified the same message. Even though the messengers were different, whether it was Athena, a burning bush, or angels sent by God, the message is still the same listen to and chase the words of ones God/gods. This is the message they both brought back for their people to live by and led to their legacy as heroes of their culture.