ipl-logo

Comparing The Odyssey And The Martian

1003 Words5 Pages

Brilliant stories require an even more brilliant hero, they could be relatable and humorous, or maybe even serious and jaded. The great adventures that display these impressive characters also cover their strengths and weaknesses and overall likeability. The classic Epic The Odyssey, written by Homer in the 8th century BC and translated by Robert Fagles, and the space-movie The Martian, written by Andy Weir in 2011 and Directed by Ridley Scott, are both excellent examples of tales with impressive protagonists. Both epic stories exhibit a protagonist persevering through an abyss and being resourceful, but Mark Watney is far more likable then Odysseus, because he is always humorous.

In both great adventures the protagonist overcomes an …show more content…

During The Odyssey, Odysseus is captured by the cyclops Polyphemus, in order to escape he must wound Polyphemus with a weapon so as not to kill him, but let him leave unharmed. The plan “That struck [his] mind best” was to take the giant’s club, sharpen it, then heat the massive weapon to use to blind Polyphemus. (Fagles 9.356) The monster had thought ahead and placed a elephantine boulder in the cave’s mouth to prevent anyone from escaping. Figuring to blind the cyclops was a stroke of genius as it would’ve been impossible to get by with him able to see them. Unlike Odysseus, Mark Watney doesn’t have to deal with monsters, but he does have to be resourceful to survive on the inhospitable planet he has been abandoned on. Without enough provisions to last him till he could leave, Mark Watney builds a place that Mars soil might be fertile enough for potatoes: sowing, planting and watering his crops he successfully grows enough food to survive. (The Martian) Watney was close to starving; If he didn’t find a food source soon he would perish, his solution was to try to grow his own. Either of these tales of trials in dire situations could have lead to death for our heroes but thanks to their resourcefulness and wit they may live another

Show More
Related

  • Examples Of Brawn In The Odyssey

    216 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the myth, The Odyssey, the hero Odysseus fights a cyclops named Polyphemius. During their battle, the hero's men were eaten by the cyclopes, and Odysseus uses the cyclop's bad eyesight to his advanage. Odysseus also mocks Polymethius by tricking the cyclops into thinking Odysseus's name was "Nobody." To escape the cave the cyclops trapped him in, he climbs on a sheep's underside and sneeks his way out of the cave.

    Read More

  • Star Wars And The Odyssey Comparison Essay

    456 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many people have heard of Star Wars, and The Odyssey, but have they ever thought about how the two are related? The Odyssey an epic poem written by Homer and the scientific movie Star Wars directed by George Lucas, have countless times when the two share things in common. In Star Wars the main character Luke Skywalker meets a mentor, two sidekicks, and comes from an unknown background. In The Odyssey the main character Odysseus meets his mentor, sidekick, and comes from an unknown background. These two items have many similarities and many different, but here are a few of the similarities.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Shrek Vs Odyssey

    265 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shrek is a bad-tempered, green, and ugly ogre who lives happily in his own swamp. Until the day that the great Lord farquaad banished all sorts of fairy tale creatures to invade and live in his swamp. When Shrek wants his peaceful home back to himself, he and his sidekick, Donkey, make their way to the castle to speak to Lord farquaad about getting his swamp back. Lord Farquaad refuses to remove the creatures unless Shrek and Donkey do him a favor. The favor is that they rescue Princess Fiona from a castle guarded by a dragon and bring her back to the Lord.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Guile In The Odyssey

    858 Words  | 4 Pages

    He and his men wander inside disregarding the laws of Xenia as custom in the area. The Cyclops’ is a savage beast and proceeds to trap them within his cave and devour them. Odysseus uses his incredible guile and cleverness to outsmart the beast. He first gets the Cyclops’ extremely intoxicated with wine so that it passes out. He then gouges its’ single eye out so that it cannot see where he and his men are hiding.

    Read More

  • Essay Comparing The Odyssey And Sundiata

    447 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sundiata and The Odyssey are two out of the many great great orally told tales in all of mankind history. In writing, comparing your work to another similar text is extremely important for making your paper understandable to any audience. In this case, I will be comparing the two similar texts, The Odyssey and Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. Both of these two tables show the characters, Sundiata and Odysseus, long quests of pursuing and accomplishing a certain objective. To reach their goal, both characters encounter obstacles and enemies who want to stop them on their prolonged journey.

    Read More

  • Sympathy In The Odyssey

    298 Words  | 2 Pages

    After getting Polyphemus drunk, Odysseus explains what his crew did to inflict pain onto the Cyclops, “I drew it from the coals and my four fellows/gave me a hand, lugging it near the Cyclops/as more than natural force nerved them; straight/forward they sprinted, lifted it, and rammed it/deep in his crater eye” (374-378).  Odysseus thought that shoving a colossal plank into Polyphemus’ eye could not suffice the task, so he ignited it in flames to create more affliction.  Not only did the Cyclops get drunk, but got blinded with a plank, the pity for Polyphemus was created.  While the Cyclops bellows in pain, Odysseus illustrates the incident, “Eyelid and lash were seared; the pierced ball/hissed broiling, and the roots popped” (383-384).  

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Odyssey 'And O Brother Where Art Thou?'

    472 Words  | 2 Pages

    “O Brother Where Art Thou?” is a comedy, adventure film produced in 2000. Many of the scenes in this film are based off the Odyssey, which is an epic poem by Homer. It is based on a true hero’s journey back home. There are many correlations and yet differences between the Odyssey and the film. Although the overall plot of “O Brother Where Art Thou?” is vaguely similar to the Odyssey, there are certain “episodes” that closely mirror the film’s classical influence.

    Read More

  • Brief Summary Of The Cyclops In Homer's Odyssey

    922 Words  | 4 Pages

    He gave Polyphemus liquor, making him drunk, and shoved a massive makeshift spear into his the cyclops’ only eye. Polyphemus immediately moved the stone, but then blocked the entrance with

    Read More

  • Similarities Between The Odyssey And O Brother Where Art Thou

    1248 Words  | 5 Pages

    The story Odyssey and O Brother, Where Art Thou have a lot of connections to our life just like how Odysseus was on a journey to get home and Everett was on a journey to get the treasure, we all have roadblocks and fears we have to pass. In the text, The Odyssey was written by Homer and the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen both authors deal with the main idea loyalty. Both stories have loyalty as the theme because in the Odyssey Odysseus wife was loyal to him for 20 years while he was gone.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between O Brother Where Art Thou And The Odyssey

    862 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are many themes in both O Brother where Art Thou and the Odyssey which seem to be strongly similar. Many similarities between the characters and their actions surface through their actions. In my essay I will not only compare and contrast the most important elements of the mentioned works, but will also discuss the importance of heroic figures and the less favored themes, such as revenge and foolish fearlessness. It is important to note that both works are taken place during hard times. Odysseus’ journey is dated around 1200 BCE, or the ‘Dark Age’.

    Read More

  • Essay On Odysseus Is An Epic Hero

    726 Words  | 3 Pages

    If you were to think about a man with great abilities like being strong, courageous and intelligent, you could think of people you personally or like me, you could think of someone such as Odysseus. Odysseus fits the definition of an epic hero because he is quick thinking, strong and courageous. Odysseus is one quick thinking individual. He has gotten him and his crew out some some sticky situations with his clever plans. One of these plans were how to get away from Polyphemus, a cyclops who was the son of Poseidon.

    Read More

  • The Odyssey: A Comparison Of The Hero's Hero

    1072 Words  | 5 Pages

    The Odyssey is often cited as an epitome of the hero’s journey and the monomyth. The hero of the story, Odysseus is on a 10 year battle homeward from the Trojan War to see his wife and son again. With the help divine intervention, Odysseus is able to return home and save his wife from the evil suitors who have continuously tried to win her. One could easily argued that Odysseus is an exemplar of the hero, but there is another story: Odysseus is the opposite of a hero and is not worthy to be called such. He is the villain where the gods are the hero.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Odyssey And Aeneid

    520 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ghost figures in literature are usually metaphors for the past. In some cases their presence is not meant to haunt or terrify, but rather remind living characters of certain events or feelings, thus creating a link between the living and the dead. This link can provide insight for the living character. In both Homer’s, Odyssey and Vergil’s, Aeneid, the main characters are confronted by the ghost of people from their past. It is in these appearances were both, Odysseus and Aeneas, hear from their deceased loved ones and their contrasting views toward death.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Odyssey And Agamemnon

    1119 Words  | 5 Pages

    The story of the death of Agamemnon is told in both the Homeric epic Odyssey and in Aeschylus’ tragic trilogy the Oresteia. Although the basic plot remains the same, differences in presentation, emphasis, and details show how myth is fluid and can be adapted to suit a particular author, performance, and audience. This myth serves in the Odyssey as an example of failed nostos caused by the breakdown of the hero’s household, and so it provides a foil for the successful return home of the epic hero Odysseus to his intact household. On the other hand, in the Oresteia, the myth illustrates the overarching theme of the nature of justice. Here the death of Agamemnon both illustrates the curse on his household and also provides the necessary background for Orestes’ important role in the transformation of justice from oikos-based revenge to polis-based trial by jury.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast The Odyssey And Dante's Inferno

    989 Words  | 4 Pages

    Literary Analysis: The Odyssey and Dante’s Inferno Name: Course: Institution: Instructor: Date: Themes are fundamental and universal ideas that are explored in literary works. The epics of The Inferno by Dante and The Odyssey by Homer are two different stories with themes that that have some similarities while others have distinction. In The Odyssey, the central point is Odysseus struggling to go back home.

    Read More

More about Comparing The Odyssey And The Martian

Open Document