If there is any possibility that a comparison could be made with the famous journeys of Odysseus and Aeneas, it must be known that Aeneas is actually a hero in search of his own soul while Odysseus is a hero trying to find his old life and in a sense, The Aeneid is very much of a spiritual quest, which makes it unique inancient literature and in contrast with the Odyssey. Only Virgil admits to the possibilitythat a character can change, grow, and develop. In the storys earlier stages, the characterof Aeneas is obviously unsure of himself, always seeking instructions from his father orfrom the gods before committing himself to any course of action. In the underworld hesees a perspective of the future history of Rome down to the time of Augustus, and thatvision gives him the self-confidence to act on his own initiative. Comparatively, Odysseusis driven though his journey beginning with apparent self-confidence and continuing with avengeful vigor.While reviewing the myths fantastic journey, I wondered if Aeneas was greatbecause his fate made him great or was he great because he had the courage anddetermination to live up to the role fate handed him? There is a side to Aeneas, I noticedthat is not very impressive, even when I could almost understand why he feels the way hedoes. He is sad, tired, always waiting for his father or the gods to tell him what to do. But Aeneas always fulfills his duty to his family, to his country, and to the gods, evenwhen he is depressed. He is never selfish. He always puts his responsibility to others first. In that way, his actions throughout his journey to the underworld were somewhat differentthat Odysseus.In Aeneas case, he too was as great of a survivor as Odysseus. In fact, he at leastmatches him in the way that he is one of those people who can lose everything and stillstart all over again. Aeneas goes from being a victim of the Greeks at Troy to becoming aconqueror in Italy. Virgils Aene...
