... army. The great tactician speaks with intelligence just as he acts with intelligence. This suggests that Odysseus' words are directly related to and explain his actions throughout the poem. The combination of both his words and actions are what makes him an incredible warrior. In Book 10, Odysseus is persuading the men to take initiative and begin their raid on the Trojans while there ... best and smartest warriors that the Achaeans have. He uses both his wise speech and wise deeds for the benefit of his army, which suggests that he cares deeply for the Achaean's well being. The epic po...

• Word Count: 885
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... as Vergil condemns Mezentius in 7.648 as a "contemptor divum". This fateful passage truly illustrates Vergil's use of Mezentius as a forerunner to the destiny of Turnus as he must meet and fall before Aeneas. As a particularly poignant moment in the poem Vergil employs Homeric allusion for the sake of adding striking detail to the scene. The first line uses a chiastic arrangement in "densos alacer Mezentius ... hostis"; Vergil depicts Mezentius with no less that the raging fury associated with Turnus. The word "alacer" brings to the surface a shining example of epic characterization, th...

• Word Count: 1002
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... qualities, great personal power, and loyalty, they both share the same tragic flaw: overweening pride and immaturity. As Gilgamesh and Achilles take on this journey of life, they learn a lesson from their pride and mature heroically. When we first meet Gilgamesh, the epic's title character, he possesses beauty, strength, ... selfishness in thinking that the gods should castigate an entire army just for his self-esteem. Achilles then goes and tries to convince the rest of the Greek army to sail home and abandon the war with him. He no longer is crying like a child, but being rebellious a...

• Word Count: 1028
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School