Over 2,500 years ago Homer, a Greek prophet, orally presented the Iliad and the Odyssey. These two poems were the first to ever be recorded; therefore, they are extremely well-known and continue to be held as models for all epics. The Iliad and the Odyssey depict the many adventures and hardships of heroes, whether aided or hindered by the gods and goddesses from the Greek culture (E.H. 21). Homer ingeniously portrays each of his heroes with their own unique personality, which adds more to the plot of his poems. Two Greek heroes, Achilles and Odysseus, who both contributed to the success of the Greeks, are perfect examples of these differences in character. Although Achilles and Odysseus are both notorious Greek warriors, there is a very evident distinction between each man temperament and ethics. .
The actions of Achilles and Odysseus throughout the epics show apparent differences in each man temperament. Achilles, son of King Peleus and the sea goddess Thetis and leader of the Myrmidons, portrays a more impulsive nature that is evident when he gets into an argument with Agamemnon over Briseis, the war prize (WL 235). When Agamemnon takes Briseis away from Achilles, he is quick to warn Agamemnon that he would pay dearly for the deed (E.H. 184). During their argument, he boasts that ".so truly a time shall come when Achilles will be missed by the nation one and all" and he later claims to Agamemnon "Then you shall tear your temper to tatters that you would not respect the best man of all." These quotes show Achilles rash side because he does not think before he speaks. They also illustrate that with his position as leader of the Myrmidon Unit, he has a great deal of arrogance. Achilles openly boasts about being the best man that others will some day miss. With Achilles' egotism, he is less likely to be highly respected by other people and the gods. His impulsive, hotheaded personality causes him to be more inclined to stumble into conflict.
