English literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

English literature - Essay Example The two heroes fought in opposing sides during the Trojan wars and their encounters are accounted in odyssey and Aeneid respectively. Odysseus ruled Ithaca and he is regarded as one of the greatest kings and hero of his time. On the other hand, Aeneas was a warrior from Troy who had a Roman/Italian heritage. The two characters share many similarities in their upbringing and attitude towards nobility. Born in noble families, the two heroes chose to defy some norms associated with their social class. However, they were both religious and true to their calling and social status. Certainly, Odysseus and Aerneas had different social status and commanded different forms of respect from their followers and fellow citizens. The two characters reveal how the Romans and Greek valued brevity and war heroes. Indeed, the two characters gained their status from two different events/wars that are rather similar. Odysseus earned his title from a brave idea that led to victory during the battle of th e Trojans. During this episode, Odysseus plan and execute a heroic move by sending alcohol to Greek soldiers. After the Greeks were drunk and asleep, Odysseus and his men descended on them slaughtering them all. Similarly, Aeneas gave motivational talks to the Trojans before they went into the battlefield. Certainly, Odysseus and arenas had a different perspective and obligations to the republic. Aerneas believed that each Roman citizen had a duty and a responsibility towards the state. According to his thinking, every Roman citizen had to remain pious and royal to the Roman race. The character upheld the two virtues and, he believed that the virtues had attached costs and rewards. Aerneas also complied with the will of the gods. He believed that they were the custodians of human destiny and his sole counsel. This is the main difference between the Greek’s outlook toward mortality and personal conduct. In the course of his mission, Aerneas gains and command respect from the p eople leading to the creation of the Roman Empire. The Arneoid depicts that Aerneas sacrificed worldly pleasures for the sake of the Republic. For example, he failed to engage in sexual pleasure with women as other worriers did. According to him, the act was holly and it was meant for procreation rather than for pleasure. This basic virtue was to be included in the newly established Roman culture. Moreover, Aerneas chose to forsake his lover Dido in order to be in the Roman army. This shows his dedication to the service of the republic. Question 2 The New Testament is the textual basis for what became a new civilization, one that largely substituted Christian teachings for the religious, philosophical, and social values that prevailed in the classical, that is the Greek and Roman world. The New Testament particular the New Testament has considerable similarity with the works of profound classical authors such as Homer, Plato, and Virgil. The New Testament has outstanding contradicti on with other classical literature. In particular, the New Testament is written from a spiritual perspective rather than a worldly perspective. Certainly, nearly all classical writers had an ideal physical republic or a city that defined their views towards life and the role of humanity. On the other hand, Jesus referred to the heavenly kingdom that did not resemble anything in this world, as we know it. In this reference, the heavily kingdom as portrayed in the New Testament