Tragic Heroes of The Iliad and Oedipus Rex Analysis

Calvin Coolidge once said, â€Å"Heroism is not only in the man, but in the occasion† (brainyquote.com). Heroes are among one of the most popular literary figures of all time. A Greek philosopher, Aristotle, wrote his notion of classic from of heroism called tragic heroism in his work entitled Poetics. In Poetics, Aristotle explains that there are certain qualities that a tragic hero has that can qualify him or her as tragically heroic. Two Grecian literary legends, Achilles from Homer’s Iliad and Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, fit the description of an Aristotelian tragic hero. Achilles, from Homer’s The Iliad, is a tragic hero. Achilles’s quick rage coincides with a key characteristic of a tragic hero. Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae takes†¦show more content†¦For example, he is an unbeatable war machine because he possesses armor crafted by the god Hephaestus to protect him in battle against Hector, leader of the Trojans. Achilles temper and hi ghborn status qualify him as an Aristotelian tragic hero. The titular character from Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, also corresponds with Aristotle’s idea of a tragic hero. He is a flawed character, his weakness being his excessive pride and over confidence, which is a qualifying factor found in tragic heroes. A plague is present in the city of Thebes, and Oedipus has turned to Tiresias, an old prophet, for advice. However, Tiresias informs him that Oedipus himself is the murderer of King Laius and he has brought this plague to the city. In response, Oedipus says, â€Å"Not twice shall you say calumnies like this and go unpunished† (Sophocles 433). Oedipus’s egotism is well exhibited with his conversation with Tiresias. The fact that he denies Tiresias, an all seeing man, shows that he is entirely too self-important. His hubris, or arrogant pride, ends up affecting his destiny, which is to kill his father and marry his mother. Also, his downfall is not wholly deserved, according to another Aristotelian quality of a tragic hero. Since it is his fate to kill his father and marry his mother, he cannot avoid it. After the tragic events of finding out his prophecy is true and that his mother and wife has killed herself, Oedipus ashamed, blinds himself in order to never see his deceased parentsShow MoreRelatedComparison of Oedipus Rex and a Raisin in the Sun Essay1874 Words   |  8 Pagesto Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Greek and Roman plays, and even Indeed ancient Indian plays (a common Indo-European Tradition), usually had a pivotal character that â€Å"held the play together†. Also there would be a Chorus that would come into play when the tragedy would begin unfolding. The Greco-Roman variants were almost always tragedies. Be it Homer’s Iliad or Odessey. The hero after long travails always seemed to return to nothing and would come to grief. Achilles, Priam, Agamemnon, Oedipus, allRead MoreFall from Grace: Satan as a Spiritually Corrupt Hero in Miltons Paradise Lost2859 Words   |  12 Pagesadmirable qualities, is ignoble down to the core in everything he has done - especially including his war against God - and that he is not the protagonist of Paradise Lost, but rather he is the antagonist who creates the conflict. In a more in-depth analysis of a hero, Joseph Campbell briefly defines a hero as someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself(p143) in his book The Power of Myth. Some of the aspects of a hero as explained in The Power of Myth include a call toRead MoreAncient Greek Culture2704 Words   |  11 Pagesin the Western world. It became the model for all later literature. Greek writers introduced several important types including lyric and epic poetry, tragic and comic drama, and several important historical essays and dialogue (Myrsiades, 2013). Two of the most famous epic poems were written by Homer entitled â€Å"Iliad† which tells about the Trojan War and the â€Å"Odyssey† which tells about the adventures of the Greek hero Odysseus when he returns home after the fall of Troy

The Diversity And Cultural Diversity Management - 1634 Words

ïÆ'Ëœ Which advantages do Cultural Diversity and Cultural Diversity Management have ? The complexity of the current economic climate demands creative and innovative business approaches and presents the opportunity for growth in developing markets by addressing unexpected or counter-intuitive consumer needs. Shifting demographics, increasing purchasing power of non-traditional segments and a trend towards customization present a compelling case for viewing MasterCard’s business efforts through a diverse lens. As a global technology company keenly focused on innovation, diversity and inclusion is a business imperative for MasterCard as company believes that diversity sits at the root of innovation. Diversity of culture, experience, and thought†¦show more content†¦Ã¯Æ'Ëœ How is Cultural Diversity anchored into the management systems ? MasterCard firmly believes that the demographics of suppliers should reflect those of the customers. In 2001, MasterCard launched the Supplier Diversity Program in the United States so businesses owned by women, minorities and veterans, as well as small businesses, would have equal opportunity to participate MasterCard procurement process. In addition to making good business sense, this program offers several indisputable benefits: †¢ Developing an inclusive, competitive, and enhanced supply chain †¢ Enhancing MasterCard brand-building efforts †¢ Creating a competitive advantage †¢ Strengthening the communities in which MasterCard operates With this program, MasterCard aims to ensure that businesses that are owned by minorities, women, or veterans, as well as small businesses, have equal access to procurement opportunities. Additionally, the program allows other suppliers to receive credit for subcontracting work to minority-, women-, or veteran-owned enterprises, or using those enterprises to provide goods and services to their own businesses, because MasterCard sees this as adding value to the company.. Over time, the benefits of this program have proven to be even more pronounced than first anticipated, enabling MasterCard to enjoy what is considered as a competitive advantage in the industry. As a result, MasterCard has begun to expand the program beyond the United States,

Holdens Misapprehension of Death in Essay Example For Students

Holdens Misapprehension of Death in Essay Death is one of lifes most mysterious occurrences. It is sometimes difficult to comprehend why an innocent young child has to die, and a murderer is released from prison and gets a second chance at life. There is no simple explanation for this. Though, perhaps the best, would be the theological perspective that God has a prewritten destiny for every man and woman. In J.D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye Holden often finds himself questioning his faith and pondering why an innocent adolescent like his brother Allie has to die. By the close of the novel Holden learns to accept not only death but life as well. There are several instances within J.D. Salingers The Catcher in the Rye in which Holden expresses his misapprehension of death. In Chapter 5, on page 38 Holden provides a long excursus on Allie, specifying the particulars of his life and death. The consequential point comes at the close of the digression when Holden discloses his own reaction to Allies death. In this Chapter Hol den first poses the question of why did Allie have to die at such a young age. Another example of Holdens confusion about death can be found in Chapter 9, on page 60. In a cab on the way to the Edmont Hotel Holden asks the cab driver if he knows what happens to the ducks in the lake in Central Park during the winter. Although this question may seem trivial, it is in fact a way of Holden asking what happens to people when they die. What Holden really wants to know is if they just disappear or do they move on to a more suitable place. Unfortunately the cab driver doesnt truly comprehend Holdens question and is unable to provide an adequate explanation for him. One final illustration of Holdens misconception of death is evident in Chapter 12, on pages 81-82. In this instance Holden once again poses the question of what happens to the ducks in the lake in Central Park during the winter. This driver, Horowitz, responds much more climactically than the anonymous driver in Chapter 9. , and he provides a ardent series of remarks. Horowitz changes the subject of the con versation from ducks to fish, because he can cope with them. Horowitz is also a believer of the rightness of things. His departing comment: Listen,if you was a fish, Mother Natured take care of you, wouldnt she? Right? You dont think them fish just die when it gets to be winter do ya?Youre goddam right they dont. elucidates his thinking completely. This conversation clarifies many things for Holden and helps him begin to understand the true meaning of death. Throughout the novel The Catcher in the Rye Holden is constantly struggling to accept and understand the true meaning of not only death but life as well, for if Holden doesnt accept death he can never truly understand life. By the end of this great work by Salinger, Holden is on the road to recovery with a much more detailed and complex understanding of life and death. He now accepts Allies death, and will be able to continue to live a much less stressful and much freer life.