Comparison and Contrast of Roland, Odysseus, Aeneas, and Dante
In The Song of Roland, Roland emerges as the hero. His actions are guided by a sense of chivalry and loyalty to the emperor. For example, he tells Oliver, "Here must we stand to serve the King's side./Men for their lords great hardships abide" (Roland 1009-10). Here we see that Roland is a brave warrior not afraid to follow his call to duty. He is also described as "fierce" (1093), a sentiment that emphasizes his courage. His superiority over his comrades proves to a weakness because it instills within him an inflated sense of confidence. This confidence often prevents him from acting with any caution, especially regarding those around him. Roland lacks clear perception and foresight. Another weakness Roland possesses is his inability to ask for help. He thinks that death is a better outcome than disgrace. However, Roland dies a great hero.In contrast, Odysseus in Homer's The Odyssey, is
a hero because of his great adventures and his demands for honor. He is a man driven not only by saving his life but also by protecting his reputation. In fact, he holds his name in high regard. This can be seen when he tells the Phaeacians that his is Odysseus and "Men hold me/formidable for guile in peace and war:/this fame has gone abroad to the sky's rim" (Homer IX.19-21). Odysseus is proud indeed but it should be noted that like Roland, he is self-confident and persistent in his endeavors. Odysseus is also smart and resourceful. This can be seen in the scene with Telemakhos, where he is referred to as the "lord of all the tricks of war surveyed/this fugitive and smiled" (XXII.386-7). Here we see how Odysseus is clever, smart and cautious. In Dante's Inferno, Dante is a hero of another kind. In this epic, we find a man that gains strength through his travels. He is not a brave warri
Some common words found in the essay are:
Roland Roland, Inferno Dante, Aeneid Aeneas, IX19-21 Odysseus, Roland Aeneas, Homer's Odyssey, Phaeacians Odysseus, Dante Aeneas, Virgil III9-10, XXII386-7 Odysseus, example tells, brave warrior, aeneas hero,
Approximate Word count = 609
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)
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