Comparison between the Odyssey, Aeneid and Confession (Journey)

The Roman Empire and its Importance

The Roman Empire has been categorized as the most important empire in ancient times across time. Others have even gone so far as to call it the greatest empire in human history. The Romans were the most patriotic and proud of their strong empire of all mortals in the universe. As a result, they would compare themselves to those who came before them. Works such as Augustine’s Confession (AD 397-400), Homer’s Odyssey (8th Century), and Virgil’s Aeneid (29-15BC) are examples of works aimed at preserving culture among the Greeks and Romans, respectively. The Confession illustrates the path followed by St. Augustine in his quest for divine healing and transformation. The Odyssey outlines the journey of Odyssey back home after the end of the Trojan War. It is in the Aeneid that Aeneas takes the journey back to Italy after emerging victorious in the Trojan War. This essay, therefore, seeks to compare the Odyssey, the Aeneas, and the Confession while exploring them along the lines of a journey.

Parallel Journeys of Odyssey and Aeneid

In both the Odyssey and the Aeneid, both Odyssey and Aeneid undergo the parallel journeys of going back home. However, during the journeys, the experiences and actions of the two differ distinctly (Galinsky) Aeneas firmly believes in the Roman value of duties. He is given the task of leaving Carthage and establishing a new empire in Rome which he responds to instantly. It is Aeneas instinct to obey the orders given by the gods at any one point. He is ready to follow orders that he cares not about the ’satisfactory life’ he is leaving behind. Not even Dido, his lover or the peaceful life he could ever have can retract him from obeying the god’s orders. Notably, Aeneas willingly sacrifices his happiness: his private life for the people’s and public’s sake. Odyssey on the other has no drive in duties handed down by the gods. He departs Troy to return back home in Ithaca which takes him ten years, and even when he does, none of his crew members is with him. Self-interest is the impetus that steers the life of Odyssey. Many a time he abandons those he is responsible and indebted to. Occasionally, he strays from his path and role. In the mountain of Cyclops for instance, he occasionally predisposes Circe and Calypso to danger while betraying his spouse. It is only after having his share of bliss with Calypso that Odyssey obeys the order of the gods to return home in Ithaca and to his wife. All his actions are purely out of self- interest. Correspondingly, he places his private life above his public roles; a trait that Romans deeply loathe. Virgil, therefore, uses the thin line of contrast between Odysseys`s sense of self-interest and Aeneas dutiful demeanor to steer the Roman culture above that of the Greeks. In the Trojan cycle, Homer heralds the Iliad as war and Odyssey as a journey.

Approaches to War in the Aeneid and the Odyssey

Virgil combines the two concepts in the Aeneid: war that follows a journey. Homers’ Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneas approach and embrace war differently. In his journey, Aeneas fights for the future; primarily, the establishment of an empire for his son and continuing the legacy of Troy. Aeneas is in a battle for a cause greater than himself. He understands that his fights are based on benefiting others. He accepts and fights even harder for the call. Unlike Aeneas, Odyssey battles for himself, his interests, and family (Greece values). Further, he is occasionally involved in a conflict that sees him seeking glory for himself. The conflict between Odyssey and Polyphemos, the resulting vengeance at Poseidon could have been avoided had he, Odyssey, decided not to focus on his personal glory. Even after the suitors offer compensation and surrender, Odyssey sees it right to kill them after he reclaims the houses (Katz). His motivation aims at avenging on the suitors, and saving his wife is not part of his plans. As a result, benefiting from Odyssey is through the by-products of his selfish acts. It never crosses his mind to fight for others; to him, he is first.

Cultural Representations in the Odyssey and the Aeneid

Aeneas orients his battles towards benefiting others, the outcome, and to ultimately create. Odyssey, on the other hand, amidst fighting for himself, he destroys. Metaphorically, Virgil uses this comparison to show the vastness in culture between the Romans and Greeks. Implicitly, Rome has its focus towards building an empire while establishing its cultural identity. Greece, on the other hand, is a destructor; the sacking of Troy followed by the Peloponnesian war leads to internal destruction.

The Representation of Culture in the Odyssey and the Aeneid

Culture is represented well between the Odyssey and the Aeneid. The Aeneid demonstrates the Roman ideas of pietas- showing extreme for one’s forefathers. In the Trojan War, Aeneas is seen carrying his father from the burning Troy. Pietas governs his actions, and since he loved his father so much, he is determined to save him. The Odyssey possesses the Greece thought for the perfection of both body and mind. It is a much more individualized and based personal belief rather than the Roman pietas.

The Spiritual Journey in Augustine’s Confession

The confession, on the other hand, speaks of the religious aspect of the society. Augustine’s journey involves the conversion from a sinful past life to a rightful living. In contrast to the Aeneas and Odyssey, the confession’s goal is to achieve individual holiness (Katz). Also, while Odyssey and Aeneas emphasize on returning home; to family and the people respectively, Augustine’s goal is the attainment of the correct spiritual nourishment. Similarly, Augustine and Aeneas share the attitude of following the orders given to them by their relevant deities. Aeneas follows the gods’ orders to return home, while Augustine follows the scriptures (bible) and relates to the chapters. In one scene, for instance, he reads the book of Romans 13:13-14 proclaiming the discretion associated with lust. It is also at this stage that he begins to embrace Catholicism. Distinctly, while Odyssey concentrates on achieving self-fulfillment through egocentric means and Aeneas through helping others, the confession is different. The confession seeks to attain spiritual fulfillment by embracing Christianity and the associated teachings.

Similarities and Resonance in the Odyssey, the Aeneid, and the Confession

A striking similarity between the Odyssey and Aeneid is the fact that both Odyssey and Aeneid are traveling back home. The Odyssey talks about Odysseys journey back home. In a scene with Cilia, Odyssey learns that playtime is over, and he has to go back home to Ithaca and to reunite with his wife and family. The goal in the Odyssey is to show the Greek Value for family and home. After the Trojan War, the journey sets to make him endure the hardships and persevere. By the same token, Augustine, Odyssey, and Aeneas are considered heroes of their own time and still are.

Connections Between the Works

The Aeneid and the Odyssey are seen at the beginning invoking the muse to assist in telling their different stories. Virgil and Augustine both use the same geographical routes in their conquests. The confession sees Augustine moving to Carthage, the exact city that Aeneas, in the Aeneas, arrives in. Augustine, like his male counterpart Aeneas, leaves Carthage for Italy. It is in Italy that both parties fulfill their missions. Augustine finally discovers the Catholic religion and the Lord in Milan. Aeneas finds Rome eventually. Augustine illustrates the romantic affair between Dido and Aeneas. Although both Dido and Aeneas declare their undying love for each other, technically, they remain unmarried. In the life of Augustine, he has a lover to whom they remain unmarried. Eventually, both couples separate. Aeneas leaves Dido after receiving a message from Jupiter that his future rests in Italy and not Carthage. Similarly, the separation of Augustine from his lover is tragic when he, his mother Monica, tells him he is to be married to another woman.

Journey of Transformation and Fulfillment

Augustine, in his confession, narrates how he regrets leading an immoral and sinful life. He is regretful for believing in astrology and Manichaean religion. As a journey, therefore, the Confession explores Augustine’s life journey from an immoral to a righteous life. His goal is to encourage the conversion from an unholy to a holy life among the Romans. Just like journeys illustrate a start which culminates, in the end, depicting a goal achieved or not, the Confession aptly explains the transition from one stage to another, in Augustine’s journey. The Aeneid tells of Aeneas’ journey towards attaining a legacy for Troy. His journey also encompasses doing well and serving his people. Fueling Aeneas’ journey further is his goal to build his son an empire.

Continued Influence of the Works

Although different in context and the writing of Odyssey, Augustine, and Aeneas remain to be amongst the most revered historical literature in contemporary times. The confession continues to be the most influential in Christianity. In the modern European language, the Aeneid has created a template for celebrating emperors, kings, and historical foundations. The romantic epic; The Faerie Queene of the British protestant state is a remake of the Virgilian model. Homer’s poem; the Odyssey remains popular owing to the sincerity involved with it. His work is not fueled by politics, race, or religion.

Works Cited

Galinsky, Karl. Aeneas, Sicily, and Rome. Princeton University Press, 2015.

Katz, Marylin A. Penelope’s Renown: Meaning and Indeterminacy in the“ Odyssey”. Princeton University Press, 2014.