A reflection of Odysseus and Spiderman
The Odyssey, written over 2700 years ago, continues to exert its influence on modern storytelling. The legendary Greek king of Ithaca, Odysseus, is the protagonist of Homer's epic poem and was celebrated as a great hero in his time. His remarkable qualities of exceptional strength, athleticism, sharp intellect, sensuality, and a relentless thirst for glory have become archetypal traits of fictional heroes in contemporary storytelling. Characters like Neo, Captain Jack Sparrow, James Bond, and Spiderman are still being fashioned after these defining characteristics, making the Odyssey a timeless and ever-relevant masterpiece.
According to the story synopsis, “At first, Peter decides to use these powers to make money to impress Mary Jane. He appears in a wrestling match and, armed with his new spider strength, wins the match in record time” (Marvel, and Columbia Pictures). Peter used his powers to glorify his own image just like Odysseus. Odysseus’s ability to string the incredibly stiff bow and to shoot it through twelve axe heads when not a single other suitor could do it depicts his sheer strength and athleticism.
However, a trait that may not be seen as positive is Odysseus’ lust for pride and glory, which is shared with the modern day hero, Spiderman. This trait between the two characters does not benefit them in any way, so why is it relevant between two heroes? The fact that both Odysseus and Spiderman had a strong sense of pride provided room in the stories for it to be overcome. This trait of pride had drastic consequences for both characters. Spiderman’s pride caused him to spend too much time on impressing other people when he could have been a hero. This prevented him from saving his uncle Ben from being murdered because he was preoccupied.
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Odysseus' prideful nature led him to reveal his true identity to Poseidon, who sought vengeance upon him, resulting in immense suffering during his journey home. However, both Odysseus and Spiderman were able to overcome their pride to a certain extent by the end of their stories. Spiderman eventually learned that "with great power comes great responsibility," and he used his powers to protect the city from evil rather than seeking personal glory (Marvel and Columbia Pictures).
Similarly, by the end of the epic, Odysseus appeared more willing to balance his pride with patience. When disguised as a beggar, he endured the mistreatment he received from the suitors until the moment presented itself for him to strike back. In a sense, the quality passed down from the Odyssey to contemporary heroes is the ability to conquer pride and self-glorification.
Numerous contemporary fictional heroes share similar character traits with Odysseus. Neo embodies Odysseus' physical strength and athleticism, while Captain Jack Sparrow demonstrates his cunning and quick-wittedness. James Bond embodies his sensuality towards women, yet still maintains focus on the greater objective.
Both Spiderman and Odysseus are characterized by their pride and thirst for glory, but both learn to control these traits over time. It is remarkable that modern characters still resemble an ancient hero like Odysseus. However, it remains to be seen if our perception of what constitutes a hero will ever change.
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A reflection of Odysseus and Spiderman. (2023, Feb 24). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/a-reflection-of-odysseus-and-spiderman/
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