The Odyssey, translated by Fagles, is about a hero facing life-threatening challenges to return home to his kingdom and family after his victory during the Trojan war. Beowulf, which is translated by Seamus Heaney, is about a god-like warrior fighting against all evil. In both stories, the protagonist's epic heroism is explored, and throughout the reading, contradictions and conflicting heroic characteristics are manifested. Odysseus and Beowulf both are prone to adventure for the sake of glory, but Odysseus’ motivation is preceded by self-importance and Beowulf’s motivation is built upon his nobility. This can be best exemplified by Beowulf’s approaches to life, Odysseus’ listening to the sirens, Beowulf’s battles, and Odysseus blinding the cyclops.
Odysseus is motivated by the pursuit of glory. Glory is obtained mainly by the conquer of his obstacles and achievements of strength and intellect. However, Odysseus’ quest for glory leads to the recklessness that violates and angers the gods. In seeking glory, Odysseus greatly expands his journey home. He chooses to make decisions that affect the outcome of his original goals and intentions. For example, Odysseus and his men approach the island of sirens. They say, “... pound the huge roaring breakers of blue-eyed Amphitrite the clashing rocks they’re called by all the blissful gods. Not even birds can escape them… No ship of men has ever approached and slipped past” (Homer 198), To Odysseus, that is a challenge that he must conquer. He tied himself to the mast of the ship, and he was only able to hear the siren’s song. Being the first to hear the siren song, and still be alive was an extraordinary boast of self-importance, and he adapts that sense of glory because he has accomplished the works of no other. During the siren song, Odysseus could barely restrain himself, “I signaled the crew with frowns to set me to see… we’d left the sirens fading in our wake, once we could hear their song no more” (Homer 202). He had temptations to be set free but because of his crew, he was able to achieve his goal, by crossing the siren’s island. Odysseus also develops this source of power that originates from his glory. Odysseus displays his desire for glory through his careless actions.
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Odysseus is portrayed as a great hero through his strength and intellect, but his selfish personality and intent only being for glory depict him as less of a hero. Odysseus utilizes his mortality and mental ability to triumph over his enemies. Odysseus has an excessive amount of pride which drives his motivation for his self-admiration. His power and glory asserting him bring upon the raise of his narcissism, which proves that his life revolves around his fame because of how he takes on his adventures and challenges. One of Odysseus’ many obstacles is facing the Cyclops. He speaks of himself as “Nobody,” when he is addressed by the cyclops, keeping his identity a secret. Having the power to escape the island he successfully blinds the Cyclops. Knowing that his victory over the Cyclops was profound and gratifies his vanity, he chooses to accredit himself, “if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed you so- say, Odysseus… Laertes’ son who makes his home in Ithaca” (Homer 227). Odysseus feels that his bravery and glory need to be known, as the man who bested the giant. This exhibits how his self-importance is his primary source of motivation and that his adventures are only to be attained for his self-pride.
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