Free Essays: Odysseus of the Odyssey and Moses of Exodus :: comparison compare contrast essays

Odysseus of the Odyssey and Moses of Exodus The Book of Exodus is considered to be an epic poem as by definition. An epic poem as defined by Funk and Wagnalls is a poem celebrating in stately, formal verse the achievements of heroes, gods, and demigods (426). The Book of Exodus as well as the entire Bible was written in the form of an epic poem. Major characteristics of epic poems are that there is always a heroic figure. Moses is indeed comparable to Odysseus, the heroic figure in the Odyssey. Although both men had different purposes they are still considered comparable according to the definition of an epic. Like Odysseus, Moses was at one with the gods. In Moses' case it was only one almighty god. Moses had a special covenant with God. It was as if Moses was Gods' body on earth. Moses spoke Gods' words and acted upon his request. Moses possessed many characteristics that made him a great man. In the Exodus there were many examples where Moses showed his great wisdom. He also possessed somewhat magical power given to him by God. He also had a divine purpose in life. Moses was on a "mission from god" so to speak to deliver his people from bondage. His mission was similar to those of other typical epics. It was of course a very dangerous and exhausting journey that lasted a very long time. There were many obstacles to overcome as well as internal affairs among the Hebrews. Moses was born a Hebrew but was raised as the prince of Egypt. Just like Odysseus, Moses was a man of nobility. Moses did not know he was a Hebrew until he was a much older man. He was living a lie without even realizing it. "And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren (Exodus 2. 11). It was then that Moses realized who he was, but he was still unaware of his destiny to lead his people out of bondage. When Moses realized who he was he fled to the land of Midian. Free Essays: Odysseus of the Odyssey and Moses of Exodus :: comparison compare contrast essays Odysseus of the Odyssey and Moses of Exodus The Book of Exodus is considered to be an epic poem as by definition. An epic poem as defined by Funk and Wagnalls is a poem celebrating in stately, formal verse the achievements of heroes, gods, and demigods (426). The Book of Exodus as well as the entire Bible was written in the form of an epic poem. Major characteristics of epic poems are that there is always a heroic figure. Moses is indeed comparable to Odysseus, the heroic figure in the Odyssey. Although both men had different purposes they are still considered comparable according to the definition of an epic. Like Odysseus, Moses was at one with the gods. In Moses' case it was only one almighty god. Moses had a special covenant with God. It was as if Moses was Gods' body on earth. Moses spoke Gods' words and acted upon his request. Moses possessed many characteristics that made him a great man. In the Exodus there were many examples where Moses showed his great wisdom. He also possessed somewhat magical power given to him by God. He also had a divine purpose in life. Moses was on a "mission from god" so to speak to deliver his people from bondage. His mission was similar to those of other typical epics. It was of course a very dangerous and exhausting journey that lasted a very long time. There were many obstacles to overcome as well as internal affairs among the Hebrews. Moses was born a Hebrew but was raised as the prince of Egypt. Just like Odysseus, Moses was a man of nobility. Moses did not know he was a Hebrew until he was a much older man. He was living a lie without even realizing it. "And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren (Exodus 2. 11). It was then that Moses realized who he was, but he was still unaware of his destiny to lead his people out of bondage. When Moses realized who he was he fled to the land of Midian.