Compare And Contrast Katniss And Odysseus

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Recommended: The Odyssey: Notes Towards an Analysis of Homer’s Poem

Tran
Michelle Tran
Ms. Vyse
English 2
15 April 2016
Katniss? and Odysseus? Epic Hero Cycle
There are many qualities within certain characters that help them in their quests. Though the characters may vary, the journey and the characteristics, in the end, are similar. Katniss and Odysseus both experienced the epic hero cycle and display similar characteristics. In the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen was a girl whose purpose was to find a way to support her mother and younger sister. That is until she took the place of her sister as a tribute in the Hunger Games, an annual game held by the ruling Capitol as punishment for previous rebellions. The only way out of the games was to kill. In Homer?s The Odyssey, Odysseus was a war hero who was trying …show more content…

Katniss? skill was that she was able to use the bow and arrow. Her ability far exceeds the tributes around her. With this ability, not only was she able to gain the attention of the Gamemakers and sponsors, she was also able to hunt and defend herself in the Games. Katniss shows her confidence in her skills when she says, ?Take whatever you want. Now that I?ve got a bow and arrows, I can get more?(Collins 282). Odysseus? special skill was his strength. Throughout The Odyssey, Odysseus mostly used his intelligence to overwhelm his opponents, Odysseus 's physical strength comes with the test of the suitors by Penelope. Odysseus was the only man strong enough to string the bow. After he succeeds stringing the bow, his identity is revealed and Odysseus slays every man in the room. Not only was he smarter than all the suitors but he was undoubtedly the strongest of all the men who want Penelope. Keeping to his honor, Odysseus relies more on his own abilities rather than anyone else?s. When Odysseus says, ?There is no greater fame for a man than that which he wins with his footwork or the skill of his hands.?(Homer). He means to express the values of using one?s own skills to achieve his or her goal. Rather relying on someone else?s help, both Katniss and Odysseus used their wits and skills to solve their own problems. Katniss? talent of using the bow and arrow and Odysseus? physical strength enable each individual character complete his or her journey in the epic hero

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