Different Heroes, Similar Journeys Henry James Gilchrist 9th Grade

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, and Homer’s Odyssey are what many consider to be the greatest fantastical stories of their times. While the heroes differ in many ways, their circumstances bear multiple similarities. Both characters embark on journeys accompanied by companions, and encounter both physical and psychological obstacles and opponents. Along the way, though companions accompany them, they both face trials they must overcome alone. While the stories may bear similarities, the heroes themselves are very different, causing them to treat their quests, companions, and enemies very differently. Frodo and Odysseus both are far away from all that is familiar to them, on quests that seem far beyond them, and yet both heroes rise to the challenge in Homer and Tolkien’s classic adventures.

The Odyssey and The Fellowship of the Ring both feature two heroes, far from home, trying to achieve what seems impossible. Frodo is sent on a quest, Odysseus embarks on a journey. The two characters have far different motivations, and their methods of achieving their goals reveal two entirely different people. Odysseus’s quest is merely the difficulties he encounters in trying to return to his home, whereas Frodo leaves his home...