The Odyssey and Propaganda

homers The Odyssey and Virgils Aeneid as propagandistic Literature Propaganda is a powerful social tool that influences audiences through with(predicate) employment and selective view excites and has been witnessed in hi figment as far back as written records exist. It has been used to sanction the rise of new leaders, herald a confederation and its dominance, and push ideological ag set asideas to audiences of all backgrounds throughout civilizations. The methods that propaganda has been used argon numerous and include both written and spoken forms of communication to secure the audience.Literature is non exempt from the use of propaganda and Homers The Odyssey and Virgils The Aeneid atomic number 18 two historical sources where it target be found. The propaganda seen in these texts share similarities and differences which can be compared and contrasted and include the set of the societies they represent, the destinies of the heroes and what each represents to the hostelry , and how the backgrounds of the creators influence what occurs in the theme with emphasis on politics and traditions.The Odyssey shares similar propaganda to The Aeneid, although it is not as presently apparent given the historical backgrounds that led to the creation of each, in regards to the policy-making and social changes being experienced around the while The Aeneid was written. The type of propaganda that is emphasize in The Odyssey is based around the dominance and traditions of antiquated Greek society and finis, the necessity of recognize the gods and goddesses, and maintaining virtues that are universal throughout society part emphasizing the splendor of the individual.It is debated through the journey of Odysseus, which begins with the trojan horse contend and follows with each adventure that he experiences on his return to Ithaca, ending on a message of the importance of homecoming when he reaches the shores of his island. The dominance of Ancient Greek soc iety is displayed immediately in the backstory of how the Achaeans overcame the city of Troy and win the trojan War. It emphasizes the intelligence and cunning of the Achaeans through the example of the Trojan cater which Odysseus thought of that was used to infiltrate the city. That the Greeks would emerge victorious at the end of a en-year siege over a powerful foe demonstrates the potentiality of the society militarily. Cultural influences that are affected by propaganda in The Odyssey demonstrate the achievements, sets, and traditions of Ancient Greece through references to the ideal individual, proper hospitality, and the prizeing of the gods and goddesses. The individual in Ancient Greek society was valued as a buckram mental and physical person, who displayed cunning and strength, had a silver tongue and demo articulate thoughts through powerful rhetoric, that could handle any challenge duration creating an eternal legacy.The ideal individual was also loyal to his fam ily and society, and was dedicated to the set and traditions transfuseed in them from birth. This is all demonstrated through Odysseus and his actions, from creating the idea of the Trojan one dollar bill and displaying leadership in battle, to outsmarting the cyclops Polyphemus, to having an unfaltering love for his wife Penelope. proper(ip) hospitality is explained through the suitors that have overrun Odysseuss home, who slaughter his animals, fox his wine, and made themselves unwelcome guests. Homer is equal to provide an example of how not to act when a person is a guest in others home.Conversely, he demonstrates proper hospitality by using the goat herder as an example when he takes a disguised beggar that is Odysseus into his home. The honoring of the gods and goddesses that were above all mortal men and women was important in the culture of Greek society, and this is demonstrated through the events of The Odyssey, whether it is praying to a god for safety and wholesom ebeing, performing in a way so as not to fire a god such as Poseidon, offering sacrifice to honor the legacy of a god or drinking to the honor of a god to gain their support.Homecoming is the share that is attributed to the story of Odysseus and his fate of returning to Ithaca emphasizes the importance of never leaving the place you were born or the ones you love, a value that was important to Ancient Greek society. These are all examples of propaganda that was used in The Odyssey, which was shared through a rich oral tradition that helped instruct these ideals and virtues into the core of Ancient Greek society. Unlike The Odyssey, which began as an oral story and then written at a later date, The Aeneid was written from the point of its creation.It originated at a clock time of political and social change in papistical society, which influenced not only its creation but the characters and story in it. According to the Vita Servii which states that the makeup of the Aeneid had been undertaken at the express proposal of the emperor (Avery 225). As it was commissioned by Augustus Caesar, this meant that it was rife with propaganda that emphasized the dominance of Roman society, its importance, and its values such as commerce and honor.Caesar sought to restore tradition to capital of Italy and remind its citizens of its history at a time when this was important to the act prosperity of Rome under new rule. Aeneas was used a vessel for examining these functions of propaganda and his journey reinforced these virtues. In effect, Virgil draws certain parallels to achieve one of his umpteen political aims-constructing a national identity for Rome as splendiferous and ancient as that of Greece (Bell 228). Virgil offered a new perspective on the Trojan War, immediately dispelling the Achaeans as scum for their trickery, which reinforced the dominance of the Trojans.He allowed Aeneas to survive the Trojan War, and used the gods and goddesses that were integral to Roman religion to create a destiny where it was his duty to found Rome and bring about its prominence, despite not being entirely aware that this was his fate. Due to this, Aeneas embodies the ideal Roman citizen, a good deal as Odysseus embodied the ideal Greek individual. He is filled with duty and honor and not giving up in a time of strife, as when he loses his home of Troy.This is compared to the society of Rome at the time of writing, which was under new leadership and government, and emphasized the importance of society be strong and prosperous. Duty to the gods was emphasized through Aeneas and his support from Juno, who reminded him that he has to treat on despite finding love in Dido. The importance of Roman society is examined when despite being injured in combat, Aeneas is able to call back due to the interference of Venus, and was gifted a shield that depicted the time to come of Rome.In the scenes on the shield, Julius Caesar can be seen, as well as the combat of Actium, and several other key events known at the time of writing to be integral to the history of Rome and all of which would be a direct result of the duty that Aeneas was to serve through his piety. Virgil was effectively able to create a politically driven and supported example of propaganda through his writing of The Aeneid, and the significance of its creation led to a more corporate Rome which benefited Augustus Caesar in his rule and cemented Virgil is the annals of history as a great epic poet.Propaganda was a useful tool for both Homer and Virgil, and both men were able to use it in effect to instill and remind the audiences of The Odyssey and The Aeneid of the dominance of the Ancient Greek and Roman societies as well as their values and traditions that remained deeply rooted in each society until the downfall of the respective civilization. Works Cited Avery, William T. Augustus and the Aeneid. The Classical Journal 52. 5 (1957) 225-29. Print. Bell, Kimberly K. Tran slatio and the Constructs of a Roman Nation in Virgils Aeneid Rocky Mountain Review 62. 1 (2008) 11-24. Print.