Aeneas Compared to Gilgamesh, Achilles, and Odysseus

 When a person is “human” it means they have qualities that make them likable. Aeneas is also an interesting character to analyze, because he is the main character in the Aeneid by Virgil. Odysseus, the main character of The Odyssey by Homer, is one of the characters that is not as human as Aeneas. Achilles is a character from The Iliad , also by homer that is less human than Aeneas. Gilgamesh, the main character from The Epic of Gilgamesh is another character that is considerably less human than Aeneas. Aeneas is more human than Odysseus, Achilles, and Gilgamesh because he admits his mistakes, he does not worry about his fate, he is a good leader, and does not encounter any monsters.

Aeneas is the main character of the Aeneid by Virgil. Aeneas has many characteristics that make him “human”. Aeneas is never arrogant or cunning. Aeneas also never worries about his fate. He never tries to change it even though he knows it. Aeneas also never encounters any monsters, which means most of the gods like him. The last characteristic that makes Aeneas human is he is a good leader. He always told his army what they were doing and he did not get mad at them. That is what makes Aeneas human.

Aeneas is more human than Odysseus. Odysseus is cunning, which means he uses trickery. Aeneas always spoke the truth and never tried to trick anybody. Odysseus also tried to escape his fate once he learned about it, Aeneas on the other hand, learned his fate and accepted his fate. Aeneas never has a battle with monsters on his journey, Odysseus however, had many fights with monsters. This shows that Aeneas is more human than Odysseus because monsters were usually sent by the gods. Odysseus had gods that did not like him so they sent monsters to attack him. Aeneas did not have any fights with monsters so most of the gods were not against him. That is why Aeneas is more human than Odysseus.

Gilgamesh is not as human as Aeneas for many reasons. . Like Odysseus, Gilgamesh attempts to change his fate and Aeneas does not. Gilgamesh is also not as human because he is extremely arrogant. Gilgamesh always brags how amazing of a king he is. Aeneas never bragged to his army. This also shows how Aeneas is more human than Gilgamesh. The last reason Gilgamesh is less human than Aeneas is that Gilgamesh wanted credit for everything, Aeneas doesn’t care how famous he is. That is why Aeneas is more human than Gilgamesh.

Achilles was clearly less human than Aeneas for many reasons. Achilles was immortal (except for his heel), while Aeneas is one – hundred percent mortal. Achilles was also less human because he always let his anger overtake his sense of duty, something Aeneas never did. That is why Achilles is much less of a human than Aeneas.

Aeneas is a good leader ,he is not arrogant or cunning, and he never tries to cheat fate. Odysseus, the main character from the Odyssey, is cunning and arrogant which does not make him seem human. Achilles tried to cheat fate, which is why he is not as human as Aeneas, and Gilgamesh wanted to be famous. Therefore Aeneas is clearly more human than Odysseus, Gilgamesh and Achilles.