Three-Trick Ponies The two epic works, the Odyssey and The Alchemist, told the perilous journeys of two heroes who risked their lives to reach their destinations. The Odyssey and The Alchemist achieved the three characteristics of an epic: to entertain, inspire, and educate readers. They entertain readers with their thrilling plot twists, inspire with their heroes’ determination and courage through difficult challenges, and educate through the unique cultures of the people the heroes interact with along their journeys. The Alchemist and Odyssey set readers up to believe they know how the plot will unravel, but entertain them with unpredictable plot twists they do not expect. In The Alchemist, it is the default that readers expect…show more content… However, their determination and courage to overcome them inspires readers to face their own challenges. In The Alchemist, Santiago reaches a military camp where the men give him with an ultimatum: transform into the wind to prove his powers or be killed. Santiago “ ‘[has] no idea how to turn [himself] into the wind’ ” (Coelho 141)., but he is determined to get back home to the woman he loves. Although he is doubtful that such a feat is within the realms of possibility, Santiago has courage and convinces the wind to turn him into the wind. Santiago’s achievement of the near impossible with his determination and courage inspires readers to face their fears. In the Odyssey, Odysseus and his crew get trapped by a massive Cyclops in its cave, and the Cyclops begins eating the men one at a time. Odysseus know that with each day, more of his crew is eaten, so he devises a plan to outsmart the Cyclops and escape. Odysseus gives the Cyclops a bowl of wine to make him fall asleep. Next, he is courageous and “[dashes] at the Cyclops, [and thrusts the stake] into his eye” (Homer 5). Odysseus’ and his men’s lives are spared from being eaten because of Odysseus’ bravery and determination to escape. Santiago’s and Odysseus’ determination and courage in overcoming daunting tasks is an inspiration for readers to do the
