The Iliad and the Odyssey are two epic poems with both similar and different styles in the structure of the poems, as well as each poem having the same gods incorporated into the stories of the day. today, the lives of mortals. Greek poetry before Homer was composed entirely orally; it is therefore assumed that Homer's works are the first written works of art (Joachim Latacz, page 15). Scholars who have spent much time researching the origin of Homer's work cannot verify a specific time when the Iliad and Odyssey were written (Latacz, 24). Many who have tried have generally found themselves at a dead end, but it seems that most have come to the conclusion that the poems were written in the late 18th century (Latacz, 59). There are several similarities in the two stories of the Iliad and the Odyssey. Both stories are classic epic poems written by the legendary poet Homer. Achilles and Odysseus, the main antagonists of the Iliad and the Odyssey, are both Greek warriors and are both depicted in one way or another in each of the poems. Odysseus is presented throughout the Iliad as one of the most cunning warriors of the Greek forces (Coleman-Norton, JStor). Although he is shown throughout the Iliad, his first appearance is most similar to the Odysseus shown in the Odyssey when he is the one chosen to captain the ship that returns Chryseis to her father (The Iliad , lines 440-447). The character of Achilles is represented in the eleventh book of the Odyssey when Odysseus speaks with his spirit for a brief moment (The Odyssey, 585-629). Both stories also include some form of internal abduction. In the Iliad, this appears immediately with the capture of Chryseis and Briseis by Agamemnon and Achilles as prizes of war (The Iliad, 182-185). The Odyssey shows middle of paper ......ations of different women, the song of the sirens and the fruits of the lotus eaters. Another contrasting point between the two poems is cunning versus force. The Iliad is about war and brute force in combat to determine the winner. The Odyssey concerns the brain of Odysseus. He must use his wits to survive many of his misadventures. Homer's epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, are similar in many ways and different. The gods of Mount Olympus play an important role in each of the stories; but this does not necessarily mean the same role. The attitudes betrayed by the gods seem to be almost polar opposites from the Iliad to the Odyssey. Yes, there are some similarities between the gods rather than just their name, but there are very few. The structure and theme of the two poems have some similarities and many differences.,.