The Aeneid clearly reflects the influence that Homer's Odyssey had on Virgil's writing. Among the many common aspects shared by these two epic poems, each author's depiction of the Underworld provides an interesting basis for comparison. Although the resemblance seems extraordinary at first glance, several important differences can be discovered upon closer inspection. These differences allow the reader of the poems to make comparisons not only between the two poets, but also between their characters, namely Aeneas and Odysseus. Two particular passages that can be compared are Book VI, lines 335 to 489 of The Aeneid and Book X, line 560 to Book XI, line 62 of The Odyssey. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayThe characters of Aeneas and Odysseus are revealed through their respective journeys to the Underworld. A stark contrast lies in the steps each hero must take to reach their destination. The process that Aeneas must go through is much more complex. The beginning of said passage (lines 331 et seq.) of The Aeneid describes the final stage of this process, when they undertake the formidable journey through the Sibyl's cave. They only reach this final test after making the appropriate sacrifices to the gods and finding the Golden Bough, which gives them access to the River Styx. To Odysseus, the process described in XI.23-45 of The Odyssey seems simple in comparison. After sacrificing the animals and promising his best heifer to the dead, he simply calls the lost souls and converses with them. He achieves his goal without a long and arduous journey like the one Aeneas must make. Aeneas' journey can be interpreted as a test of his determination. He says to the Sibyl: “No difficult novel, no surprises... I have planned them all, I have reviewed them in my head” (Aeneid VI.156-158). Aeneas has been through so much that there is no form of struggle or danger that he cannot face. And because he has endured all these trials, his determination has been proven, whereas Odysseus' determination is little tested. Aeneas, however, benefits from the help of a guide throughout this arduous process. Apollo's prophetess, the Sibyl, accompanies him to the Underworld, showing him the way and helping him understand what he sees. For example, when they are in the Sibyl's cave, she asks Aeneas to "enter the path here and draw your sword" (Aeneid VI.359). She continues to give him similar orders throughout the journey. His dependence on the Sibyl makes the reader wonder if he would have succeeded without her help. Ulysses, for his part, undertakes his journey entirely alone. He has no guide and this difference reflects the character of the heroes. Aeneas' passive nature causes him to always look toward the fulfillment of his destiny and is helped or hindered by the gods. Odysseus, however, fights his way through the trials that fate imposes on him. Aeneas' passivity is also reflected in the fact that he receives help even before his journey to the Underworld. The Sibyl informs him: “The corpse of your friend... lies there, without burial... First give rest to man” (Aeneid VI.217-221). She orders him to bury Misenus' body first, which he does. Odysseus has no such advisor: he too had lost a friend, Elpenor, but he was not buried, and this is how he lamented to Odysseus when they met in the Underworld. Elpenor asks Ulysses: "... do not go and do not leave me without tears, without burial" (Odyssey XI.72). Aeneas' passivity is subtly present even in something as minor as the person in.