Odyssey and Most Dangerous Game (MDG) Comparison

In MDG I saw that desire and danger equaled drama with the desire to stay alive and the danger of getting killed. His desire to live was so powerful that it helped him control the danger, but there was still drama. In the Odyssey, there was the desire to get home and the danger of dying. There was definitely drama because he was fighting to get home, and had to persevere through the danger to reach his goal/desire.

1. For background information in the Odyssey, they told you straight out what it was. Everyone told their life story and left nothing for you to figure out. In MDG, they told you in a more descriptive way. The background information would come in dialogue and you had to put the pieces together.

2. I think it's more of a character versus an external something or someone. In the Odyssey, Ulysses would have been home faster if it wasn't for external things keeping him away. In MDG, it's Rainsford trying to stay alive against the General and wouldn't be put through this if it weren't for the General. It could also be internal for MDG because he has to stay alert and think of ways to trap the General. Ulysses has to stay cunning which also helps against any problems.

3. In the Odyssey, there are a lot more than one problems that keep him from his goal. Problem after problem show up to stop him, whereas in MDG, there aren't as many problems. The General is the only thing keeping Rainsford from his goal of returning back to shore.

4. In the Odyssey, there is a big flashback about Ulysses's adventures before then. It gives you a lot of information about what is going on. In MDG, there isn't a flashback. There was only background information and a little bit of dialogue about what had happened in earlier events.

5. The Odyssey has a big resolution, where peace is restored everywhere and his family is reunited. His goal is reached and all of the conflicts are resolved. In MDG, he does manage to stay alive, but you do not know if he is safely on shore again. The resolution was also less dramatic. Some of it was for sure resolved, and some is unknown (but you could assume the General kept his deal and sent him back to shore).

Odyssey Review

After this weeks reading, I was surprised that Penelope didn't believe that it was Ulysses at first. I thought she would be overjoyed that he was home, but instead she was skeptical. I was also surprised that Ulysses let some men survive. I was expecting him to kill them all and show no mercy, but he let two of them go based on what Telemachus said.

I thought it was interesting that none of the other men could string the bow. From what I've read, I expected them to be really strong. I also found it interesting that one man was only grieved that he was not stronger than Ulysses, not that he wouldn't be able to marry Penelope.

Finally, I was confused about the part that talked about blood on the ceiling and walls, and the men laughing forcefully. I didn't get what that was about, and why none of the men really seemed to notice it. I was also a little confused about the suitors being so mean to strangers, when hospitality is such a big belief back then.

Overall, I thought it was a pretty good book. It could get difficult at times, but I think it was worth it. I would recommend it to someone who was up for a challenge.