I'm reading this excerpt from Deceit, Desire, and the Novel and on the first page there is a quote from Miquel De Cervantes' Don Quixote. Don Quixote tells Sancho Panza that he strives to emulate the character of Amadis of Gaul, a man who Don Quixote regards as the model knight. He declares "whoever imitates him best will come closest to perfect chivalry." To emphasize this concept, he refers to Ulysses, stating that "the man who wishes to be known as careful and patient should and does imitate Ulysses." If I, in following this theory, chose to model my behavior after Ulysses, Greek mythology would truly be the precedent behind all my actions. However, I desire not to become patient and careful, so Ulysses would not be my model. I wonder if there are heroes who I would like to emulate, though. I've looked through the index of names in The Metamorphoses and I cannot find a single person who I'd wish to model my life after.
The point Don Quixote makes is that these heroes are depicted "not as they are, but as they should be." This is essential because they are setting the standard for whatever sort of heroism they are meant to depict; the standard is unattainable, but exists as a compass. It seems Ovid depicts his characters as they are and that is perhaps why I find none who I wish to imitate.
Just a side note: I see that one who strives for carefulness and patience might also imitate Penelope. Her patience and carefulness are just as endearing as Ulysses', but her story is not laden with violence and adventure, so her tale is never told from a heroic standpoint. I think we are due for a modern retelling of the Odyssey from Penelope's perspective.
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