“Malcolm ). Malcolm Malcolm is a modern hero, similarly Odysseus is an epic hero. An epic hero is a larger than life figure, embodying a nation or race; the hero usually undertakes long and dangerous journeys and performs great deeds that require courage and courage. Both Malcolm Malcolm X and Ulysses both overcame difficulties in their lives. Odysseus experiences hardship when he returns to Ithaca, Odysseus faces the lotus eaters, the Cyclopes, and Poseidon. The Lotus Eater is friendly and hospitable, but the plants they give to Odysseus' men make the men unaware of what is happening, so Odysseus saves them and calls his men “all aboard; come, clear the beach and let no one taste the lotus, otherwise you will lose hope of home.” The great Ulysses also faces the Cyclops who "caught two of them in his hands like wriggling puppies to split their brains, splashing the floor". Similarly, Malcolm X struggles in his early life; Malcolm and his family are forced to move twice before Malcolm turns 4 because Ku Klux Klan terrorists burn down his house and kill his father. When the police reported the incident they called it an accident. He tells his teacher that he wants to be a lawyer when he grows up, but his teacher… middle of paper… acted like one, regardless of color” (Gunderson 20). Malcolm and Odysseus are both heroes, one who lived before a thousand years ago and one who lived before about 40 years ago. Both are considered heroes from the known struggles they had in their lives. Malcolm's struggle has been in most of his life from his childhood until he was shot 16 times by members of the Nation of Islam and Ulysses fought to return to his country and it took him. 9 years before his return to Greece where he saw bitter days. The great and wise Odysseus is the leader of a Greek army group when he fought for victory and Malcolm is the leader of the African American Unity, a non-religious organization where only blacks can be members of the organization to spread the peace, freedom and respect to all races and peoples of the world.