Final answer:
Comparing 'Ithaca' to the 'Odyssey' encompasses analyzing both Homer's epics, highlighting their thematic overlap in journey and heroism, and their distinct narrative structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing Ithaca to the Odyssey, it's important to consider that both are epic poems attributed to Homer, revolving around themes of journey, heroism, and the quest for home. The Iliad focuses on the war between the Greeks and the Trojans, while the Odyssey is the story of the hero Odysseus' epic journey back to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Both works emphasize the virtue of arete, highlighting the moral characteristics of the heroes as they encounter various trials and overcome adversity. The Iliad is recognized for its simplistic and "pathetic" structure, whereas the Odyssey is noted for its complexity and "ethical" attributes as well as for its use of recognitions and reversals. These epics were not just tales of adventure but reflections on human nature and the divine, demonstrating that success is determined not solely by physical prowess but by wisdom and moral fortitude.