He says it is the Homeric hero's similarities and differences from gods that makes them both special and noble: "Because of their nearness to and converse with the gods the heroes are seen...as peers of the gods themselves in strength and splendour. Because of their mortal condition they acquire...the moral dignity of effort and endurance", i.e. the fact that they do these very brave things in the face of death (which gods don't face), they are perhaps more noble than the gods.

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