One can understand the values and virtues of a certain culture or society through the hero of the culture’s epic. The hero mirrors the culture’s many virtues through various tasks and battles. In the Anglo Saxon epic Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney and the ancient Mesopotamian epic Gilgamesh translated by Herbert Mason, the valiant heroes Beowulf and Gilgamesh undergo many challenges, proving themselves as a hero, portraying the society's morals. Both Beowulf and Gilgamesh, heroes of their culture, display their culture’s values yet the variation in the values clearly show.
Beowulf and Gilgamesh both rule in their time, but only Beowulf acts kindly to his subjects and treats them well. Beowulf’s people love and respect him, however, Gilgamesh’s people who he rules over does not like his selfish and corrupt way of ruling;
As king, Gilgamesh was a tyrant to his people…
Sometimes he pushed his people half to death
With work rebuilding Uruk’s walls,
And then without an explanation let
The walls go unattended and decay,
And
…show more content…
Gilgamesh ruled unjustly and did not treat his people with kindness, pushing his people past the breaking point, not caring what happened to them. He left his people “dreaming” of the past when their leaders wielded their authority positively. The people longed for a new ruler, someone who would treat them kindly and care about what happens to them. Beowulf, on the other hand, rules kindly and his people respect him; “They said that of all the kings upon the earth/ [Beowulf] was the man most gracious and fair-minded,/ kindest to his people and keenest to win fame” (Beowulf lns. 3180-3182). Beowulf’s people love him and see him as “fair-minded” and “kind”because he rules courteously and sincerely, caring about his people, protecting and keeping them safe. Beowulf puts the welfare of others in front of his own, which made him a kind, selfless ruler, unlike
Gilgamesh, Beowulf and Achille are heroes who possess extraordinary powers. Gilgamesh and Achilles are the products of divine mothers. Their divine blood gives them unrivaled strength and skill needed to be outstanding warriors. As a hero, Gilgamesh is admirable in the same measure as he is arrogant and tyrannical. He saves his people by preventing catastrophic outcomes to the people of Uruk by fighting the beast. He also makes sacrifices when he engages in a battle with Humbaba. Moreover, He deems himself an equal by establishing friendship with Enkidu who is just a commoner but calls him a ‘brother’ and grieves at his death. This shows that he has...
...concerns was fame. He only wanted to build his name. Another way in which Gilgamesh did not demonstrate the same heroic values as Beowulf is the fact that he was not fearless. He was afraid of his own death. We witnessed this after Enkidu died, when he set out on his journey to gain immortality.
Literature has always been an immensely helpful resource when discerning cultural values in societies past and present. Through the study of noteworthy historic fictional and factual, texts we are able to distinguish parallel characteristics present through many different cultures and time periods. These distinguishing characteristics are one of the main things that help us to determine when and how a society, or world culture as a whole changes as time moves forward. When similarities are identified throughout many cultures in the same time period academics are able attach general titles to that specific time expanse. The “Heroic Age” is an example of a labeled span of time that generally maintains societal sameness throughout the period. The epic texts of Beowulf and The Odyssey are examples of culture revealing novels created during the heroic age. The texts help to prove the idea that societies maintain a basic status quo for many years because there is a 1500 year separation in the creation of the books. Despite this time difference in authorship, similar cultural ideals can be recognized throughout each novel. Both Greek and Germanic cultures emphasized the power and importance of receiving and giving gifts as a means of displaying and achieving power. Beowulf and The Odyssey share the general theme of giving, and when comparing the two, it is easy to conclude that giving and receiving is an integral part of both the Germanic and Grecian cultures of that time.
Both Beowulf and Gilgamesh make for great representatives of the term “epic hero” by showing near legendary levels of greatness, might, and strength. However, their differences are significant enough that one can clearly
known in the Bible as Erech (now Warka, Iraq). According to the myth, the gods
We humans have come to the conclusion that we are forever evolving. Many literary works were created to preserve world views throughout the ages. Looking back, we learn about the values of the people who were before our time. There is a stark contrast between the cultures of the medieval world and those of modern civilization; in the fold epic Beowulf (Heaney) and the movie Beowulf and Grendel (Gunnarsson). In these, examples there are clear differences between the materialism and idealism of the past and present. The movie resembles how modern ideas of heroism can also mean feeling sympathy for one’s antagonist, while the epic representing past ideas entitle the hero to be ruthless; the differences are proof that every time period perceives situations such as good and evil with disparity. As values change, cultures change, and
With those who are good shrouded in light and those who are evil relegated to dark and misty caves, the Nordic people’s separation of moral right and wrong is difficult to overlook. An Aristotelian study of ethics depicts vices and virtues on a linear plane, with the mean virtue in the center and its extremes on either side. A deficiency of a virtue, courage for instance, is cowardice, while an excess of courage can lead to rashness (Aristotle). This view forms the basis for my argument that the characters in Beowulf are subjected to a sliding scale of virtue. Wealhtheow, Grendel, and Beowulf provide valuable insight into how the virtues of modesty, steadfastness, and fortitude are perceived by the audience inside and outside the story, as
Throughout history rulers have always been protective of their kingdoms. In hopes of always being in control of their territory, rulers develop special relationships with the people to protect them. This relationship was usually achieved by of instilling fear into the minds of their warriors, or instilling respect between each other. In the story Beowulf the relationship between the ruler and his thanes is that of honor, friendship, and respect.
A hero in literature, as defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica, is the main character of a literary work that is celebrated through ancient legends of a society. Most heroes, especially of ancient lore, have extreme and unlimited strength, skill in battle, and courage, while partaking in war or dangerous adventures regularly. They are always studied in literature, which makes them timeless, because they can help us learn different messages about our actions even in today’s world. In comparison it is concluded that even though Achilles and Sir Gawain were created at different time periods they still have similarities and both show us today how society was in the past. These heroes represent more than just a work of literature, but the value systems of entire societies, which is invaluable knowledge for
For the most part, Beowulf’s characteristics describe those of a triumphant warrior who played a major role in defending the lives of his fellow citizens, while leading a thriving country. Although Beowulf soon became king, he died for his people, and was remembered as a victorious fighter. Beowulf is at least in part a study of kingship because it discusses the qualities that produce a good king, the disadvantages during his rule and how he overcame them, and the problems that arose upon his death.
...fect models for excellence for the 21st century's young citizens. They both exemplified enormous courage, leadership, determination, and most of all, honor. Both characters abided by a code of honor that they were willing to protect with their lives. Today, that trait is at the very least, rare, if not altogether absent from our increasingly materialistic and self-centered society. Both Gawain and Beowulf saw themselves as means by which the end of achieving glory for their society could be achieved. They didn't leech on to society and drain precious resources as do many of today's corrupt leaders. On the contrary, they gave back to their people and lived up to the ancient notion of the "good citizen" as first advanced by Plato. Present society would be the better for it if more people like Gawain and Beowulf were born. They were truly excellent members of society.
Gilgamesh’s exhibition of leadership is much more primordial and archetypal, which is the product of different eras, where the notions of power and the state were at opposite ends of a spectrum, as were the structures that organize people. Although Gilgamesh
This early Gilgamesh is the example of his poor past actions, and how his greed turned him into a monster. “The young men of Uruk he harries without warrant, / Gilgamesh lets no son go free to his father. / By day and by night his tyranny grows harsher, / Gilgamesh, [the guide of the teeming people!] / It is he who is shepherd of Uruk-the-Sheepfold, / [but Gilgamesh] lets no [daughter go free to her] mother.” (67-72, Gilgamesh) Gilgamesh is a warrior of his people. He uses threats and brutality to control his citizens. He rapes the young women of the town, and abuses the boys. This king is abusively powerful and greedy, a hoarder of power. His form of ruling is very similar to the type of tyrants warned about in Proverbs 29:4. "By justice a king gives a country stability, /but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down." Even in ancient times people knew how a malicious king rules, and that people like Gilgamesh define that with their ideas of power. Sumerian society was power centric with a definite hierarchy, and the leaders at the time did have a familiar relationship with the gods. This did not guarantee, however, the common people had no pull with the gods. Gilgamesh may be related to figures in their religion, but gods still worked with the
Throughout time, people of all cultures have told stories of heroes and kings. The most ancient story we have on record is the tale of King Gilgamesh. This story is an account of the King's journeys and accomplishments. Although it was written over four thousand years ago, many comparisons can be made between the society in which the story was written and our own modern society. In this essay, differences and similarities between the two societies will be examined.
The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey both are held in high respect by literature analysts and historians alike for the characterization of the hero and his companion, the imagery brought to mind when one of them is read, and the impressive length in relation to the time period it was written in. The similarities that these two epics share do not end with only those three; in fact, the comparability of these works extend to even the information on the author and the archetypes used. However, The Odyssey and The Epic of Gilgamesh contrast from one another in their writing styles, character details, and main ideas. Both epics weave together a story of a lost man who must find his way, but the path of their stories contrast from one another.