A Hero and Two-Thirds Ancient literature has many great tales of heroes journeying to the ends of the earth to find mystic items, slay mythical beasts, or prove themselves to the gods. The two of the greatest heroes are Odysseus from Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey and Gilgamesh from the Sumarian epic sharing the name. While these two characters are in different areas of the world and from different eras, they have more in common than one might believe. They share several common traits, pride, direction from the gods, and the relationship they have with their loved ones, but Pride is they main flaw shared. This is the reason why the act the way they do. The similarities in the characters show how alike these two legendary heroes are. Odysseus’s pride, appears more subtly in the Odyssey and actually benefits him at the end of his tale, instead of being bluntly obvious and hindering him, as it did with Gilgamesh. His pride stems from his renowned skills in archery and cunning. Both he uses, to his full advantage, when it comes to dealing with suitors in his home. While Odysseus was disguised as an old beggar by Athena's magic and all their weapons had been taken into a storeroom, this hero and his son tricked the suitors into a contest. This contest was to string Odysseus’ old bow and shoot an arrow through the notch in the axe head. Odysseus took so much pride in not only his marksmanship but his cunning as well, since he sets up a contest that he believes that no else could ever hope to make the shot, let alone string his bow. Then as a secondary measure he and his son hide the suitors weapons the night before the contest in order to help him kill the suitors after he won the contest. His pride shines through his character once he... ... middle of paper ... ...given a task, which he almost immediately failed. Upon his failure, he was removed from the premises, but Utnapishtum's wife gave him a consolation. He was to find a plant that granted youth, found it and it was stolen from Gilgamesh in the night by a serpent. With his dreams of immortality shattered, he finally accepts his mortality and tries to make his city of Uruk his lasting monument in the world, becoming a better ruler. Pride, in one fashion or another, led both Odysseus and Gilgamesh through their travels. Both rested their respective stories as a wizened king, learned and worn. They both had families, even if one was adopted, they gave great care about. At a point, their pride hurts their families. However they persevered through their stories, though inevitably Gilgamesh failed in his ultimate goal, while Odysseus succeeded in his goals were more simple.
Although Gilgamesh was forced to battle mythic beasts sent by the gods his most important conflict was with himself where he was forced to face the selfish, awful and wicked person he had become. To understand Gilgamesh’s transition it is important to first understand his background. Gilgamesh was born the product of a man and a goddess. He was a king of the Uruk and
In this essay I will compare and contrast the qualities and plights of both Aeneas and Gilgamesh. These two epic heroes share similar fates, yet are very different in personality.
With the Odyssey, Odysseus learned a big lesson in humility. The greatest example of this is in the last five books or so within the story. He has to dress, act, and live like a beggar in order to regain everything he had lost. While he was a beggar, the suitors treated him horribly. Antinous, leader of the suitors, was the worst of them all. He was the first to mistreat Odysseus and planned to kill Telemachus. He was also the one that would abuse him physically and verbally for some time to come. Also, if that weren’t enough, he planned a boxing match for Odysseus to be in to watch him get beat up. All this was happening and the other suitors were most likely following their leader in whatever he was doing. Odysseus had to control himself the whole time this was happening. If he had lost his temper, the suitors would have killed him, his son, and most likely taken over the kingdom. That didn’t happen though. Odysseus learned self-control and humility. He may not be perfect at it, but going through all the humility made him a better man. Along the same topic, he was a king going through this humility. It would be one thing for a peasant to go through it, but a king? This made it even harder for Odysseus. He had rank above all the suitors and could rightly kick them out of his kingdom. Instead he waits for the right time and kills them all. The “pre-journey” Odysseus would of thought of himself invincible and probably would have died trying to get his kingdom back.
Gilgamesh and Odysseus are two heroes from two different time periods that were both in search of the meaning of life. The epics that the two characters are featured in Gilgamesh, was developed from early Mesopotamia and the Odyssey in early Greece. Gilgamesh was a very popular and it was very valuable to the historian of Mesopotamian culture because it reveals much about the religious world, such as their attitudes toward the gods, how a hero was defined and regarded, views about death and friendship.
In many literary works we see significant transitions in the hero's character as the story is developed. This is also true in the Epic of Gilgamesh with its hero, Gilgamesh. In this narrative poem, we get glimpses of who Gilgamesh is and what his purposes and goals are. We see Gilgamesh act in many different ways -- as an overbearing ruler resented by his people, a courageous and strong fighter, a deflated, depressed man, and finally as a man who seems content with what he's accomplished. Through all of these transitions, we see Gilgamesh's attitude toward life change. The goals he has for his own life alter dramatically, and it is in these goals that we see Gilgamesh's transition from being a shallow, ruthless ruler to being an introspective, content man.
When comparing Homer’s Odysseus to King Leonidas, Leonidas should be considered the greater hero. Leonidas proves his loyalty to his men by fighting alongside them in battle, even as king. Not only does Leonidas fight with his men, he also fight against a tyrant to preserve his democracy. Odysseus on the other hand is not trustworthy, and proves that by having an affair while on his long journey away from his wife, Penelope. Leonidas is a great hero, as well as a great king.
'No two men are alike in the way they act, the way they think, or the way they look. However, every man has a little something from the other. Although Oedipus and Gilgamesh are entirely different people, they are still very similar. Each one, in their own way, is exceptionally brave, heroically tragic, and both encompass diverse strengths and weaknesses. One is strictly a victim of fate and the other is entirely responsible for his own plight.
You may think Jesus isn't an epic hero or you may ask how is he an epic hero, but his story is more of an epic than you would think. On the other hand, Gilgamesh has the story and the characteristics of a good old fashion epic hero, that was brave, a strong fighter, and didn't back down for nothing. But Jesus never fought his enemies he fought them with love, and he was one hundred percent god on earth but Gilgamesh was only ⅔ god. Gilgamesh and Jesus have a good amount of differences. And in this essay I will be explaining the differences and similarities between these two godly figures abilities, the purpose of their quest,and what makes them very different from all humans on earth.
Both The Odyssey and the Epic of Gilgamesh are two incredible stories written long ago. These two epics share many of the same concepts. Such as the nostro (the Greek term for homecoming), xenis (guest/host relationship), oikos (household), and aganoriss (recognition). In both epics these themes are illustrated.
This is a big chain of events that shows courage and knowledge in the poem. When Odysseus first comes home he is disguised by, Athena to look like an old beggar. “‘Why are you bringing that detestable beggar to the palace? He will only disturb the feasting of the men there. And believe me, the Suitors will not stand for it.’” (64). When coming home, Odysseus knew that if he came in as himself he would scare the suitors off which would make it so he can’t punish them for the pain they’ve caused his wife. He was very smart to do this especially with what he had in mind. Penelope held a competition for the suitors to decide which one she would marry. The task was: The first man who could string Odysseus’ great bow and shoot an arrow through the rings in twelve axes placed in a row, would be Penelope’s new husband. “Without the slightest strain, Odysseus strung the bow and sent an arrow whizzing through the handle-rings of the twelve axes.” (69). This shows that, Odysseus has the strength and courage to be patient and prove them wrong and punish them for their crimes. This also makes his triumph clear that he survived a great ordeal. After Odysseus shoots the arrow through the axe handles he reveals himself to the suitors to fight them all. “Odysseus and his men stood over the heaped bodies of one hundred and eight slaughtered Suitors.” (70). After 20 years of traveling
The tales of the two epic heroes Odysseus and Gilgamesh are far different but do share similarities. Both epic heroes have personalities that help influence the outcome of their journey. Odysseus’ personality allows him safe travels home and Gilgamesh’s personality affords him a humble ending. The two heroes both carry great strengths. Odysseus’ mental strength allows him to outsmart his opponents and Gilgamesh’s physical strength allows him a faster voyage. Odyssey and Gilgamesh both set out on journeys. Odysseus seeks Ithaca and Gilgamesh seeks
Gilgamesh and Odysseus both journey in pursuit of what they desire most. For Gilgamesh it is immortality, and for Odysseus it is home. Gilgamesh the king of Uruk and Odysseus, king of Ithaca must face their ultimate struggles and come in contact with their fears and suffering. These men seek for pride and honor on their journeys. Along the way, their fate is being held in the hands of the Gods. Both Gilgamesh and Odysseus search for the meaning of life through knowledge and perseverance, trying to make it alive until the end.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest surviving epic in history, reflected life as it was during the early Bronze Age. Many of the themes that the epic reveals are still valuable today in what it can teach us about how society was in the past. More importantly, Gilgamesh’s story teaches the reader how the lessons of his experience are significant to future generations. Such as, views on life and death and the search for knowledge and immortality. The search for immortality has plagued the minds of men and women for millenniums. However, Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality is the result of tragedy. After the death of a great friend, Enkidu, Gilgamesh fears for his own mortal life.
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.
Of all the many similarities of The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey, the sharing of the main character’s archetype can be considered to be the most significant similarity of the two epics. Odysseus, the main character of The Odyssey, and Gilgamesh, the main character of The Epic of Gilgamesh, both fall under the character archetype of a hero, the man in charge of saving the day. This sameness implies that the two characters had similar fates and characteristics; both had the distinct traits of a hero. Both Odysseus and Gilgamesh were kings, strong, brave, and blessed by the gods. In addition, they both angered a god and suffered from the consequences. In The Odyssey, Odysseus had to change his route to avoid Poseidon’s wrath. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh angered Ishtar which consequently led to Enkidu’s death as a punishment ( “The Epic of Gilgamesh” 29). Both Gilgamesh and Odysseus had elements of arrogance in their personalities, and it was their arrogance that backlashed and caused...