Retellings of ancient myths often have details that differ from the original, and each other. The Greek myth of King Midas follows a greedy king who wished that everything that he touched would be gold. There are various retellings, and they both involve different aspects of the original, and create their own elements. The Golden Touch by Nathaniel Hawthorne involves King Midas, a king who values gold greatly, but loves his daughter Marygold more than anything, including gold. He is given the golden touch, and ends up turning his daughter into gold. In the end, his gift is reversed by water from a nearby river. King Midas by Howard Moss is a series of poems entitled “The King’s Speech”, “The Princess’s Song”, and “The Queen’s Speech.” The king …show more content…
King Midas in both stories is similar because he regrets the choice of his wish, but he is different because in Hawthorne’s iteration, Midas’s gift is reversed, and there is resolution. Additionally, Marygold and the Princess are similar because they are against the golden touch, but they are of different age. To begin, the portrayal of King Midas in the stories is similar due to the fact that he regrets the wish that he made. For example, in The Golden Touch, “I would not have given that one small dimple in her chin for the power of changing this whole big earth into a solid lump of gold.”(Hawthorne 76) In addition, in King Midas, “Than be the reigning King of this dominion where gold makes poor the richness of decay. O Dionysus, change me back to clay.”(Moss 38) In The Golden Touch, Midas laments over his daughter turning into gold, and he is deeply distraught. Furthermore, in King Midas the king wishes to be turned back to clay than to continue to be the king of his new kingdom of gold. They both show regret over their actions, and they are both inflicted with negative emotions due to their poor choices. Though they are retellings of the same character, their stories have different
Gilgamesh is not only a character of a story; he is actually a portrayal of people and how they act out of human nature. He, like many of us, does not want his existence to end when he leaves this world. He is not content with what he has, good looks, money, and power, and desires more in life. The Epic of Gilgamesh is a story that we, as people, can relate to. There are similarities between Gilgamesh’s journey and our own journey through life. Some of the texts that will be compared with The Epic of Gilgamesh, are the Bible, and Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The characters of these stories are all have that burning desire to be successful in life, which we can relate to. These texts span across different time periods and societies illustrating how human nature, particularly the desire to obtain more than one possesses, plays a significant role throughout written and present human history.
The past is a secret many ponder upon. Either born into riches or rags, no one knows the complete truth of the olden days. The modern short story “By the Waters of Babylon” portrays both archetypes of an epic hero and an epic journey through the perspective of the main character, John. Throughout the story, John is on an adventure, hoping to achieve the level of success he believes his father has. But, learns something that contradicts what his relatives tell him all his life. Knowing both the characteristics of an epic hero and journey allows the reader to understand the challenges and growth in the characters journey.
The story behind the greek myth of King Midas explains the story of his greed compared to today’s world. There’s many components that connect the reality of the real world to the motion of the greek itself. A lesson is learned from his mythology through his greed and foolishness, his judging, and his overall state of being.
Both in greek mythology Hercules and Gilgamesh experience similar burnedens in their stories, although both are only half God they are well respected in their societies. Both of the societies reflected in their stories are similar not just to each other but also to society that existed in the time period in which they were written. Even though the societies reflect the society of ancient Greece they of course have major differences. Women, men, gods, goddesses, death, and loyalty are all valued differently not so much in the stories when compared to each other but differ from how they are valued in ancient greek society.
The Golden Goblet, written by Eloise Jarvis McGraw, is a fictional story about a boy named Ranofer. This story takes place in ancient Egypt. The main character, Ranofer is a boy whose parents have died. Ranofer has a wicked half brother named Gebu. Gebu abuses Ranofer by hitting him and barely feeding him. Together the two boys work in the goldsmith trade, which is their family's business. Ranofer notices that Gebu has suspicious behavior. Ranofer discovers that his brother is a tomb robber and catches him in the act. Ranofer turns his brother into the queen who punishes Gebu by hanging him. Ranofer is offered a donkey as a reward and plans to use the donkey to get supplies to make paper. After all these things take place, Ranofer is able fulfill his dream by creating things out of gold.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has many similarities to The Legend of King Arthur. Although Gilgamesh and King Arthur have comparison they also have differences. The main difference is that one is an Epic and the other is a Legend. To compare and contrast The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Legend of King Arthor, one must first know what the words, "Epic" and "Legend" mean. Primarily, "epic" is a long narrative poem about the deeds of a semi-god, also known as a superhuman hero who's actions are depended on as the fate of a nation, tribe or a human race. This usually consists of an adventure filled plot and is concerned with timeless human problems such as honour, jealousy, war and hatred. These contain gods and goddesses and the setting is fixed in a far distant place at a time long past. Epics are based on legends and myths.
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.
'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.
Temple, Robert, He Who Saw Everything: A Verse Version of the Epic of Gilgamesh. London: Rider, 1991
Superheroes have challenges dealing with their powers. Some challenges they face brings advantages and burdens. Just like today, Greek mythology has its heroes too with special abilities. Consider demigod Perseus, he set out for a mission on killing Medusa. He ran into many challenges and handled them all differently in a smart and clever way. King Midas wasn’t as fortunate in handling his situation of Apollo’s bestowed gift, the ability to turn everything he touches turn to gold. From his experience of his greediness taking over himself, Midas learned to forgive and to not jump into situations clueless. Perseus and Midas are two of my favorite Greek mythology stories because they both showed how people handle their abilities and situations differently, and how people can learn from their mistakes.
“Introduction to Aesop's Fables.” The Chesterton Review, Feb 6. May 2001 XXVII. 1&2 (2001): 17-20. Print.
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.
Many critics agree, “The Gift of the Magi” is, in all respects, an amazing and one of a kind story. One critic says, “Ironically, Fagin arrives at something utterly crucial to the success of 'The Gift of the Magi': that it has everything—an absorbing (if short) narrative drive and a twist ending that makes it wholly original” (Korb). Even renowned critic, Rena Korb, agrees; O.Henry did an excellent job with this story. Though O. Henry wrote many great stories, one of his most famous, and favorite, stories of all time is “The Gift of the Magi.” “The gift of the Magi” is a classic about a couple who sacrifices their happiness for the other. It is one of Henry’s most popular stories by far; even being remade many times. Such a popular story must have a powerful base with which to explain its message. That message is incorporated quite well into a few major themes; though, many different themes were used in this story. These themes ranged from materialism, generosity and love to more subtle undertones like selflessness and poverty. Of course, the most prominent is materialism; though, Henry goes to great lengths to show such a complex theme to his audience. He uses excellent literary devices like setting, conflict, creative syntax, and even figurative language all to his advantage. O. Henry uses many different, complex, literary elements to portray these different themes in “The Gift of the Magi.”
“The Wife of Bath's” from Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and “Federigo’s Falcon” from Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron are two fictional stories that are meant to entertain the reader contained within a larger frame. Each piece develops a tale of honor and chivalry intended to instruct and entertain the audience. In "The Wife of Bath's Tale" The Knight is in desperate need to find what women most want, when he finally does he comprehends women more and lives happily with the one he loves. In "Federigo's Falcon." Federigo is deeply in love with Giovanna; he goes to great lengths to show her how in love he is that he becomes poor.