Gilgamesh Pride

119 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Gilgamesh pride essay

The epic poem “Epic of Gilgamesh” is about Gilgamesh, a prideful king that acts like a tyrant to his people, faces problems as the Gods try to kill him, and, tries to gain immortality after seeing his friend Enkidu die. First, one should know Gilgamesh doesn’t value his people or his kingdom(Sandars). In my opinion, heroes should be grateful for their friends,allies,and what they have. Furthermore, heroes should not be so prideful like Gilgamesh and be rude to the people he rules(Sandars). Therefore, the hero’s journey teaches us the lesson that excessive pride is bad because it makes you act selfish and love only yourself when you should care for others especially if you are a king or ruler.

Show More
Related

  • A Comparison Of Gilgamesh And Sir Gawain

    1363 Words  | 3 Pages

    Often, literature is based on several heroes and their adventures. Most especially, the epic stories symbolize different countries, nations, and cultures. The authors usually shape the characteristics of these stars and profile their unique techniques of writing as well as their imaginative power. Gilgamesh is one of the most known heroes, whose character was developed in the famous “Epic of Gilgamesh” as the strongest of men, a fair judge, a brave warrior, and an ambitious builder who built the magnificent walls of Uruk to protect its people. On the other hand, there are some undesirable characteristics that he possesses such as selfishness, and arrogance mostly brought about by the fact that he is part human and part god. He is characterized

    Read More

  • Importance of Loyalty in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    575 Words  | 2 Pages

    The ancient Mesopotamian writing, The Epic of Gilgamesh, gives readers insight into the traditions and customs of the people who wrote it. Like all epics, The Epic of Gilgamesh is the story of a heroic national figure: this epic gives the story of the life of Gilgamesh from his birth as two-thirds god, one-third man to his death. Throughout the epic the importance of loyalty is addressed. In The Epic of Gilgamesh readers see that loyalty is the most important aspect of a Mesopotamian relationship and that there are always consequences for violating trust.

    Read More

  • Epic of Gilgamesh Essay - The Ever-Changing Gilgamesh

    547 Words  | 2 Pages

    The main character in the book The Epic of Gilgamesh, is Gilgamesh himself. In the beginning of the book one realizes that Gilgamesh is an arrogant person. Gilgamesh is full of himself and abuses his rights as king. He has sexual intercourse with the virgins of his town and acts as though he is a god. Throughout the story, many things cause Gilgamesh to change. He gains a friend, he makes a name for himself by killing Humbaba, and he tries to become immortal because of the death of Enkidu. Through these main actions his personality changes and he becomes a better person.

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh is a Failure in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    775 Words  | 2 Pages

    After reading The Epic of Gilgamesh, I have come to realize that Gilgamesh is not a hero, but a failure. His journey does not follow the traditional circular hero’s journey and he does not posses the traits that an admirable hero should have.

    Read More

  • Your Clothes Say More About You Then You Think in The Epic of Gilgamesh

    632 Words  | 2 Pages

    In many heroic tales we see extraordinary changes in the hero’s character as the story progresses. Many of the changes that are seen are small and subtle and are failed to be seen as significant moments. This also holds true for The Epic of Gilgamesh. There are tiny moments in this tale like the shedding of clothes that may be overlooked at first but when analyzed afterwards show a great significance in the course of the tale. In The Epic of Gilgamesh the shedding and donning of clothes is very important because it shows the change in Enkidu and Gilgamesh’s fundamental character as evidenced in Enkidu’s change from wild to civilized and Gilgamesh’s change from exploitive, impulsive king to a wise, responsible one.

    Read More

  • The Transformation of Gilgamesh in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    1766 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh Foil

    733 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, Gilgamesh teaches us to learn from are struggles. Gilgamesh learned from his struggles and used this knowledge to become a great leader. Think of how many people have sat there and cried, or just stood there, feeling sorry for themselves. Imagine if those people had learned from their mistakes. If they had used the wisdom it brought them to do even better things, just as Nelson Mandela had, then imagine what a happier and more progressive place this world would be. The next time you are crying, and feeling bad for yourself remember this: Just as Nelson Mandela knew, just as Gilgamesh learned, it is useless to dwell on your suffering. Use the knowledge that pain brings you in order to gain wisdom.

    Read More

  • Message of Love in the Epic of Gilgamesh

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gilgamesh is an epic of great love, followed by lingering grief that causes a significant change in character. It is the story of a person who is feared and honored, a person who loves and hates, a person who wins and loses and a person who lives life. Gilgamesh's journey is larger than life, yet ends so commonly with death. Through Gilgamesh, the fate of mankind is revealed, and the inevitable factor of change is expressed.

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh's True Identity

    1138 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gilgamesh does not know who he meant to be at the start of his life.

    Read More

  • Free Epic of Gilgamesh Essays: Character of Gilgamesh

    545 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the epic of Gilgamesh, there are many complex characters.  Every character involved in the story has their own personality and traits.

    Read More

  • The Hero Of Gilgamesh And Joseph Campbell's Hero

    1158 Words  | 3 Pages

    Gilgamesh is an example of someone who had many flaws and faced many struggles but, in the end, changed his attitude and became a better person. In the beginning of Gilgamesh, he is described as doing whatever he wants and being juvenile in a way. For example, in the text it says, “he was their shepherd, yet powerful, superb, knowledgeable and expert, Gilgamesh would not leave young girls alone, the daughters of warriors, the brides of young men.” With his second half, Enkidu, they entered into the first step in becoming a hero according to Campbell, the separation, by going on an adventure. At this point in the story, Gilgamesh is very arrogant. While traveling to Cedar Forest, Gilgamesh tells Enkidu, “let me go in front of you, and your voice call out: ‘Go close, don’t be afraid!’ If I should fall, I should have won fame. People will say, Gilgamesh grappled in combat with ferocious Humbaba… ensure fame that will last forever.” Next is stage two, the initiation, of the Campbell’s hero journey. Gilgamesh undergoes a trail to begin his transformation, he must fight the Bull of Heaven. Gilgamesh’s supportive side is starting to show when he tells Enkidu that they will win if they fight together. After killing the Bull of Heaven, Gilgamesh’s confident attitude is shown once again. The next trial he faces is the death of Enkidu. He starts to show emotion when he says, “for you Enkidu, I, like your mother, your father, will weep on your plains… I will lay you to rest on a bed of loving care… and I myself will neglect my appearance after your death.” At this point his character has been greedy and then he showed his fear and supportive side. The last stage in the hero’s journey is the return. Enkidu’s death sent Gilgamesh on an adventure to fight death. From this adventure he learned his biggest lesson from Utnapishtim. He learns to appreciate life, and

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh and Modern Society

    385 Words  | 1 Pages

    The story itself reflects an image of the cultural situation in which it was conceived. One major difference between this ancient society and our own is the way in which we sustain our leaders. Gilgamesh's character, whether based on an actual person or not, is portrayed as a very powerful and proud person. He was created to be better and stronger than common man and he is favored by the gods. This portrayal of a super-human king indicates a deep respect for leadership by those who told this story. Likely, these people lived under the rule of a monarchy in which the King was the all powerful leader and lawmaker. In today's society though, it is not common for one person to have unlimited power. Our governments are designed to divide ruling power between numerous parties; in order to keep any one person from becoming all powerful. Today's society would not tolerate a king who could do as he pleases, even if he were a noble and just man. In the story, Gilgamesh's super-human strength and power are not always convenient to his subjects. "His arrogance has no bounds", and "his lust leaves no virgin to her lover," yet the people respect his authority. The supremacy of Gilgamesh in the story reflects the feelings toward leadership held by that society which created the story. The respect they had for an all powerful monarch is hard for us to understand today. Our society looks down on those who rule as dictators and labels them tyrants and enemies. It is odd to imagine living in a society where a king is to be respected.

    Read More

  • Characteristics of Gilgamesh and Enkidu in Foster's The Epic of Gilgamesh

    830 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gilgamesh was considered a hero because he had many great qualities, such as loyalty, perseverance, and heroism. Although these are heroic traits, he also had his flaws and was self-righteous, selfish, and prideful. Gilgamesh was a great man and was seen as flawless and “perfect in strength” (4). He represented almost a human version of a god; therefore, making it hard to see his flaws because he seems so ideal. He appeared like the perfect man that had absolutely nothing wrong with him. He was very courageous and this was evident when he states, “There dwells in the forest the fierce monster Humbaba, [You and I shall] kill [him] [And] wipe out [something evil from the land]” (18). This statement shows both a heroic quality and a flaw in Gilgamesh. It shows his heroism and how he felt that he could accomplish great things. His statement also shows how prideful he was because he always wanted the glory and wanted to be seen as the hero. This comes from the fact that he was part human and part god and he knew how amazing everyone thought he was and felt that he needed to live up to that expectation. This can be seen as both positive and negative because it shows his determination, but yet shows his pride. Being prideful is not necessarily a good thing because in this situati...

    Read More

  • A Summary of the Epic of Gilgamesh

    849 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh is a moving tale of the friendship between Gilgamesh, the demigod king of Uruk, and the wild man Enkidu. Accepting ones own mortality is the overarching theme of the epic as Gilgamesh and Enkidu find their highest purpose in the pursuit of eternal life.

    Read More

  • Gilgamesh Reflection Paper

    899 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest text in history. Gilgamesh is a powerful king and an awe-inspiring warrior who is 2/3 divine and 1/3 human. I think it is interesting that the epic has so many factors that I can relate to in our current time. There are a lot of lessons that can be gained from reading the epic. The text relates to me as a college student in a various ways. It has a few key experiences that reminds me of my own personal life experiences. The epic is an important text that should be read because it has life lessons for modern humans from centuries ago.

    Read More

More about Gilgamesh Pride

Open Document