Our cultural definition of the hero has not changed from the ancient period to modern day. Some people believe that heroes have qualities such as superhuman strength and powers that can kill monsters more powerful than any human being. While others believe that heroes are not just about saving other people’s lives or doing good deeds, but they can be leaders who impact other’s lives by having good qualities and achieving them. The critic and author of Beowulf, John Leyerle, suggests that the two roles of a hero and leader are incompatible with each other when becoming a better hero makes them less of a leader and vice versa. He believes that it is either one or the other and can't be both. As a hero, there are many challenges that they face …show more content…
According to the text, he says "Let them know it's Odysseus, raider of cities" (1325). This is significant during the cyclops episode when his self pride takes over, he gives away his identity, and leads his men to be eaten. The Cyclops’s curse literally changes the course of Odysseus’s journey home. Instead of smooth sailing to Ithaca, Odysseus was tested and tempted further, causing his homecoming journey to last 10 years. The burden of his crew's deaths will stay in Odysseus’s bad reputation. Odysseus has great wit and cunning tactics, but also fights for a noble, selfless cause to protect Ithaca. It is believed that heroes must be able to apply their abilities toward a beneficial and selfless cause, which is where he makes wise choices to achieve homecoming. Along the way, Odysseus practices self restraint, with which he protects the people he cares about by not putting them at risk of death. Finally, Odysseus has the ability to make wise decisions based on logic. These traits define a true hero who doesn't fight for selfish reasons or fail to show wisdom in his emotion-driven decisions. Therefore, Odysseus better defines the ideals of heroism. In Polyphemus’ cave, Odysseus uses his wit to escape and save as many of his men as possible. He gives the Cyclops wine to make them drunk, and claims that his name is Nobody. When Odysseus blinds the drunken Polyphemus, the other …show more content…
2 lines 16-23). He also teaches that change can be good and can have a good impact on an individual and the people around them (pg. 81-92). These signs seem to make him sound like a good leader. When he defeats Ishtar, his unselfishness will also make a good reputation for himself and his loved ones which benefits his leadership role (pg. 44-47). Gilgamesh is a king in his own community and is known to take on challenges of Uruk and goes on different quests to defeat creatures. He was also a leader who is disrespectful and really cruel to other people's feelings until he met Enkidu. Gilgamesh's hero journey happens to be in a different community that calls for an adventure and conquer creatures that look different than the hero's home. During his journey, he comes across challenges such as the event when he kills Humbaba (pg. 27-33). He also goes through a down-spiral into an abyss when Enkidu dies which makes him feel vulnerable (pg. 63-68). When Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh realizes there's no room in life to be a selfish king. So, he pulls it together and becomes a wise and admired ruler/leader. Once he returned with Urshanabi to Uruk, Gilgamesh set about "restoring the sanctuaries (or: cities) that the Flood had destroyed" (1.42). He began architectural projects that benefited the city of Uruk such as "mountain passes" and wells (1.37-38). As a result he became a "hero," a
The idealization of Gilgamesh success will help its ethical structure. However, in the beginning of the epic Gilgamesh was very arrogant by the gods and so the people of Uruk decide to teach him a lesson. They sent Enkidu. At first they were enemies and soon after they became friends during their dangerous journey. It has been a long time Gilgamesh needed a friend and we learned that in the epic they teach each other some lesson and their friendship grow stronger. They were now brothers and they both show some weaknesses but they teach each other how they can conquer it. During the whole journey Gilgamesh has truly changed for the better. So, the people of Uruk can learn from their ruler. They realize that the king has risked his life and that the people of Uruk ethical structure was created. They had specialized occupations and the most common work was architecture. They were the ones who build the strongest and tallest walls to make sure that the accomplishments of Gilgamesh will remain forever. The people of Uruk were also educated, they were the first city to ever discover literature and writing. Gilgamesh was amazed by his people and he was content with everything now since all he was worrying about was being immortal. Yet, his people and the creation they construct made Gilgamesh immortal. The structure of the community must also be equal since Gilgamesh is working hard for his people,
A hero not only needs to be physically outstanding, but he also needs to have integrity, moral values and needs to act without thinking in his own benefit. Beowulf has many characteristics of a hero but he also has some defects that make me think that he wouldn’t be considered a hero in today´s world. A hero concept evolves with a culture, Beowulf has many things that the Anglo-Saxons viewed as heroism but he misses many things that are important for a modern hero.
Once he and he men are sailing away from the Cyclops, Odysseus cries back to the Cyclops “if anyone ever asks you how you came by your blindness, tell them your eye was put out by Odysseus, sacker of cities, son of Laertes, who lives in Ithaca.” Odysseus has regretted his earlier decision for Polyphemus to not know his true name, because it means that anyone hearing the tale of a man defeating a Cyclops will not know that it was Odysseus who did it. The arrogant Odysseus does not like this, because he wants all tales of his prowess to be known for his. As he cannot let the chance of more fame escape him, he reveals to Polyphemus his true identity. This sentence, with which he risks the Cyclops throwing a boulder onto their ship, show the readers just how arrogant Odysseus is. It helps the readers understand quite how willing Odysseus is to risk anything if it will add to his
Gilgamesh is the king of Uruk, one who is macho, irresponsible, and simply not fit to be in the position that his blood status has put him in. His decisions are constantly making the people of Uruk
Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus earns the title of a true hero by conveying many qualities such as: determination, courage and leadership.
The question has been raised as to whether or not Odysseus, the hero of Homers The Odyssey, is an epic hero. An epic Hero portrays many classic properties, including being very strong and courageous. Odysseus is an epic hero, because he portrays many of these and other traits, such as having a goal that is foremost in his mind, and having descended into the underworld.
Gilgamesh was a very self confident and at times that self confidence led to him to have little compassion for the people of Uruk at he beginning of the story. He was their king, but not their protector; he kills their sons and rapes their daughters. He felt like he was superior to others due to the fact that he was two-thirds god, his mother was a goddess Ninsun and one third human. This fact is the key to all of his actions. This is also what sets him apart from the hero Odysseus.
Most of us have heard of modern day heroes such as Spiderman, Superman, and the Hulk. Each is a hero to many children. Heroes are introduced to people early on in life usually as fictional characters, but as children grow older their perceptions of heroes alter. The characteristics of a hero are usually based around the ideas of a society or culture. In the epic Beowulf, the main character is thought of as a hero. Beowulf, a pagan warrior and the main character of the epic, shows certain characteristics such as bravery, loyalty, and generosity, which portray him as a hero. It is interesting how modern day heroes show the much of the same qualities as Beowulf.
Odysseus displays his desire for glory through his careless actions during his encounter with the Cyclops Polyphemus. The desire for glory Odysseus displays is shown through the words he speaks to Polyphemus. He is a clever character but makes rash decisions that affect the outcome of his original goals and intentions. While Odysseus is trapped inside of the cave of the Cyclops, he begins to taunt Polyphemus. “I called back to the Cyclops, stinging taunts: So, Cyclops, no weak coward it was whose crew you bent to devour three in your vaulted cave—with your brute voice! Filthy crimes came down on your own head, you shameless cannibal” (Fagles, 226). Odysseus was insulting the Cyclops, and those insults caused the rage of the monster to boil over. The Cyclops was already angry with Odysseus blinding him, and was even more demoralized and angry when Odysseus began to taunt him. As Odysseus goes on with his insults and as his anger rises, he says, “Cyclops—if any man on the face of the earth should ask you who blinded you, shamed—say Odysseus, raider of cities, he gouged out your eye, La...
Gilgamesh is a character that evolves throughout The Epic of Gilgamesh. The lord of wisdom, Gilgamesh realized he did not know everything. He humbled himself to lessons of life. As Gilgamesh progresses he becomes less interested in worldly pleasure and more in tune with the value of life and the reality of death. Gilgamesh evolves into a better king because he allows all his challenges in life to make him better and more humbled. Gilgamesh says before his death, “For myself I have gained nothing; not I, but the beast of the earth has joy of it now.” (Gil.
The main character of the Odyssey, Odysseus the King of Ithaca is given a complex personality to an extent where it is hard to identify whether he is a true hero or not. True heroism is only achieved when a person achieves certain qualities that portray heroism. Odysseus is not a hero based on the standards of merciful, selfless, and gentle because of his actions of sacrificing his men, killing the suitors and being ruthless throughout the Odyssey. Along with many others qualities these three are helpful and necessary in a hero. A hero must be willing to do service for others and put the needs of others safety and protection before his own. Odysseus does not even come close to matching these qualities because he is a person, who only serves of himself, and he sacrifices his allies to achieve his goals and often he takes action ruthlessly.
Some of Gilgamesh’s qualities are that he had a “beauty… surpassing all others” and was “two thirds… god and one third man” (13). Before Enkidu, Gilgamesh acted horribly. He was a terrible ruler and a terrible man. Gilgamesh was not all good, for example, “his lust leaves no virgin to her lover, neither the warrior’s daughter nor the wife of the noble…” (13). He was a terrible ruler. Gilgamesh was arrogant, but very powerful in his country. His people had no choice but to listen to him. They were forced to go along with his unlawfulness and stubbornness.
Gilgamesh ignored many of these kingly duties and was eager to become heroic and godly. "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" (George, Tablet I 67-69). The beginning of the epic depicts his kingship as tyrannical and immoral, which could go without question or complaint unless the gods will it. Although considered great for his many feats such as his great walls and military expeditions, his faults could not be questioned by the commoners, which show a flaw in Mesopotamian kingship. Therefore, the gods ask Anu to create a counterpart to Gilgamesh to balance his oppressive reign. "Let him be a match for the storm of his heart, let them vie with each other, so Uruk may be rested!" (Tablet I 97-98). Enkidu, Gilgamesh 's counterpart, was initially created as a wild, uncivilized man rather than a demigod king. His position was to serve as a person that would try to prevent Gilgamesh from becoming so lofty and boastful and to make him become mature and make rational decisions. This becomes evident in Enkidu 's first encounter with Gilgamesh at the wedding: "For the goddess of weddings the bed was laid out, Gilgamesh met with the maiden by night. Forward
A hero is someone that helps others no matter what the situation. There are many qualities that a hero must posses such as bravery, courage, strength, intelligence and honor. These qualities alone are not enough to make a hero. They must also be pure at heart, fight for the good of mankind and only fight when it is to protect the people and not out of revenge. Beowulf is everything a hero should be, but contains a few qualities that a hero should not posses. When Beowulf sailed with his men to Herot he had one goal, to rid the hall of Grendal. Beowulf was under no obligation to destroy Grendal and never asked for anything in return for his services. A true hero would never ask for money or anything of value. He put his life at risk to save the people of Herot, who he didn’t even know, out of his own good nature Great strength has been a trait that has been identified with heroes in many stories and legends. Than he saw hanging on the wall, a heavy Sword, hammered by giants, strong And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons But so massive that no ordinary man could lift... (II. 1557-1560) Beowulf possessed great strength that separated him from other men. Being able to use a sword that no ordinary man was able to carry gives the feeling that Beowulf is something more than a human being. It makes him special and causes him to stand out from all other men. Fame is something that makes a hero more noted. Beowulfs popularity had spread all over the world. He never let this go to his head and he never thought that he was better than everyone else because of it. “Your fame is everywhere, my friend,/Reaches to the ends of the earth, and you hold it in your heart wisely...” (II.1704-1706). A hero should not be foolish or full of himself. Unferth said: You’re Beowulf, are you- the same Boastful fool who fought a swimming Match with Brecca, both of you daring and young and proud,exploring the deepest Seas, risking your lives for no reason But the danger? (II. 506-511) A hero should not have to prove to himself or to anyone else that he is brave, fearless or courageous. If he is pure a heart and his intentions are good then he can be considered a true hero.
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