Archetypes In Epic Of Gilgamesh

Many people imagine the word ‘hero’ in different ways. Most conceptualize a man with a strong stature and a He-man-like build. However, brawn is not the only characteristic that defines a hero. Take, for example, a child whose existence disturbs the very nature of the futuristic sphere in which he inhabits, Or perhaps a tenacious king adrift with nothing but his crew and the immense cerulean sea. Ender’s Game, a novel, follows Ender Wiggin, a seasoned warrior, the third of a family of child prodigies on his journey to ultimately save the world.

In today's modern society, we see more and more heroes in our everyday lives. Some people may think of a hero as someone that touched their life in a positive manner while others think a hero as someone that saved lives like Christian F Schilt, a soldier who managed to evacuate wounded marines while under fire. Beowulf and Schilt are perfect example of heroes since their loyalty, honor, and courage are undoubtedly heroic who saved the day for the betterment of society. Beowulf's valiant duties and overall courageous are due to his wanting to better his peers and society that he lives in. Throughout the epic, Beowulf fights demonic monsters like Grendel who takes lives with no remorse.

Thinking Beowulf as a folk hero, he seems to be a real- warrior who is brave enough to defeat Grendel and has no -fear in himself. Besides that, Beowulf depicts himself as a hero when he replied Unferth saying, “the truth is this: /when the going was heavy in those high waves/ I was the strongest swimmer of all" (529-534). When it comes to dying Beowulf wants to make a barrow on his name.

Beowulf was the person who would take up for people that could not fend for themselves. Beowulf 's courage was so

One of the biggest hero qualities Beowulf was his courage. Having the strength of 30 men, he battled against all types of foes and claimed victory. When he told the people that he will battle

Epic Hero Essay The Odyssey by Homer tells the story of Odysseus’ travels after the Trojan war. Along with the journey he took to get back home on Ithaca and the troubles he fought along the way. Odysseus is and example for an epic hero and the model for the modern-day epic hero, Harry Potter. An epic hero is someone who suffers from many things during their journey, but also gain other things that will help them, or end their suffering some how.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient tale that tells the story of a man; two thirds god, one third man who struggles with his destiny and mortality throughout his journey, finally making peace with his destiny as a mortal. Gilgamesh does not fit the model of a hero in this tale, particularly the definition set by Brian Robb, as “his arrogance has no bounds by day or night. No son is left with his father… his lust leaves no virgin to her lover” (62). While he does not fit the model of a hero, this term is irrelevant in this case as his story still follows the model of the Hero’s Journey set out by Campbell and by emitting both negative and eventual good values he becomes more approachable to reader who can be more empathic to his struggles. The concept of the Hero’s journey is arguable a popular storyline for many stories ranging from Epic of Gilgamesh to modern day Harry Potter and is frequently seen in other literature and media illustrating that the concept of hero and a hero’s journey is not a new one however is still very prominent today.

The ancient epic hero is a multifaceted character that embodies a range of virtues and flaws. They are often depicted as larger-than-life figures who are capable of great feats of strength, courage, and cunning. At the same time, they are also flawed individuals who struggle with issues such as pride, anger, and a tendency towards violence. In this essay, I will examine the characteristics of the ancient epic hero, highlighting the three elements that I find the most admirable and the two elements that I find the least admirable.

An epic hero is someone who is characterized commonly on their nobility and bravery. However ,there are more attributes epic heros can posses. For example Odysseus, the protagonist in Homer's retelling of “The Odyssey”, shows many forms of excessive arrogance and pomposity. After conquering Troy, Odysseus and his men set off on their way home.

Beowulf makes known that “no man but [himself] could hope to defeat this monster, [and] no one could try.” Beowulf wants to have this fight all to himself, so he can take all of the glory. He is too selfish to conclude that only he could defeat the monster alone. Beowulf cannot be thought of as a hero because “Beowulf only longed for fame.” Beowulf does not perform heroic deeds just to save the citizens, but to receive more admiration from the citizens.

Gilgamesh is an epic hero because, he part divine, interacts with gods and his story has a series of adventures and superhuman victories. Gilgamesh is a king that shows off his power and enviably shows his weak side in most altercations. Most scholars see him as a historical figure, but I myself think he is definitely an epic hero. He oppresses people who call out to the gods, this is not very heroic, but his other actions will show the truth. Gilgamesh IS an epic hero.

Christopher Reeves once said, “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Although Beowulf was human, he was not an ordinary individual, hero, or king, for he was a man who displayed superhuman qualities in his efforts to protect the Danish and Geatish people. Beowulf, who was established Geatish warrior that spent his life in battle, showed these extraordinary characteristics that made him an epic hero, one who possesses superhuman, almost god-like qualities. Being constantly on a quest, risking his life for glory and the greater good of society, and being superiorly intelligent, courageous and strong are the three most important reasons why Beowulf deserves such a notable

Thesis:In Sophocles play ‘Oedipus the king’,Oedipus is an example of a tragic hero because he changed from a hero at the beginning of the play into a tragic hero by the end by experiencing power,tragic flow,downfall and death. Oedipus changes into a person no can believe of,because in the beginning he was a hero for the city of thebes by solving a riddle to defeat the monster that was killing and taking over thebes. Claim:Before the play Oedipus defeats sphinx and becomes a powerful king,At the beginning of the play people rely on Oedipus’s power and help. Data:For example the priest says “Oedipus greatest in all men’s eyes We pray,find some strength again and rescue or city”. Warrant:From this quote readers can see that how empowered oedipus feels like and how people in thebes rely on him,Clearly this scene represents the power stage of the tragic hero.

In the play Oedipus is the only one that is able to solve the sphinx’s riddle which leads the city to making him their next king. Oedipus was there for the city in a time of need and shows his intelligence by solving the riddle. This act is what categorizes Oedipus as a hero, after saving the city from a crisis it shows he is willing to do anything in order to keep the city going and look after his people. He also does not like to keep secrets from his people, for example when Creon wants to tell Oedipus the oracle in private, Oedipus insists on making the news public to the people. Doing so shows that he wants the people to trust him and wants make it known to everyone that he can be in fact trusted.

Tragically flawed by his hubris in thinking he could outwit the prophecies, Oedipus Rex’s inability to take advice lead him to fall so far that he is now the epitome of tragic heroes. In his desperate attempts to outwit the prophecies he allowed himself to be emotionally compromised, which illustrated the true nature of Oedipus who had ruled with reason for twenty years as ultimately a man of emotion. Even though he had brief moments of mental clarity during his fall the damage caused by and continued need to fall back on emotionally driven decisions cost him his kingship and reputation. Initially Oedipus is introduced as a personable and reasonable man when he himself journeys to Thebes with the intention of saving the city. “I would not