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Whereas the perception and description of Gilgamesh changed from rash individualism to a more hesitant and socially conscious figure, the perception of Odysseus -- along with the other Greek heroes -- changed from the rather unflattering view that historical records took of him and became a more important individual with great heroic qualities. This reflects the differences both in the societies and the times and situations that produced both the standardized Epic of Gilgamesh and Homer's the Iliad; the former celebrated the growing social consciousness of its hero, and the latter celebrated the greater individual achievements as a way of singling out individuals.
There are also some qualities of heroism that are common to Odysseus and Gilgamesh in most of the accounts regarding them. According to renowned historian Will Durant, the basic standards of male heroism during the hunting stage and in early civilizations were "acquisitiveness, pugnacity, and ready sexuality" (Durant, 2001). Interestingly,...
Again, this could very possibly illustrate the rise and progression of Sumerian and Babylonian society during the centuries between versions, whereas the change in Odysseus might reflect the degradation of Greek society.
Heroes exist in all times and places. What makes them heroic, however, is subject to change. This examination of two ancient heroes makes this fact very clear.
References
Durant, Will. (2003) Heroes of history. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Epic of Gilgamesh. Accessed 6 March 2009. http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/mesopotamian/gilgamesh/
George, a. (1999). The Epic of Gilgamesh. New York: Penguin.
Herodotus. The history of Herodotus, George Rawlinson, trans. Excerpted in Understanding the Odyssey. Westport: Greenwood Publishing, 2003.
He is a full grown hero who only needs a goal to set him on his journey. Gilgamesh is young and inexperienced, and he needs help to grow and mature throughout his journey, which he obtains from his dear friend Enkidu. Gilgamesh has many lessons to learn, and Odysseus learns too, but he is farther on the road to maturity, and so his journey leads him somewhere he already
World Literature. Social Value Topics of Gilgamesh and Odysseus in the World Literature StatesPeople in fiction have had such a significant impact on societies by projecting personal characteristics and lifestyles. They typically depict human traits such as heroism, vengeance, indifference, and so on. Only well literary works in the world literature that heroic project attributes related to diverse and shared values that society endorses are the Gilgamesh and Odyssey Epics.
He is thinking ahead. Achilles is consumed by the energy of the moment and is not thinking about the future. In modern times, he would be considered an adrenaline junkie, one who is out for the thrill of battle. This is a key difference that supports the youthful exuberance of Achilles and the wise restraint of Odysseus. Odysseus admits that Achilles is a physically stronger warrior and that his own
The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Iliad, and the Bhagavad Gita are three of the most enduring ancient texts in the canon of global literature. All are heroic tales focusing on a strong male warrior protagonist, who endures a series of tests in order to achieve their goals and retain their status as leaders of their community. However, unlike Achilles, the hero of Homer’s Iliad, or Arjuna, hero of the Bhagavad
Pride in Literature As a universally human characteristic, pride plays an important part in world literary themes. However, pride can be defined and perceived differently, and the term also has many different definitions. For example, pride can refer to a dignified type of satisfaction, as comes from taking pride in one's work. More often in literature, though, pride is depicted in a negative light and is usually featured as a tragic
belief systems of Christians and Muslim, particularly in how they view angels. Both religions believe angels exist, and that they are an important part of their religious beliefs. They both believe angels can guide and support people here on Earth, and they are messengers of God or Allah. They also believe they can be vengeful and destructive, and angels play an important role in the stories of the Qur'an