Gilgamesh and Odysseus Perfect Heros Essay - 1515 Words

Gilgamesh and Odysseus: Perfect Heros Gilgamesh and Odysseus are similar not only in their physical appearances but also in the way the two of them deal with lifes dilemmas. Although Gilgamesh and Odysseus possess great strength and sharp minds, their own flaws blind them similarly, which does not aid in their quest for what they desire. As part of their heroic character, the gods must guide them in order to reach their goals. In every epic from antiquity, the greatest challenge a hero must overcome is not a monster or an evil tyrant but themselves. They wish to have glory, honor, and a place in history forever. Doing something that no one else could ever do again is what a hero desires to do. From Gilgamesh to The Odyssey, epic†¦show more content†¦Thinking they were better than anyone, they blinded themselves to the truth. The truth is that everyone is equal until they can conquer themselves. They are illustrated as being physically perfect and can outfight any man alive. This makes them perfect for describing human weakness. By showing how perfect they are, it is much easier to see the faults that will bring them down and defeat their dreams. Heroes have many flaws that must be dealt with in order for them to learn and to realize the big picture. A common weakness found throughout is pride or hubris. Odysseus had his fate sealed for another ten years because he stayed at Troy to celebrate the Greek victory in the Trojan War, and when he revealed his name to the Cyclops so that it may know who out-smarted and blinded it. Gilgamesh?s fate was decided by the way he treated his people, putting unendurable hardships upon them and the deforestation of the Land of the Living, which was protected by the Humbaba. Gilgamesh was born into partial godhood, his mother Ninsum being divine. Being two-thirds god only made him aspire to become immortal, thus achieving godhood. Odysseus was born into the royal family on the Grecian island kingdom of Ithaca. Becoming king, his ambition to become great fueled his desire to conquer Troy later on. Subsequently, the birthrights of both helped toShow MoreRelatedThe Hero Of Ancient Literature1284 Words   |  6 Pagessurveying the nature and work of Gilgamesh, Rama and Odysseus, all of them have the main characteristics that qualify them as heroes. These heroes’ were determined to do what was right for their town and their families and were set on following their dreams that they had set for themselves. These heroes were looked up to and respected by the people that surrounded them. They were needed because they gave people something to seek for and provide as a positive figure. A true hero is someone who shows and presentsRead MoreThe Concept of God in The Iliad by Homer Essay1214 Words   |  5 PagesThe Concept of God in The Iliad by Homer The American Heritage Dictionary defines a god as 1. 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