Maurice Patterson March 11,2009 CH 201.024 Professor Fileva Gilgamesh and Odysseus: True Epic Heroes Epic poems have been around for centuries now and are considered a lengthy narrative that concerns serious subjects pertaining to events significant to a nation or culture and heroic deeds. Common characteristics of epic poems include: tremendous adventures, superhuman deeds, dignified language and a range of literary techniques from dramatic to romantic. The first epic poems, such as the Odyssey and the Iliad, were established through oral tradition and later written down to keep better track of the poems themselves. One key concept of an epic poem is the presence of a hero. A hero in an epic poem is typically an important figure in a legend or history that holds some type of royalty and embarks on a cyclical adventure or quest.
Due to constant appropriations of ‘heroes’ throughout texts, and also the presence of ‘role models’ that we admire and aspire to in our present day, it is clear that society will always need a hero, and the values and attitudes of that hero are variable to the current perspectives and ideas of the time. As Jung elaborates, “Archetypes are the result of a collective unconscious created by the experiences of our ancestors”, reflective of the manner in which the archetype evolves throughout our storied existence, constantly referring to our past experiences and social context. Through stories we discover who we are, and so does the individual who embarks on such a quest, or happens to have that quest befallen on them. Throughout our storied existence, heroes and individuals are provoked to go forth on a quest, or undergo internal discovery after a specific event or condition that forces them to create or find meaning for their existence and leave behind a legacy that
It can also be said that Ulysses refuses to wait for death to catch up with him. This can be evidently seen on line 51: ‘Death closes all: but something ere the end…’ This shows how even though Ulysses knows death will soon come for him, he is absolutely determined not to waste his final days, the latter part of the quote shows how he is determined to use his last days usefully. Another argument that Ulysses is a celebration of old men is that it is an example of male friendship and the spirit between friends. This can be seen in the final stanza, where Ulysses is talking to his mariners about going off on another adventure. The words ‘tis not too late to seek a newer world’ suggest Ulysses is rallying a cry to his mariners to join him on another one of his adventures, and that they should disregard their age and live what life they have left.
When Ophelia dies Laertes is Distraught and isn’t afraid to show this whereas Hamlet loved her but his lack emotion left him without a connection to her at the end of the play. Laertes feels so sad from not only his father’s death but then Ophelia dying that breaks down acting without any use of his brain going to the king and accusing without any proof. Hamlet however reacts very different to death for when his fathers is murdered he has “A little more that kin, and less the kind”. This meaning he suspected someone (the king) but didn’t do anything for he
God! How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable, Seem to me all the uses of this world! This is the first time that the reader sees Hamlet’s inner turmoil as he considers committing suicide over the death of his father but decides he cannot, for the consequence would be hell. It is important to note that purgatory and hell are referenced numerous times throughout the play as a consequence for giving into selfish thoughts or actions. In this particular instance however, this soliloquy also lends to the idea that Hamlet is insane due to the passing of his father.
Some famous series that do this include Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling, Lord of the Rings by J.R.R.Tolkein and Naughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. Although these books have wizards, magic and monsters in them they also have beings with emotions and outlooks on the world that reflect mankind's. Fictional novels also often take themes and issues that are universal and timeless, sometimes directly and sometimes in the form of a metaphor, to put across a point or raise awareness of an issue in an effective way. Some would say the Harry Potter books
Macbeth killed the real king to become king and slowly lost his good side to his evilness and sought to kill his closest friends kids in order to withhold power and the kingdom. Gilgamesh on the other hand as the story progressed learned the value of friendship and what it means and he was willing to give up everything for his lost friend, just for him to be able to speak with him again. These two literary works can show you how two different worlds thousands of years apart can still be similar in a way or another. How a kingdom is ruled and how a King is followed and valued in a society. Two Great Stories from two
His only solution to escape sadness is to leave the living to join the world of the dead but at this moment of the play, Hamlet his not able to take this decision yet. 1. To live among the dead : a deep mourning This passage is the continuation of the previous one but it’s the very first time that Hamlet is alone on the stage, addressing both God and the audience in a monologue through which he expresses his sadness caused by the loss of his father. a. The praise of a dead father In this excerpt, Hamlet makes a short description of his father which can be seen as a funeral oration, even though it does not take place on the day of his funerals.
These classical mythologies are a rich source of inspiration for both author and audience, as each allusion contains its own historical background that helps build up the structure of the story. Therefore, the mythological references provide a more comprehensive depiction for the entire storyline and more importantly, for King Henry’s status as a successful king. The first mythological reference is first illustrated in the prologue, which it helps set out a general tone for the storyline and foreshadow the focus on the events. The Chorus, who functions as a narrator in the play, made an epic invocation by stating, “Muse of fire” (1.Prologue.1) in the prologue. He appeals urgently to his audiences to use their imagination to establish the best story possible despite the visual limitations of the stage.
In this quote, Hamlet ponders whether he should live and suffer the hardships of his life or die in order to end suffering. In this quote, it can be inferred that Hamlet thinks that life is synonymous with suffering. The reader can tell that Hamlet is tired of his life and how everyone can keep living their merry lives without the king, his father. The reader can feel this by the negative words that Hamlet says; such as, “suffer,” “troubles,” “outrageous.” The reader can also get this feeling when reading the suffering he sees with life: “"whips and scorn of time, Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely, The pangs of disprized love…”(III, i, 70-74). Also here he is using words that are related negatively too, “whips,” and “scorn.” It seems like during this soliloquy Hamlet tends to lean more toward suicide.