For an example, when Gilgamesh’s friend Enkidu dies he is left broken hearted and thinks, “If my grief is violent enough perhaps he will come back to life” (Mitchell, 445). Furthermore, He begins to think the fear of death sends him on his quest for everlasting life, “This fear of death that restlessly drives me onward” (Mitchell, 451”). Gilgamesh has this great fear of death and begins to believe it can be overcome. This quote begins to develop the idea through Gilgamesh’s journey that maybe death can be overcome that there
Hursh Patel IH851 09/30/2013 The Epic of Gilgamesh Gilgamesh, the powerful two thirds God king of Uruk was considered to be a great king in the beginning of this epic. Even though Gilgamesh’s people often complained about him. This womanizing infamous man, lived however he felt deemed. Treated and talked to Gods and Goddesses how he wanted. Yet close to the end of Table XI, Gilgamesh seems to feel emotions one wouldn’t believe he was capable of.
He shows that he does not have moderation and self-control by the tyrannical ruling of his people as well as abusing an age old birthright that robs the bridegroom of his bride on their wedding night (Mason 15). He further shows his lack of self-control and disregard for others by deciding to kill Humbaba, who he describes as “the Evil One” declaring “we must prove ourselves more powerful than he” (Mason 27). This decision proves fatal for Enkidu and Gilgamesh not wanting to accept the death of his friend, tries to search out the one who the thinks can give him the answer to bring Enkidu back. So consumed in his grief, Gilgamesh cannot control himself and destroys the Sacred Stones that would gives him access to the very person he is searching for (Mason 67). Gilgamesh does eventually learn moderation and self restraint, “Gilgamesh said nothing more to force his sorrow on another” (Mason 92).
His fickle favor toward his servants, and not to mention his family, proves his inconsistency and instability. Although appointed by the gods, his reign has exposed the abused and misused privilege of representing the gods in his earthly position. King Creon’s irrational edict stated that any man who dares to bury Polyneices would suffer death by stoning. Is it a mere human’s prerogative to determine another man’s eternal fate? Because Antigone had nothing left to live for, while knowing the sentence of stoning, Antigone defied King Creon’s edict in order to fulfill her duty.
After witnessing the heart wrenching death Paul states “I become faint, all at once I cannot do any more. I won’t revile any more, it is senseless, I could drop down and never rise up again” (32). Paul soon goes on to witness many more deaths causing sadness and annihilation to become a big part of his life. Soldiers get so use to seeing others die they become oblivious to the fact that each individual’s life is to be held sacred and that they only get one. In the book Paul feels that they have no reason to be fighting and that they have been abated to beasts just trying to protect themselves from others who are doing the same.
A gutless fucking wonder!’ When Blacky explains to his father about the storm, Bob insults him rather than swallow his pride and takes his son’s advice on board. The relationship that is shared between Blacky and his father has negatively impacted Blacky’s self-esteem so much that it has led to him not having faith in his own father and to expect no support. During the novel, the desertion that Bob shows toward his son leads Blacky to be more independent, and he learns to expect no support from his father, as he cannot rely on Bob to look after him. The grand final, and Dumby Red’s funeral are examples of when Gary seeks his father’s input,
Death is a very large theme in both The Epic of Gilgamesh and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Gilgamesh is very pride, arrogant and unscrupulous at the beginning of the epic, but as soon as his best friend Enkidu dies, he’s fear of dying. He begins to looking for everlasting life. Sir Gawain also faces death after he takes the challenge of the Green Knight. He shows his fear of death in the book.
In this instance, fate is looked upon as being cruel towards mankind. It seems as though fate took the liberty to destroy life where ever it saw fit. “Fate swept him away because of his proud need to provoke a feud with the Frisians.”(85) Fate also causes death to keep people out of misery. For example, “Fate swept [them] far way sent [his] whole brave high-born clan to their final doom.” Fate made it so that neither Beowulf nor his army would be able to fight in battle ever again. Many were saddened by this event, but they understood that fate is the reason why things happened in this
Another similarity is that they are great warriors and the result from their defeats gives them a divine impact which makes them very influential people. To some degree Hercules is faced with the morality, for the death of his family. For Hercules he is commanded by Apollo to do certain tasks as a punishment for his sins, so that his spirit might be cleansed from evil. It is then that Hercules begun to complete his 12 Labors. Although Hercules completes the 12 Labors he continues to do many more adventures.
He is afraid to show affection, as seen with Ezinma and Ikemefuna. In fact, he is so “possessed by the fear of his father’s contemptible life” (Achebe 18), that he does not heed Ezeudu’s advice regarding the death of Ikemefuna. Okonkwo is afraid of looking weak, so he kills Ikemefuna himself. His deep seated fear of resembling his father is stronger than even love for his adopted son. Okonkwo’s “whole life was dominated by […] fear of failure and of weakness” (Achebe 13), and while this initially aids him in his success, it is also the precise reason for all his immoral actions.