The Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad - 1412 Words

Oral stories often establish comprehensive guidelines of how to live honorably. Specifically, they exemplify the actions of heroes who value pietas: an unwavering loyalty to one’s boss, state, and family. Characters adhering to it reap physical and spiritual benefits; those that do not are punished accordingly. This relationship is clearly evident in the ancient Sumerian epic poem, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Iliad, and Virgil’s ancient Roman epic poem, The Aeneid. This paper will argue that these texts show that honor is attainable only through pietas. It will conclude that complete commitment to pietas ultimately promotes personal growth through the renouncement of earthly desires. The Epic of Gilgamesh†¦show more content†¦As a mortal, Gilgamesh’s presence is a perverse show of disrespect to the gods in itself- a point made clear by each deity he encounters. To then slaughter animals for personal gain (i.e. food when he should be fasting) and not as holy offerings- like during previous quests- is absolute sacrilege. Thus, it is no coincidence that the water serpent seizes the eternal life-granting flower from Gilgamesh’s grasp at the last second (31); rather, it is a deliberate omen intended to teach him humility and understand his destiny. Afterwards, Gilgamesh displays consideration for Ur’s subjects, which is why the gods pardon his transgressions and permit his return to the living. Eventually, Gilgamesh becomes an accomplished and revered king, earning one last reward for his piety- his legacy lives on through oral tradition and song (33-34). The Iliad, starkly contrasts the fortune that accompanies pious behavior to the misfortune of those who reject it. As son of King Priam, Paris has a direct responsibility to protect the people and act as a mediator to appease the gods; instead, he avoids conflict by hiding from Menelaus at the palace in Troy (Lombardo 45-50). This neglect is especially hurtful because the war occurs after he seduces and subsequently steals Helen, wife of the Greek king Menelaus. It isShow MoreRelatedThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad1546 Words   |  7 PagesThe Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad are two extremely different stories, The Iliad being a tale of war (specifically the Trojan War) while the Epic of Gilgamesh is a true Epic in the sense that it is a journey, all about the development of the characters. While there are many different themes throughout both books, one of the most important themes is the way that friendship develops both of the people involved and the way that it ties into the story overall. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Enkidu and GilgameshRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad1183 Words   |  5 PagesIn the epics The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad, heroes Achilles and Gilgamesh have important relationships with characters that directly and indirectly give readers a look at the character we might not normally see. For the mighty demi-god Achilles, this is the warrior Patroclus, whom he has a great respect for. For the tyrannical King Gilgamesh, this was Enkidu, the hairy man sent by the gods. The relationships that these characters have with their companions open these characters up for readersRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad2165 Words   |  9 PagesInstructors’ Name Course Name Date Gilgamesh and Achilles as Portrayed in the Writings â€Å"Epic of Gilgamesh† and â€Å"The Iliad† â€Å"Epic of Gilgamesh† and â€Å"The Iliad† presented conflict between the ancient kings, the gods, and finest warriors with other ordinary community members. Throughout the writings Gilgamesh, the king of Uru Community, and Achilles, one of the greatest Greek warriors, struggled to resolve the conflicts between the gods and their community members. However, Gilgamesh misused his powers to a pointRead MoreThe Iliad, Odyssey, And Epic Of Gilgamesh1466 Words   |  6 PagesThe Iliad, Odyssey, and Epic of Gilgamesh all demonstrate the transformational process of their respective epic heroes through their strengths and weaknesses. Epic heroes such as Achilles, Odysseus, and Gilgamesh all possessed superior qualities that separated them from other individuals. Although their incredible abilities may support the societal perception of strong leadership, their weaknesses caused these characters to hold vices that went against the cultural expectations of what a strong leaderRead MoreComparing The Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad2049 Words   |  9 PagesCharacter relationship simil arities and differences in The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad: In The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad, heroes Achilles and Gilgamesh have important relationships with characters that directly and indirectly give readers a look at the character we may not normally see. For the mighty demi-god Achilles, the person who aids in revealing his feelings is the warrior, Patroclus. Patroclus is a warrior who Achilles has a great respect for, and his eventual death sends him intoRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And The Iliad Essay1397 Words   |  6 PagesThe destiny in Gilgamesh and The Iliad stories are believed to be a power that controls what happens in the future. The story of Gilgamesh and the Iliad destinies are moderately the same in significance of the conflicts and the ways of life both of the stories focused on a significant deaths. The Iliad and Gilgamesh is a remarkable reminder of the way life is in the present, but also how it is a little different. Both stories are similar in goals and destinies and how it affect the main charactersRead Mor e Comparing the Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and Homers Iliad Essay730 Words   |  3 PagesThe Hero in Epic of Gilgamesh and the Iliad    One and the same lot for the man who hangs back and the man who battles hard. The same honor waits for the coward and the brave. They both go down to Death, the fighter who shirks, the one who works to exhaustion. (IX,385-88) Thus muses Achilles, one of epic poetrys greatest heroes. Epic poetry, one of the earliest forms of literature, began as an oral narration describing a series of mythical or historic events. EventuallyRead MoreWomen Of The Ancient Greek Work, The Iliad And The Mesopotamian Epic Of Gilgamesh2549 Words   |  11 Pageswomen were considered inferior creature dependent on their male guardians throughout life. Historic accounts and epics of specific periods describe the role assigned to genders in those societies. This paper talks about the role of women presented in the ancient Greek work, the Iliad by Homer and the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh by anonymous author. Women role in the Iliad Homer’s Iliad contains an array of female characters that are both supernatural and human. The supernatural females or goddessesRead MoreGilgamesh, the Illiad, the Aeneid1661 Words   |  7 PagesAnglo-Saxon era in history, long narrative poems, known as epics become all the rage. These poems were written in elevated styles that presented the adventures of a hero with superhuman qualities who embodied the national ideals. These ideals and adventures were presented through elements such as dreams, courage allowing the hero to overcome great trials, and a major battle scene. These elements, known as epic conventions, created epics that to this day continue to be read and taught throughoutRead MoreSimilarities Between Paradise Lost And Paradise Lost1239 Words   |  5 PagesParadise Lost comparison to three epics of antiquity There are many ways to compare and contrast Paradise Lost with the three other epics of antiquity. The epics are Paradise Lost, Aeneid, The Epic Gilgamesh, and The Iliad. The most obvious difference is era. Paradise Lost is an epic poem from the 17th century and is written in blank verse which is the most modern phrasing method. According to an article on Enotes, out of the other three epics, the Iliad and Aeneid came from the same dactyllic

Fantasy vs. Reality - 915 Words

Fantasy vs. Reality Silently, my senses begin to abandon their rationale†¦who is to say then what is real? The world that we live in, the reality, which we are a part of, is small and thus limited. That is why, in his infinite capacity for potential improvement, man created fantasy. Fantasy is BIG! To a certain extent it is more imaginative, more exciting, and more fun. Fantasy is like a lake where man throws all his ideas and dreams, and then he dives on in from the springboard of imagination. So, jump in to the lake. Why not? Just make sure that when you jump in to the lake you know how to get back from where you came from. Because, no matter how big a fantasy is, to the point that it somehow changes our perception of what is†¦show more content†¦This is fantasy mixing itself with reality, that in the process, it is now becoming hard to determine whether that particular fantasy is still just a fantasy apart from reality or it is already mistaken to be reality itself. Soft trick of sun and shadow conjures the fruits and foliates into tall towers and halls, risen from the windy old streets. This would mean the sun playing tricks by producing shadows. Shadows are kind of a pointer to something, pointing to what is real and yet in itself is not real, just like the imagination. Just as the sun produces the shadow, the mind produces the imagination, wherein both the shadow and the imagination point to something that is real but again, in themselves alone are not real. And so, the sun playing tricks would mean conjuring or summoning the fruits and foliates, which refer to little bits of reality and transforming them into tall towers and halls, which in turn are pinpointing to grand and fantastical images. In other words, simple pieces of reality are then altered into majestic landscapes thus creating a fantasy. And to enhance the image more, the tall towers and halls are risen from the windy old streets. What do we usually find in windy old streets? We find dilapidated and out-of-date houses and structures and yet the image of tall towers and halls are found on those very streets. The very presence of tall towers and hallsShow MoreRelatedEssay on Reality Vs. Fantasy1056 Words   |  5 Pagesexample stating â€Å"that I am here, clothed in my dressing gown, seated at the fireplace, when in fact I am lying undressed between he blankets!† (222). Descartes describes how a dream may feel so real, one might actually think their dream is in fact reality. He goes on further saying â€Å"plainly that there are no definite signs to distinguish being awake from being asleep that I am quite astonished, and this astonishment almost convinces me that I am sleeping† (222). This all lead to Descartes comingRead MoreReality Vs. Fantasy : Quotes Notes1705 Words   |  7 PagesReality vs. Fantasy Quotes Notes 1. â€Å"Now, then, let me look at you. But don t you look at me, Stella, . no, no, no, not till later, not till I ve bathed and rested I And turn that over-light off!(1. 18-19). Blanche is living in her fantasy that she is so young and she is good looking and she expects everyone to say that her physical appearance is very beautiful. She is not accepting the fact that she is going to get old she is not going to stay young forever. She thinks she is taking bath in someRead MoreReality Vs Fantasy By James Cole And Dr. Movie952 Words   |  4 Pages The main theme of the movie is mainly about a thrilling adventure through time travel in a world full madness and mystery. The contrast of reality vs fantasy has a large influence on the plotlines, setting, characters and the theme of this movie. James Cole and Dr. Railly, the two main characters represent the real world events, like being on the run from the authorities. The mission that they faced seen impossible considering the time period they both lived in. But in a futuristic world luck mightRead MoreFantasy vs. Reality in a Midsummer Nights Dream Essay1126 Words   |  5 PagesMarch 2012 Relationship Between Fantasy and Reality in A Midsummer Night’s Dream In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare easily blurs the lines of reality by inviting the audience into a dream. He seamlessly toys with the boundaries between fantasy and reality. Among the patterns within the play, one is controlled and ordered by a series of contrasts: the conflict of the sleeping and waking states, the interchange of reality and illusion, and the mirrored worlds of FairyRead MoreReality Vs. Fantasy : Today s Modern World1459 Words   |  6 PagesReality vs. Fantasy In today’s modern world, our mindsets in fashion are all based on fantasy: new brands, trends and many more. We all live in a society whereby we tend to buy things that are attractive and very unique within our culture. Even though we don’t have enough money for such expensive items such as clothes and many other materialistic things, borrowing or lending money from others would still be worthwhile due to the desirability of the product. In fashion, a question came to mind, whatRead More Fantasy vs. Reality in J. M. Coetzees Disgrace Essay1791 Words   |  8 PagesFantasy vs. Reality in J. M. Coetzees Disgrace J. M. Coetzees novel Disgrace is, on the surface, the story of a wayward college professor, Dr. David Lurie, who is aging into a disrespectful decline. But this story tells of not only the strife and wrenching change that exist in the microcosm of Luries mind, but also the parallel themes that underlie the social, political, and ethical systems that are the reality of present day South Africa. As David Lurie interacts with people and creaturesRead MoreFantasy vs. Reality in Superman and Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone 1899 Words   |  8 Pages Reality and Fantasy are often thought as two worlds which when collided create incredible stories of wonder and mystery. Why no other genre of literature is more popular than that of fantasy right now. Seventeen of the top twenty highest grossing movies in the Unites States and Canada last year were fantasies and of those the top six were based on books or comics (MPAA, 21). Fantasy allows for the unexplained to occur and create s a world separate to that of reality. As such fantasy storiesRead MoreFantasy Vs. Reality Where are you going, Where have you been Essay1205 Words   |  5 Pages Fantasy versus Reality in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates has a constant theme of reality and fantasy running parallel for 15 year old Connie. This short story begins with a description of Connie’s vain personality. The narrator describes her as pretty and self-centered (Oates 421). To emphasize her selfishness, Connie is contrasted with her sister, June, who is chubby, plain, and well-behaved. Connie’s mother alwaysRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet 847 Words   |  4 Pages Elena Ehrlich Mrs. Stensaas Hour 1 Hamlet Final Paper Motif Paper - Seems vs. Is The play, Hamlet, takes place in the Renaissance era, and readers are exposed to the golden age of English writing as well as its featured complexities. Shakespeare’s work features young Hamlet’s life after his father’s passing. Hamlet shows that death is a hard occurrence to heal from. Hamlet reveals both the negative and positive events that arise because of it. Prince Hamlet does not alleviate from his father’sRead MoreSeparating the Flames of Reality Essay577 Words   |  3 Pagesfrom the ashes, Dee was reborn as Wangero. However, the night of the fire a flame of conflict was born for her mother. The conflict of Maggie, the younger sister, vs. Wangero flamed into a choice between a wish and reality. By choosing Maggie to own the quilts, the mother symbolically chose to reject Wangeros Wish for the reality of Maggies Everyday. Flames from the night of the fire burned over Dees sister, Maggie. The fire burned her hair and pieces of Maggies dress. After the fire

John Proctor Character Analysis Example For Students

John Proctor Character Analysis John Proctor is a character from the Crucible, a play by Arthur Miller, Throughout the play he changes from being a troubled, self-exiled, sinner to becoming a person of high moral standards. The characters in this play are simple, common people that live in the town of Salem in the year 1692. There is a rumor of witchcraft floating about in the town that has led to accusations about many of the townsfolk. The accused are charged and convicted of a crime that is impossible to prove witchcraft. The reasons the villains select the people they do for condemnation are both simple and clear because all of the accusers have ulterior motives, such as revenge, greed, and covering up their own behavior. The three major points I will be talking about in my essay about are as follows: 1 His entrance into the play where he is talking alone to Abigail and trying to convince himself that he is not an adulterer and that they did not have an affair. 2 when John is reciting the Ten Commandments. 3 where John tells Elizabeth that he are going to confess. In the beginning of the play John Proctor is introduced as a farmer in his mid thirties, that is not a partisan of the town, and shows a very strong sense of self-preservation. The first real conversation he has with another character is with Abigail Williams, where Abigail is trying to make John tell her that loves her, and that he will come again for her. John tells Abby that their affair is over with and Abby begins to plead for Johns love and he says Abby I may think softly of you from time to time. But Ill cut off my hand before Ill ever reach for you again. Wipe it out of mind. We never touched, Abby. John knows that he really did have an affair with Abby, but the fact that he denied it shows how in the beginning of the story, he was a man only concerned with only his own self preservation. Despite his adulterous behavior John Proctor is a man that often serves as the only voice of reason during the play. In act two, in the scene where Reverend Hale asked John to recite the Ten Commandments, and John recited all except for adultery. This scene shows that John isnt just pretending he didnt commit a sin, but that in his mind the sin of adultery doesnt exist by itself, it had to be triggered by Elizabeth telling John that he forgot, adultery as one of the commandments. It is from this point on that John Proctor seems more willing to accept the consequences of his behavior. I will fall like an ocean on that court! Fear nothing Elizabeth. Now John has a purpose for direct involvement in the trials, it is the fact that Elizabeth has now been accused of witchcraft. Since John knows she is innocent his statement above shows his will to make sure his wifes image or life isnt destroyed by the false accusations of Abigail. A man will not cast away his good name. You surely know that. This quote shows how in the middle of the story John fells that his name is the only true thing a man has. This quote comes from the courthouse scene where John tells the judge that the girls danced naked in the woods. After Abigails dramatic reaction, John tells the court that he had an affair with Abby, and that she is a whore not to be trusted. At this point John asks that the court see it is only Abigails vengeance that Elizabeth is guilty of. In the final act John Proctor decides to confess to the crime. I have been thinking I would confess to them, Elizabeth. What say you? If I give them that? It is at this point that John realizes that his name is no longer as important as he once thought. let them that never lied keep their souls. .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 , .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 .postImageUrl , .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 , .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670:hover , .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670:visited , .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670:active { border:0!important; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670:active , .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670 .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u5215d5075144cf2f87a13f1d3f7b5670:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: How do Durrenmatt (The Visit) and Ibsen(A Doll's House)use the institution of marriage to comment on their respective societies EssayIt is pretense for me, a vanity that will not blind God nor Keep my children out of the windà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ But the good name of honest people like Rebecca Nurse still has a profound importance, and John feels that importance. Now John has a burning desire to live and is ready to confess, but just as he signs the confession he snatches it up and rips it in half, because he doesnt want his name to be scorned in the village. It appears as though John Proctor has come full circle and now refuses to hand the confession over to Danforth. Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live without my name? I have given you my soul; leave me my name! He realizes that the only thing in this world that he can hang on to is his name, his honor, and the truth. John Proctor story is the heart of the play. He represents both the cowardice and courage that Miller sees in everyone in the play, and in the world, caught in dangers beyond their control. His initial reaction is to protect himself only. With time he believes that he needs to protect others, not only himself. But in the end he comes to realize that all he can do and must do is to protect the truth, even at the cost of his own life. By doing so he finally saves his own name, his truth, and his life, in a different way. This is what Miller is trying to tell us, that there are some things more important than life itself.

Random Family - Analysis free essay sample

An Analysis Sex, drugs, family, children, money, and prison are all complicated things that are reserved for adults to worry about in ordinary circumstances. In the book Random Family by Nicole LeBlanc, teenagers and young children are forced to learn to navigate multiple adult worlds and to constantly have to â€Å"change hats† depending on their specific situations. In only 400 pages of text, multiple characters in the novel have had multiple children and partners. These same characters have experimented with drugs, sold drugs, covered up for others who are dealing drugs, gone to jail, and gotten out of jail; all within an pproximate10- ­? year span. The sociological exchange theory can be applied to many different parts of this novel, which will be discussed below. Also, there are three major undercurrent themes in this novel that will be discussed in great detail over the course of this essay and they are: cultural perspectives on relationships; multi- ­? partnered fertility issues; and childhood adultification. We will write a custom essay sample on Random Family Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The sociological theory termed exchange theory, â€Å"views people as rational beings who decide whether to exchange good or services by considering the benefits they will receive, the costs they will incur, and the benefits they might receive if they ere to choose an alternative course† (Cherlin, p 22). This is definitely seen in how Jessica navigates her relationships. For Jessica, love was the most interesting place to go and beauty was the ticket. She gravitated toward the enterprising boys, the boys with money, who were mostly the ones dealing drugs - ­? - ­? purposeful boys who pushed out of the bodegas smudged doors as if they were stepping into a party instead of onto a littered sidewalk along a potholed street. Jessica sashayed onto the pavement with a similar readiness whenever she descended the four flights of stairs from the apartment and emerged, expectant and smiling, from he paint- ­? chipped vestibule. Lourdes thought that Jessica was a dreamer: She always wanted to have a king with a maid. I always told her, Thats only in books. Face reality. Her dream was more upper than herself. Lourdes would caution her daughter as she disappeared down the dreary stairwell, God aint gonna have a pillow waiting for your ass when you fall landing from the sky. (LeBlanc, p. 5) The passage above is taken from the very beginning of the book and it provides insight into how the social exchange theory can be applied to Jessica’s situation. Jessica is described as a very attractive young woman, and the reader is hown how Jessica views possible partners of the opposite sex. As Jessica chooses her next partner she always looks for qualities that provide her some sort of stability, be it financial or physical. The same is true for the partners who are considering Jessica. Her potential suitors often see Jessica’s physical beauty as worthy of the exchange of their goods. This theory is also at play when it comes to who has the power in the relationship. There is a lot of infidelity that takes place in this novel. But what is extremely interesting is that when a male character has multiple women on the side, it is the job of the â€Å"main woman† to gain he attention of her man. However, if this â€Å"main woman† has an affair, the boyfriend then seems to have to really contemplate whether or not they will stay together. The reason that the male in the relationship can exhibit so much frustration as a result of infidelity (even though he himself is doing the same thing or worse), is because of this exchange theory.