Gilgamesh, Beowulf As A Literary Hero - 1343 Words

It has been a part of humankind since the invention of story to venerate a reflection of what is believed to be the ideal person; complete with strengths, flaws, aspirations, and codes that mold his or her goals, decisions, and, ultimately, fate. Such figures, though imperfect, are celebrated because they are attainable, for perfection is too far beyond the inspirational grip of imagination for many. Each of these heroes, be they Gilgamesh, Beowulf, or Achilles, are motivated toward different goals and take a varied and unique path in order to achieve these goals, which are shaped by the social and political climates in which they are formed. However diverse these character arcs may be, they each share overlapping characteristics that†¦show more content†¦This such loyalty is shared with the acclaimed literary hero Beowulf, who ultimately offers his life in a fierce battle with the dragon for his people. The manner in which Gawain then faces the trials set forth by the Gree n Knight also demonstrates the strict moral code of sir Gawain; that of the chivalrous knight. His dedication to his code of chivalry is no more evident than in his encounters with the lady of Bertilak’s castle; while she incessantly makes advances toward Gawain in his bedchamber, he summons his willpower each time to maintain his code of chivalry and refuse her while remaining courteous. Blekner asserts the moral struggle that Gawain faces in this scene, stating that â€Å"We are always aware that the real threat is not so much the considerable sexual attractiveness of the lady’s flesh as the young hero’s fear of not living up to his worldy reputation for cortaysye† (Blekner 367). The seduction scene not only illustrates Gawain’s heroism through his manner and courtesy towards Bertilak’s wife, but also the humanity in his flaws that makes him a true hero. While Gawain is stalwart in his belief in loyalty to his king and chivalry toward wom en, he is also flawed in that he doesn’t tell the lord of the castle about his prize. In these scenes, Gawain shows a fracture in his otherwise infallible demeanor; a weakness that he isShow MoreRelatedCivilizations and Heroism in the Epic Poems of Gilgamesh and Beowulf624 Words   |  3 Pages The literature of Mesopotamia and Western Europe is a prime example of this. Beowulf, an Anglo-Germanic tale and The Epic of Gilgamesh, of the Sumerians, demonstrate perfectly, the ability of civilizations to convey the values and customs of their society through their literature. The setting for Beowulf is Scandinavia, before the time Christianity had spread its course. Beowulf, the title character is the hero in this tale. He possesses many of the typical heroic traits such as strength,Read MoreA Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh Essay examples1640 Words   |  7 PagesA Critical Appraisal of: Beowulf and Gilgamesh There are many differences and critical comparisons that can be drawn between the epics of Beowulf and Gilgamesh. Both are historical poems which shape their respected culture and both have major social, cultural, and political impacts on the development of western civilization literature and writing. Before any analysis is made, it is vital that some kind of a foundation be established so that a further, in-depth exploration of the complex natureRead MoreThe Epic of Beowulf733 Words   |  3 PagesBeowulf is the oldest anglo-saxon poem written in English. The poem describes the heroic deeds of Beowulf in his fight against monsters. 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Today, movieRead MoreLife of Lam Ang2228 Words   |  9 PagesReview, Vol XXXVIII, No.3-4.(Dr.A.V.Rotor) Selected Stanzas from Biag ni Lam-ang From Franscisco Magana’s Version, Llanes Transcription These are selected stanzas to savor the richness of the greatest Philippine epic in the context of both its literary and historical values. These are parts of a masterpiece believe to be closest to the original version, coming from the recitation by memory by an unknown farmer. How the poem survived oral tradition through centuries and generations holds a mysteryRead MoreEssay about Desire in Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick2921 Words   |  12 Pagesembarrassment of riches variously described as a novel, a romance, and an epic, as a comedy and a tragedy. Indeed, the text is an anatomy of the adventure story in the tradition of world classic accounts of the epic hero from Gilgamesh to the Arabian Nights, from the 0dyssey to Beowulf. Although from a formalist perspective Ishmael is clearly the sole narrator, the tale remains markedly divided in expression; that is, the tone, diction, register, and underlying psychology of the account describeRead MoreClassification of Literature3483 Words   |  14 Pages(does not necessarily end in violence and death). 2. Short Story–is a brief story usually with one character or two and a simple plot. It can be read in a short span of time. Edgar Allan Poe –is the Father of short story and popularized this literary genre. 3. Novel –is an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a connected sequence of events. One example of a novel is fantasy novel which is often set in worlds much different