An Epic Hero: The Epic Of Gilgamesh

Odysseus has been fighting in the Trojan war for ten years and runs into many Gods, Goddesses and some monsters who may help him, or endanger him. In Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus is an epic hero because he is on a quest, has superhuman intelligence, and performs brave deeds. Odysseus is an epic hero because he is on a quest. He is on a quest back to his homeland to Ithaca which he hasn’t seen in ten years and his quest turns into a long journey of twenty years.

Overall these different methods of advising lead the soldiers to fight in a way such that glory can be obtained, leading them to be another step closer to leaving their name in

David Ferry, in his translation of The Epic of Gilgamesh explores the idea of change and how it affects people. Gilgamesh faces many challenges such as having to fight the Bull of Heaven, defeating Huwawa, suffering through his own friend’s death, and then eventually facing the ultimate test of seeking immortality. Through these journeys, Gilgamesh meets many new people, including himself. Interactions between people often teach one new lessons they would not have otherwise learned if they had not made those encounters before. Even before this, Utnapishtim offers Gilgamesh any reward he wants for making the long and perilous journey for immortality.

How would you feel upon returning home after 20 years to find your house commandeered by suitors desiring to gain your wealth and power? The epic poem ' 'The Odyssey ' ' centers around the protagonist Odysseus and his journey returning home after the Trojan war. As any other conventional epic poem, the protagonist is an epic hero, which is evident about Odysseus. Odysseus most fits the description of an epic hero in the sense that he journeys, has superhuman strength, and has a major flaw.

Who is the man who is willing to fight for ten years to return to his family stopping at nothing? Who is the man who never ceases in his fight to return home, no matter how difficult his decisions or how grueling his trials are. That man is Odysseus. The Odyssey is an epic poem in which a hero, Odysseus, embarks on a thrilling quest to return back to his home and family in Ithaca after succeeding in the Trojan War. In his several journeys, he faces several hardships that delay this goal.

“The Epic of Gilgamesh” by N.K. Sandars teaches the reader that the epic hero cycle is a heroic person’s journey throughout a piece of literature by illustrating concepts that fit into the series of events. For example, the article states, “Gilgamesh laments Enkidu’s death for seven days and nights… Then the grieving Gilgamesh leaves Uruk” (25) to demonstrate Gilgamesh’s call to adventure. The call to adventure is a part of the epic hero cycle where a person is given a reason to set out on an expedition. In Gilgamesh’s case, he ventures out to find immortality after the somber death of Enkidu (X). To further exemplify the epic hero cycle, the article describes, “So at length Gilgamesh came to Mashu, the great mountains about which he had heard

One way that shows Odysseus being an epic hero, is when he takes part in a more than one year journey. In the end, Odysseus participates in a twenty year epic journey. That is several more years than what is required to become an epic hero. He encounters several challenges along the way. Several times Odysseus shows contempt towards the mystical creatures that he has to fight against.

Odyssey Essay “Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It’s strengthening of his powers of accomplishment” - Thomas Carlyle. In the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus, the king of Ithaca goes upon a journey, and encounters danger and challenges that prevents him from going back to Ithaca, which is his goal. And during the journey, he begins to become an epic hero.

If you were to think about a man with great abilities like being strong, courageous and intelligent, you could think of people you personally or like me, you could think of someone such as Odysseus. Odysseus fits the definition of an epic hero because he is quick thinking, strong and courageous. Odysseus is one quick thinking individual. He has gotten him and his crew out some some sticky situations with his clever plans. One of these plans were how to get away from Polyphemus, a cyclops who was the son of Poseidon.

Notably because of Odysseus’s actions during struggles/fights, he can turn the struggle in his favor. Such as during the Trojan War he devised the Trojan Horse “He told me of the wooden horse and how he would hide inside it with the other soldiers”(p.41) this plan won the Trojan War for Greece. During the struggle with Polyphemus, he devised a plan to escape from the Cyclops,

Odysseus’ bravery in defeating Polyphemus has attributed to him having the portrayal of a hero, for he was able to save not only himself, but his men that have survived alongside

Some situations in life can put someone in a very awkward position. Due to the vast diversity that exists among individuals, there are different responses that arise when one is faced with difficult times. Chris is an Indian citizen and has been battling lung cancer for eight years now. His family is dependent on him as their bread winner. Each passing day makes it harder for Chris to get enough money that he can share with his family of three children.

During the making of the transcontinental railroad, which was the first railroad ever built, they had many difficulties that it took them around 5 years to finish it. Everything came by sea and there was a civil war going on during the first part of the construction of the railroad. Now building the railroad, they needed a lot of money and the only way they were going to get that money from the government was to build the first 40-mile track in the highest mountain in Sacramento. It required thousands of men to work on this track. This caused many deaths from cold and hunger.

When he felt his followers might lose their way and result to violence he fasted for 25 days to show his determination and resolve. Today he is an Icon for many Mexican Americans and like many activist before him he helped pave a better tomorrow for his

“The Return” Reading Questions In order to get the pity from the gods, Utnapishtim challenges Gilgamesh to stay awake for six days and seven nights. Gilgamesh is tempted by sleep constantly, so the Faraway devises a plan to make a visual representation of Gilgamesh’s progress. Everyday of the test, Utnapishtim’s wife bakes a loaf of bread and puts a mark beside Gilgamesh’s head to measure the time. At the end, Gilgamesh is awoken and from looking at the bread, he realizes that he has been asleep.