The Ideal Hero Each culture does have its individual images of what the ideal hero should be, but for the most part, the general definition of a hero1 is universal and therefore difficult to escape. In the cultural epics of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, and Things Fall Apart the idealistic hero is thoroughly depicted. ... Odysseus, like Okonkwo, is considered a tragic hero as well. ... In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh goes from being a tyrant to being a faithful, honest ruler. ... (What an early Mesopotamian hero is supposed to represent.) ...

• Word Count: 628
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

What is a hero? Over time the word Hero has changed. ... Achilles, is known as the greatest and fastest hero on the Greek side during the Trojan War, and is also the subject of Homer's great epic poem about the Trojan War, the Iliad. ... ("The Epic of Gilgamesh" 39). ... Neither Gilgamesh nor Achilles consider having a family life or a romantic relationships with women, and no such thing is discussed in these two epic hero's lives. ...

• Word Count: 1671
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The worlds first epic that deals with death or after life. An epic is a long narrative poem or poetry in lofty style the achievements and adventures of a hero. When we think of the Epic of Gilgamesh its more on the heroic character or style. ... The sum of the Epic of Gilgamesh is the pursuit of everlasting life (immortality). ... The Iliad is simply the a story of the Achaean hero Achilles. ...

• Word Count: 430
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The epic of Gilgamesh is translated by Benjamin R Foster a story whose main theme is finding your strength in adventures. ... She exemplifies strength in woman in the epic of Gilgamesh. ... In the beginning of the epic of Gilgamesh the people of uruk are crying out for help. ... Utnapishtim's wife is a hero. Should be looked at as a hero because she follows her ethical compass and shows compassion for Gilgamesh when he is tired, overworked, and miserable. ...

• Word Count: 1521
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Comparison of Ancient Heroes "What each must seek in his own life never was on land or sea. ... This is true for many hero myths from various cultural backgrounds. ... By adhering to these journeys, each of the characters are, in essence, considered heroes in both the modern and ancient definitions, but to me only a hero that fulfills the storybook outline of being selfless, brave, and respectable, can be an ideal hero. ... Kwasi Benefo is the hero from the African myth "Kwasi Benefo." ... Even though Gilgamesh was considered an ancient hero because of his lusts for glory and fame of the ...

• Word Count: 2309
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

The definition of an epic is "a literary or dramatic composition that resembles an extended narrative poem celebrating heroic feats." In reading the epic Gilgamesh by Herbert Mason I began to understand what an epic actually was, and one thing I leaned was that a heroic feat was not necessarily a physical fight, but could be an emotional battle from within. A feat that our main hero Gilgamesh actually beat was the fear of death. ...

• Word Count: 517
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

The epic starts of with a description of Gilgamesh; the all powerful tyrant. ... The epic illustrates this in tablet one, "Gilgamesh the shepherd of Uruk-Haven, ...bold, eminent, knowing, and wise! ... The epic starts of with a description of Gilgamesh; the all powerful tyrant. ... The epic illustrates this in tablet one, "Gilgamesh the shepherd of Uruk-Haven, ...bold, eminent, knowing, and wise! ... Paired up with Enkidu, Gilgamesh seems to have matured; becoming closer to the standards of today's heroes. ...

• Word Count: 729
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

An excellent example of this is Gilgamesh in The Epic of Gilgamesh. The epic hero, Gilgamesh, faces many conflicts, overcomes them, and emerges victorious on his journey. ... Gilgamesh, in The Epic of Gilgamesh, faced many difficulties, overcame those difficulties, and emerged victorious throughout the epic. ...

• Word Count: 665
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Gilgamesh is not only a hero in The Epic of Gilgamesh, he is a representation of society as a whole. ... The epic is something that a lot of us can relate to. ... The epic illustrates how human nature has the desire to obtain more than one possesses. ... Some humans attempt to challenge their limits, such as Gilgamesh can be seen doing throughout the epic. ... Gilgamesh and Enkidu will be kept in an immortal state for however long The Epic of Gilgamesh is told. ...

• Word Count: 1445
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

A hero is described as a person who is admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. The term hero means different things to different people. Anyone can be a hero, but in the older days, a hero was generally a man who fought against evil, god like creatures and brave warriors. ... Being a hero suggests that the belief system of the people in the story value honor and loyalty more than anything because of their expectations from Gilgamesh. ... Gilgamesh was very kind-hearted when it came down to his kingdom and shows many signs of being a hero. ...

• Word Count: 985
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Gilgamesh is not only a king, but becomes a hero. ... However, without death his life would be meaningless and the journeys within the epic would disappear. The Epic of Gilgamesh describes the battle of a man's adventure to accepting mortality while trying to find meaning in his life despite the ultimate fate of death. ...

• Word Count: 1026
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School