Tragic Heroes
Timeless Qualities
As human beings, we have traits that are looked up to, no matter what time period, or culture. The qualities that make a hero may change a bit, but being willing to sacrifice yourself, having courage, and being able to overcome an immense challenge are traits that make a hero regardless of culture or time period.
Bravery and courage are thought to be admirable traits to human beings, which is why they are hero traits. One hero that possesses this quality is Gilgamesh. When Gilgamesh goes out to risks his life for his people he has to persuade Endiku to fight and be brave like himself. He states, “If your heart is fearful, throw away fear; if there is terror in it throw away terror. Take your ax in your hand and attack. He who leaves the fight unfinished is not at peace,” (Gilgamesh 20). Gilgamesh is displays his bravery while explaining that Endiku must throw away all his fear and be courageous in order to fight this heinous monster. Having this courage makes Gilgamesh a true hero. Although Hector from the Illiad, is a hero from a different time period and culture he possesses courage as well. Hector is brave even though he is risking his life, and he is not afraid of death. When his wife is pleads him to not fight he tells her, “But I would die of shame to face the men of Troy and the Trojan women trailing their long robes if I would shrink from battle now, a coward… I know to stand up bravely, always to fight in the front ranks of Trojan soldiers, winning my father great glory, glory for myself,” (Homer 376). Hector as a brave and noble man who knows that he must be strong and fight. Even though Hector is from a different time period and culture than Gilgamesh, they are both brave and courageous indicating that these cultures and time periods admire these traits. A quality that is also looked up to regardless of culture or time period is being sacrificial. One hero that possesses this trait is Sibi from the Mahabharata. When
As human beings, we have traits that are looked up to, no matter what time period, or culture. The qualities that make a hero may change a bit, but being willing to sacrifice yourself, having courage, and being able to overcome an immense challenge are traits that make a hero regardless of culture or time period.
Bravery and courage are thought to be admirable traits to human beings, which is why they are hero traits. One hero that possesses this quality is Gilgamesh. When Gilgamesh goes out to risks his life for his people he has to persuade Endiku to fight and be brave like himself. He states, “If your heart is fearful, throw away fear; if there is terror in it throw away terror. Take your ax in your hand and attack. He who leaves the fight unfinished is not at peace,” (Gilgamesh 20). Gilgamesh is displays his bravery while explaining that Endiku must throw away all his fear and be courageous in order to fight this heinous monster. Having this courage makes Gilgamesh a true hero. Although Hector from the Illiad, is a hero from a different time period and culture he possesses courage as well. Hector is brave even though he is risking his life, and he is not afraid of death. When his wife is pleads him to not fight he tells her, “But I would die of shame to face the men of Troy and the Trojan women trailing their long robes if I would shrink from battle now, a coward… I know to stand up bravely, always to fight in the front ranks of Trojan soldiers, winning my father great glory, glory for myself,” (Homer 376). Hector as a brave and noble man who knows that he must be strong and fight. Even though Hector is from a different time period and culture than Gilgamesh, they are both brave and courageous indicating that these cultures and time periods admire these traits. A quality that is also looked up to regardless of culture or time period is being sacrificial. One hero that possesses this trait is Sibi from the Mahabharata. When